In a statement, organisers said they were “sad to announce that there will not be a UK festival in 2027”, but were working towards a return in August 2028.
The announcement comes after the charity behind the UK festival faced significant financial difficulties following the cancellation of this year's event.
The 2026 festival was brought to an early end on 28 August after a large sign fell at the site, killing 41-year-old Eastbourne pastor Robert Guanco and injuring six others. Investigations into the circumstances of the accident are ongoing.
In October, organisers told ticket holders that refunds could not be guaranteed, explaining that the festival costs millions of pounds to stage and that substantial costs had already been committed or incurred before the cancellation.
In an email to ticket holders, the charity said it was “not in a financial position to provide payments to ticket holders who might be entitled to receive some refund”.
Ticket holders were given the option of requesting a refund or donating the value of their tickets to help support the charity.
In its latest statement, organisers thanked those who had chosen to donate, saying their generosity was helping “give the Festival a chance at a future”.
The statement said:“With all that Big Church Festival is currently working through, we’re sad to announce that there will not be a UK festival in 2027. But please know we’re working as hard as we can to find a way back for August 2028, so pencil the bank holiday weekend into your diaries, and please continue to pray for a way forward. We are longing to be back together again!”
Despite the pause in the UK, organisers confirmed that Big Church Festival Europe will go ahead from 20 to 22 August 2027.
The European event was announced earlier this year and will be run by a separate charity, independent of the UK organisation.
Explaining the distinction, the statement said:“If you’re wondering how that’s possible, it’s because Big Church Festival Europe is owned and run by a different European charity and is independent of Big Church Festival here in the UK. It shares our name and the same vision: to gather the Church and create a space for people to meet Jesus.”
The UK organisers said they were “excited that the team in Europe will be carrying the Big Church vision in 2027” and encouraged supporters to follow the European festival on social media at @bigchurcheurope.
They also urged supporters to continue praying for the UK festival's return.