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Press pass: what it is, who issues it and how to get one

“Press pass” is used for two things: a general press card that identifies you as a journalist, and an event pass that an organiser issues after accreditation. In the UK, general press passes come from UKPCA gatekeepers, employers and associations such as the FJA; event passes come only from the organiser.

If you are looking for a press pass for a specific concert, match or festival, you need accreditation from that organiser. If you want an ID that proves you work as a journalist, you need a press card. This page explains both and how to get them.

Apply for your press card Check the requirements

Press pass from the FJA, front side with sample data

Two kinds of press pass

Knowing which one you need saves time.

The personal press pass (press card)

Identifies you as a journalist in general
Valid for months or years
Issued by a gatekeeper, employer or association
Example: UK Press Card, FJA press card

The event press pass (accreditation)

Gives access to one event, venue or season
Issued only by the organiser
Usually requires a commission and an application in advance
Example: festival media wristband, match-day press pass

Where to get a press pass in the UK

The main issuers of personal press passes.

Issuer	For whom	Cost
UKPCA gatekeepers (e.g. NUJ, CIoJ, BAJ, BPPA)	Professional newsgatherers working in the UK	From free with membership to £87 + £20 for non-members (BAJ)
Employers (e.g. BBC, ITV, Reuters)	Staff and regular contributors	Usually free for staff
FJA	Adults who work journalistically on a regular basis, including part-time and online	€95 for 12 months, no membership
Novelty and template websites	Nobody – not checked, not verifiable	Free to cheap, but no value as ID

Sources: UKPCA, NUJ, BAJ, October 2026.

How to get an event press pass

The same process works for most events.

Find the event’s media or press page and the deadline.

Get a commission from an editor or prepare your own coverage plan.

Apply with your press card number and examples of your work.

Collect your pass at the media desk and follow the media rules.

Guides for specific events: concerts and festivals, sport, trade fairs and press conferences.

What a press pass does not do

Avoid the most common misunderstanding.

A personal press pass is not an entry ticket. The UK Press Card Authority itself says its card grants no special rights over any other member of the public, and the Sports Journalists’ Association reminds journalists that no press card guarantees entry to a match. Organisers decide on access, police decide on cordons, and venues decide on photography. What a good press pass does is make you credible and checkable – which is why verification matters. Our cards carry a QR code linked to a verification page; see press card verification.

Which press pass is right for you?

A short guide.

Staff journalist

Use your employer’s ID or UK Press Card; add an association card for freelance or international work if needed.

Professional freelancer

Check the UK Press Card via the NUJ, CIoJ, BAJ or BPPA first; the FJA card is an alternative without membership.

Part-time or online

The FJA press card is designed for you. See requirements.

Six mistakes that cost journalists a press pass

Most refusals have simple causes. Avoid these and your chances improve noticeably.

Applying too late

Large events close press registration weeks in advance. Put deadlines in your calendar as soon as an event is announced.

No clear outlet

“Freelance” alone is not enough. Name the outlet that has commissioned you or the outlets you will pitch, and attach a commissioning email if you have one.

No examples

Organisers want to see comparable coverage. Two or three links to recent, relevant work say more than a long cover letter.

Asking for everything

Request what you actually need – one press ticket, a photo position or an interview slot. Modest, specific requests are easier to approve.

No follow-up

If you received a pass, send the organiser the published piece. If you did not publish, explain why. Organisers remember who delivered.

Treating the pass as a ticket

A press pass is for work. Bringing friends, staying for the after-show or leaving without coverage makes a second pass unlikely.

On the day: using your press pass

Practical points that make event work smoother.

Collect your pass at the press or media desk, not at the general box office, and bring photo ID.
Carry your press card as well – some desks use it to confirm your identity.
Ask about restricted areas, photo positions, filming rules and interview times when you collect your pass.
Wear the pass visibly but take it off when you leave the venue, so that it cannot be misused.
Keep the press officer’s mobile number for questions during the event.

Frequently asked questions

What is a press pass?

Either a personal press card that identifies you as a journalist, or an event-specific pass issued by an organiser after accreditation.

How do I get a press pass in the UK?

For a personal press pass, apply to a UKPCA gatekeeper or an association such as the FJA. For an event pass, apply to the organiser for accreditation.

Can anyone get a press pass?

No. Reputable issuers require journalistic work. The FJA card requires you to be 18+ and to publish journalistic work regularly.

Is a press pass the same as a press card?

Often yes. Press pass, press card, press badge and journalist ID are commonly used for the same kind of personal ID.

How much does a press pass cost?

The FJA press card costs €95 for 12 months. UK Press Cards range from free for eligible union members to around £87 plus an admin fee.

Does a press pass get me into events for free?

No. Organisers decide on access and press tickets, usually after an accreditation request.

Is a press pass the same everywhere in the UK?

No. Every organiser issues its own passes with its own rules. A pass for one festival or stadium gives you no access anywhere else. Your press card helps you apply for these passes but does not replace them.

Can I sell or give away a press pass I cannot use?

No. Passes are personal and issued for coverage. If you cannot attend, tell the press office as early as possible so that the place can go to another journalist.

Do I need a press card to get a press pass?

Not always. Many organisers accept a commissioning email, a staff ID or links to your published work instead. A press card makes your request quicker to check, especially if you are freelance or work for a smaller outlet.

How do press passes work in the USA?

In the US, there is no national press card. Cities such as New York issue their own press cards, Washington institutions accredit separately, and event organisers issue their own passes. See press credentials in the USA.

What does a press pass look like?

Event passes are usually laminated cards or wristbands showing the event, the word Press or Media and colour codes for access areas. Press cards show the holder’s name, photo, issuer and expiry date – see our press card sample.

Sources and last review

Last reviewed: October 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice.