Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! You can purchase bursary tickets in the tickets page.

No! All drinks will have a non-alcoholic alternative and one of the bars will be specifically non-alcoholic. All entertainment throughout the ball is designed to be enjoyed by both tipsy and sober guests!

Yes! At the moment, we expect that the ball will include a dedicated quiet room, a quieter alcohol-free bar, and a relaxed cinema. We are also planning for the ball to have a silent disco, in which you'll have control over the volume of music you wish to dance to. This will be updated once we have confirmed the performers at the ball, with more specific volume information on each page.

We do not anticipate the presence of strobe lights in the majority of the ball and any walkways will not contain them. This will be further confirmed when we release the accessible map of the ball. The ball may also contain fireworks or other pyrotechnics but there will be clear notice when this is going to occur.

Yes! The full ball will be clearly signposted in a large and readable font.

Yes. Currently we expect two photographers to be in attendance at the ball. By buying a ticket you consent for appropriate photos to be used for marketing and engagement purposes. If you are not comfortable, with photos being taken, please get in touch.

Yes! Churchill hires a larger amount of security than other may balls to ensure that each guest gets the best possible experience. A security team will be present throughout the night to ensure that unauthorised visitors do not enter the site, and to alert the committee to potential hazards.

No. Because of the presence of the alcohol, this event is only open to people over the age of 18. We will be checking IDs at the door.

Yes! Queue jumps are optional to buy for an additional fee of £5. We may also be able to offer free queue jumps as part of our accessibility commitment, and in some cases we may be able to offer queue jumps for the food trucks or toilets (although we do not anticipate long queues). Please contact us if you believe you require this.

We are attempting to source a seated and accessible viewing area for the headliner, although this is dependent on many factors outside of our control. We'll update this once we know more.

Yes! We will have first aiders from St John's Ambulance will be available throughout the night. Additionally, our porters are able to assist for minor injuries.

Yes, any necessary medication can be taken into the ball. However, please contact us before the ball, such that it is not confiscated by security.

Churchill May Ball has a strict no-drugs policy. Anyone attempting to bring drugs into the ball or under the influence of drugs, will be refused entry without a refund.

The rules for smoking will be the same as those in the college's normal operating hours. The college has some designated smoking areas, and smoking or vaping is otherwise prohibited inside the site.

While alcoholic beverages are available at the event, excessive drinking and intoxication are not acceptable. We encourage responsible consumption of alcohol. Anyone deemed to be excessively intoxicated will either be asked to leave the event or asked to stay in an isolated area for some time, for their safety and the safety of others. The committee reserve the right to ask anyone to leave at any time, and no refund will be provided in this case. More information on this is available in our terms and conditions.

For health and safety reasons, the committee has decided to use no glasses or crockery during the ball. You can read about this further in our sustainability policy.

A clear evacuation plan has been developed in case of a fire as part of our health and safety policy, and a team of fire wardens will be present throughout in case of this occurrence. We do not anticipate any emergencies and you will be protected if any do occur.

We do not anticipate this to be a problem, because all guests will be easily identifiable, and Churchill has CCTV throughout the building. If you are concerned about this, please let one of us know and we can discuss additional measures to ensure your safety.

Call one of the committee immediately, or alert a May Ball worker. If you feel uncomfortable because of a particular person, we will be able to separate the offending person from you no questions asked. We have a no tolerance policy for harassment of any kind.

Yes, there is an accessible toilet in the centre of college. The location for this is in the Churchill site map, and will be included in the map of the May Ball when it is released.