‘Victorious Festival’ wraps up a landmark year by donating its highest ever annual charitable donation of £173,484 while continuing to drive substantial economic growth for Portsmouth – demonstrating how commercial success can go hand in hand with long-term community benefit.
Charity Partnerships Powered by Music
A record £173,484 was donated in 2025, bringing the festival’s total charitable contributions since 2014 to over £926,370. The funding supports organisations championing mental health, accessibility, wellbeing, education, grassroots sport and more, including Tonic Music for Mental Health, Read Easy, Dive Ability, British Red Cross Gaza Appeal, Arms Around The Child, The Roberts Centre and many more. For the full list of charities and good causes donated to, please see their website.
By supporting both established charities and smaller community organisations, Victorious continues to have an impact across Portsmouth’s social and cultural life and further afield.
It’s not just about monetary donations – Behind the scenes, Victorious expanded its food waste initiative in partnership with the Portsmouth & Southsea Food Support Network and Friday Fridge.
In 2025 alone, surplus festival food was transformed into nearly 500 nutritious meals, supporting around 200 local families.
Jim Campbell BEM, Friday Fridge Leader, said: “Victorious 2025 donated food that helped feed nearly 200 families – people who would otherwise have gone hungry. The whole network, and everyone we’ve been able to help, is immensely grateful.”
Building on two successful years, the team remains committed to continuing and growing the program annually.
Supporting Portsmouth’s Cultural Future
A standout focus of Victorious’ 2025 community support has been its contribution to Portsmouth Creates, supporting cultural infrastructure, talent development and access to the arts across the city. The Portsmouth Creates team have now set their sights on a bid to have Portsmouth crowned City of Culture 2029 and Victorious couldn’t be more excited to support them on this journey.
Victorious also supported Portsmouth Pride, which last year was the proud host of UK Pride, reinforcing the Victorious Team’s long-standing commitment to inclusive cultural events and supporting Portsmouth’s growing reputation as a progressive & welcoming city.
Championing Local Talent & Businesses
Victorious remains committed to uplifting local artists and independent businesses. Its Road to Victorious competition, exclusive to PO postcode performers, continues to provide festival slots, mentoring and national exposure. With a new finalist showcase introduced in 2025 at the Wedgewood Rooms, and another planned for 2026 – Road to Victorious only gets better!
2025’s winner Mackenzie said: ‘‘This experience was every bit as incredible as I’d hoped, and I can’t thank the whole team enough. At every turn, they made sure I was comfortable and got to make the most of every second, something that I will forever be grateful for.”
To date, Victorious has created over 2,000 performance opportunities for local artists, helping emerging talent access world-class stages in their home city.
Ben Miles, Co-Founder and Head of Live Production, said: “Supporting local and unsigned talent has always been at the heart of Victorious. We’re proud to support the next generation of musicians and give something back to the scene that shaped us.”
Victorious also continues to support local businesses by providing subsidised trading opportunities for PO postcode caterers and local creative market traders, alongside awards that offer free festival pitches to standout local businesses. Past winners of The Neighbourhood Eats Award include Southsea Deli, Three Cuts & Natty’s Jerk, the latter who are now expanding nationally.
An Impactful & Award-Winning Year
2025 accolades include:
Winner – Live Music Event of the year, Access All Area Awards
Shortlisted – Major Festival of the Year, The Live Awards
Shortlisted – Large Festival of the Year & Marketing Campaign of the Year, UK Festival Awards
Alongside taking home the coveted Live Music Event of the Year award at the Access All Areas Awards – beating stiff competition from BST Hyde Park and the Montreal Jazz Festival – Victorious has continued to deliver significant wins for the local economy.
In 2025 alone, Victorious Festival generated more than £27 million for the city, contributing to a total economic impact of £159.59 million since 2014, with local businesses, hotels, retailers and suppliers all benefiting from the event.
Looking Ahead
As Victorious looks ahead to 2026, its mission remains rooted in community, creativity and lasting positive impact.
Two of Victorious’ main charity partners for 2026 are The Lord Mayor’s Charity Appeal, which is supporting 50 smaller charities and organisations across the city, and George’s Rockstars, a charity delivering music therapy to children in hospitals across Hampshire, Sussex and Dorset.
Inspired by six-year-old George’s experience of music therapy during leukaemia treatment, Amy O’Shaughnessy, Founder of George’s Rockstars, said:
“Victorious Festival’s support is genuinely life-changing for the children we work with. Music can lift spirits, reduce anxiety and help children express emotions they can’t put into words. This partnership is a powerful commitment to using music to change lives.”
With headline sets from Richard Ashcroft, The Black Keys and Kasabian already announced for 2026, the festival is set to build on another record-breaking year, delivering unforgettable experiences while continuing to give back to its hometown.
For further information and tickets for this year’s Victorious Festival, visit victoriousfestival.co.uk.
