Reading and Leeds Festival: How to buy tickets for 2017

Eminem has been named as the final headliner for the Reading and Leeds festivals, joining Kasabian and Muse for the August bank holiday weekend.

It's his third headline appearance at the festival, following previous performances in 2013 and 2001.

"Eminem returning to Reading and Leeds is beyond exciting," says festival boss Melvin Benn. "His 2013 headline performance was incredible and I can't wait to have him back."

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The rapper performed some of his best-known songs, including Toy Soldiers and Stan, when he headlined four years ago. "Fans are now speculating as to the chances of Eminem dropping new material by the summer," says NME.

Other acts announced today include Haim, Migos, Giggs, You Me At Six and Blossoms.

When is the festival?

It's over the summer bank holiday weekend, which runs from Friday 25 August to Sunday 27 August.

The famously raucous event is split over two venues in two different cities, with Reading's Friday performers playing on Saturday in Leeds, Saturday performers on Sunday and Sunday's performers on Friday.

When do tickets go on sale?

Tickets have been on sale since August. Weekend camping tickets cost £213 and can be bought through several official vendors, including See Tickets and Ticketmaster. "We do not sell tickets at the event site and do not buy from ticket touts as you are unlikely to get in with whatever they sell you," warn the organisers.

As with most modern festivals, there is a variety of sleeping options available. Campervans, tepees and the rather exotic-sounding "Pink Moon luxury camping space" are all on offer for a slightly higher price.

For an extra £35, campers can also avoid the traditional (hideous) festival toilet experience. The "Seat of Luxury" upgrade offers "high tech, fresh water toilets that include hot water facilities, vanity mirrors, hairdryers and straighteners and attendants who keep the toilets spick and span".

How can I get a ticket if they sell out?

Reading and Leeds Festival tickets are much easier to get hold of than those over at Worthy Farm, but there are still a number of others ways to attend should the unthinkable occur.

Free tickets are available to the delightfully named Cats and Hats (campsite assistance teams and helpful arena teams), who effectively work at the festival in exchange for entry and accommodation at a separate workers' campsite area – generally with a better standard of facilities.

A number of charities, including Oxfam, Water Aid and Amnesty International, also offer free admission in return for eight hours' work per day. Jobs requiring music-lovers to help set up or dismantle staging before and after the festival could also mean a free ticket without any missed performances.