Young People Taking Selfies at RAH

The Ultimate Backstage Experience

A unique event for young people who’ve had cancer to get together and enjoy one of our iconic gigs at the Royal Albert Hall in March 2023 for free.

About the event

At the Ultimate Backstage Experience, we’ll welcome you and a plus one to London’s famous Royal Albert Hall, a stunning venue with a unique history and atmosphere.

You’ll meet other young people who’ve also had cancer and get to know them throughout the afternoon.

Together you’ll get the chance to enjoy a behind the scenes tour of the Hall (you might even be lucky enough to hear an artist in soundcheck), as well as dinner backstage before the show.

You’ll then take your place in some of the best seats in the house – in the Stalls next to the stage – to watch the gig in style.

We’ll cover your travel and accommodation costs including a taxi back to the hotel at the end of the night. The next day you will have free time to enjoy London with your guest.

Places are limited so will be allocated via a ballot. Details of who can apply and how to enter are below.

When is it?

The Ultimate Backstage Experience will take place on different days for people who are aged 13-17 and 18-27. There will be two events for under 18s and five for over 18s on the following dates:

Under 18s

  • Thursday 23 March
  • Friday 24 March

Over 18s

  • Monday 20 March
  • Tuesday 21 March
  • Wednesday 22 March
  • Saturday 25 March 
  • Sunday 26 March

The full line-up for each date will probably be announced once the ballot for the Ultimate Backstage Experience has closed. Please do not wait to see which acts are performing before applying. The experience is about more than seeing the gig, so don’t worry about choosing a date based on who you might be going to see.

Who can enter the ballot?

You can apply for the Ultimate Backstage Experience ballot if you:

  • Were diagnosed with cancer between the ages of 13 and 24.
  • Will be between the ages of 13 and 27 on 20 March 2023.
  • Have been treated in the UK.

You must also either:

  • Have finished active cancer treatment during or after March 2021; OR
  • Currently be on maintenance treatment; OR
  • Have had a bone marrow or stem cell transplant between March 2020 and March 2022 and not be on active treatment.

You will also need to:

  • Check with your clinical team that you are well enough to travel to/from London and spend a day at the Royal Albert Hall at an indoor gig with five thousand people.
  • Agree to take a lateral flow test in the week before the gigs (we will post it to you).

If you are successful in the ballot, your guest must:

  • Be aged 18 or above.
  • Not be under medical guidance to avoid enclosed crowded spaces.
  • Be able to support you during the two days with any practical, physical or emotional support, should you need it.
  • Agree to take a lateral flow test in the week before the gigs (we will post it to them).

If you’re under 18 your guest will need to be your parent, guardian or carer. You can’t bring a friend, but you can bring your brother or sister if they’re over 18 and you have permission from your parent/guardian. 

This opportunity is not suitable for anyone who is immunosuppressed and has been advised to avoid enclosed crowded spaces.

It’s not compulsory to have had the Covid-19 vaccinations, but we do strongly suggest you and your guest are vaccinated to reduce your risk of getting seriously ill from Covid-19 and to help protect others. At the event it’s likely that you will be indoors with unvaccinated people.

Please note, we retain the right to tighten medical restrictions nearer the time in the event of a spike in Covid-19 cases and/or change in government guidelines.

How do I apply?

Thank you for your interest in entering the ballot for the Ultimate Backstage Experience. Unfortunately the ballot is now closed.

What happens next?

Once you have entered the ballot, we will contact your clinical team to verify that you are eligible for the event. If you are not eligible, you will be notified.

If your clinical team confirm you are eligible, then you will be entered into the ballot. Tickets will be assigned based on the availability you gave us when you entered the ballot. You will be notified if you have been successful by the end of February. 

Each person who is successful will only be able to attend one night of the Ultimate Backstage Experience. We allocate all nights at once, so unfortunately it is not possible to change the date you are given.

For those who have not been successful, we will also be conducting a ballot for a small waiting list each day. You will be notified if you are on the waiting list.
 

Frequently asked questions

Please find answers to some of our most frequently asked questions about the Ultimate Backstage Experience below. If you can’t find the answer you’re looking for, please contact [email protected]

What are the behavioural criteria?

All young people, their guests, facilitators, Teenage Cancer Trust staff and venue staff have the right to be treated with respect and protected from harm wherever possible. As organisers of the Ultimate Backstage Experience, we want you to get the most out of the event. 

When registering, all participants have agreed the below behaviour criteria for both themselves and their guest in order to provide a safe environment for everyone during the event.

Requirements when attending the Ultimate Backstage Experience:

  • You must remember that you are representing Teenage Cancer Trust and you must always behave sensibly and respectfully.
  • You should comply with reasonable requests for safety and event management from Teenage Cancer Trust staff.
  • You should show respect for each other and to all staff.
  • You must use camera and social media technology responsibly, ensuring that you obtain permission before taking photographs and sharing them across internet platforms.
  • Teenage Cancer Trust actively discourages smoking and vaping. It is not allowed anywhere on site.

The following behaviours are not acceptable:

  • You will not bully, intimidate, harass or act in any way that causes harm or distress – this includes ableism, homophobia, transphobia, racism, sexism or any other behaviour which goes against our aim of creating and promoting an inclusive event.
  • You will not have or use illegal substances or recreational drugs.
  • You will not be verbally or physically aggressive.
  • You will not bully, intimidate, harass or act in any way that causes harm or distress.
  • You will not behave in a way that is a health and safety risk to yourself and others.
  • You will not steal or deliberately damage equipment or property.
  • If you purchase and consume alcohol, you will drink and behave responsibly and will not bring your own drinks from outside of the venue or arrive drunk. 

Failure to follow these criteria may result in being asked to leave the event and you may not be permitted to attend future Teenage Cancer Trust events. Any behaviour that is illegal will result in the Police being called.

This event is very kindly sponsored by our partner Domino’s pizza, who have been helping us bring young people with cancer together since 2015.

We have also received generous gift in kind support from the Royal Albert Hall engagement team to run this event.

Domino's Official Sponsor of the Ultimate Backstage Experience