Glastonbury festival organiser dismisses rumours that Madonna will headline in 2027

News imageReuters Madonna, wearing purple sunglasses and pink gloves, performing during a surprise concert in Times Square in New York City in JuneReuters
Madonna has hinted that she will perform in the UK next year, but has not said where

Glastonbury organiser Emily Eavis has said the festival has booked its headliners for next summer - but scotched rumours that Madonna will be among them.

Asked about the 2027 line-up and the speculation that the Queen of Pop would make her Glastonbury debut, Eavis told Katie Razzall on BBC Radio 4's PM programme: "No, it's definitely not Madonna, I'll tell you that.

"But we have got three [other] headliners and we're very excited about it - it's all coming together really well," Eavis added.

And when asked about the possibility of a performance from Taylor Swift, Eavis laughed and said she didn't want to discuss the line-up any more.

News imageReuters Emily Eavis, organiser of the annual Glastonbury Festival, officially opens the gates at Worthy Farm for the Glastonbury Festival, in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 26, 2024Reuters
Emily Eavis said she "can't wait to get back" after the festival's year off

Madonna is yet to play the UK's biggest festival, and the rumour mill started grinding in June when the star hinted to BBC talk show host Graham Norton that was planning something big in the UK next summer.

Speaking about the ensuing speculation, Eavis said: "Pretty much 95% of the stories [about Glastonbury] you read are not true, and rumours are pretty much always wrong.

"But the good news is that we've got our headliners and we're cracking on, and we just can't wait to get back."

According the Sun, Madonna could be heading for a record-breaking three-night stint at London's Hyde Park instead, although that remains to be confirmed.

The pop superstar, 67, recently walked out with the original Ronaldo and Ronaldinho to perform during the colourful half-time show at the recent Fifa Men's World Cup final.

'Recognise the arts'

Eavis was on the PM programme on Friday to discuss arts funding and her hopes that new Prime Minister Andy Burnham will back music education in schools and the "crumbling" smaller music venues where many future Glastonbury headliners start out.

"I'm really hoping that Andy Burnham gets right behind the arts," she said.

"Obviously, we're a nation of makers and creators and vision makers and world changers, and it's what we do so so well.

"And I really am hoping that he will recognise the arts and music as being a huge asset to Britain. It's what we do best, it is what we are."

A spokesperson for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport told the BBC it was "under no illusions about the financial issues facing the culture sector" and was "committed to supporting them during this difficult time".

Last year's Glastonbury festival was headlined by The 1975, Neil Young and Olivia Rodrigo, with Sir Rod Stewart in the legends slot.

The event was rested for a fallow year this summer but will return in June 2027, with tickets expected to go on sale in November.