Choose the right outdoor stage using our Stage Hire Calculator.
Our Stage Hire Calculator is designed to be the starting point for planning your outdoor stage. It gives a fast, practical indication of the stage size and type likely to suit your event, based on audience scale and use case.
However, selecting the right stage is about more than dimensions alone. This page acts as the ultimate guide to choosing the correct outdoor stage, helping you understand the factors that influence size, specification, layout and budget, so there are no surprises later in the planning process.
Use the Stage Hire Calculator to;
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Estimate a suitable stage size for your audience and event type.
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Understand the difference between small, medium and large outdoor stages.
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Sense-check whether a mobile trailer stage or a larger festival structure is required.
Important: The calculator is a guide, not a final recommendation. Careful technical planning is essential to ensure the stage works safely, practically and commercially for your event.
How to choose the best stage for your outdoor event.
What really affects the cost of outdoor stage hire?
Stage hire budgets vary widely, and size is only one part of the equation. Key cost factors include:
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Size required
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Length of hire
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Set-Up times
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Key dates
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Location
Stage Size
Small trailer stages, larger arc-roof stages, truck stages or festival-scale structures.
Period of Hire
Single-day events vs multi-day hire with dark days
Key Dates
Bank holidays, school holidays and peak summer weekends often command higher rates.
Infrascructure
Catwalks, PA wings, cow sheds, back-of-house structures, banner frames and sponsor signage.
Installation Times
Fast-deploy trailer stages vs multi-day builds.
Travel & Logistics
Distance from our Cheshire base, delivery across Manchester, the North and the Midlands.
A realistic budget will also allow some flexibility if technical requirements increase once artists, production or sponsors are confirmed.
How many people need to see the stage at the same time?
This is usually the capacity of the space in front of the stage, not the total footfall across the site.
Factors to consider include:
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Depth and width of the audience area.
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Sightlines over distance (how far back clear views can be maintained).
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Audience movement and turnover throughout the day.
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Layout of barriers, fencing, and circulation routes.
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Safety and licensing limits set by the local authority.
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Type of event (e.g. seated, standing, or mixed use).
Accurate planning ensures the right stage size, PA coverage, and crowd management approach for a safe and enjoyable event.
Production Riders & Artist Scheduling
This is one of the most critical and most frequently missed considerations when choosing a stage.
Cow sheds & back-of-house space:
Generally, trailer stages under approximately 11 m wide cannot accommodate cow sheds (additional side and rear structures) used to:
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House monitor engineers
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Store show-ready backline and equipment
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Enable fast, professional changeovers of tour level, multi headline shows.
Without cowsheds:
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Control positions may need to be on-stage or in separate gazebos/marquees
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Equipment cannot be fully pre-built and rolled on
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Multiple headline-level artists become harder to manage.
How do organisers programme multiple bands using a 7m stage?
Most small to medium festivals using 7–10 m stages plan for:
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One headline artist with equipment remaining on stage
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Support acts setting up around that kit during changeovers
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Monitors run on the stage, or in a gazebo to the side.
Problems can arise when:
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Multiple high-profile artists are booked
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Each demands off-stage build, storage and sound checks
At this point, organisers face a difficult choice: upgrade the stage or compromise on artist expectations. Early planning avoids this entirely.
Branding, Sponsorship & Visual Impact
Your stage is the visual focal point of the event and a key sponsorship asset.
Consider:
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Banner positions (header, PA wings, back wall, front valance)
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Sponsor visibility in crowd photography and video
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Integration with wider sponsor packages
Choosing the right stage size and configuration ensures branding looks intentional and premium, not squeezed in as an afterthought.
We
build
stages.
Outdoor Stage Hire Across:
Manchester, The North and the Midlands
We provide professional outdoor stage hire throughout Manchester, Cheshire, the North and the Midlands, with:
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Fast-deploy mobile trailer stages from our in-house fleet.
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Larger arc-roof, truck and festival stages via our trusted partner network.
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Clear communication, realistic guidance and dependable delivery.
Whether you are planning a community event, corporate production or multi-artist concert, the right stage starts with informed decisions, not guesswork.
Use the calculator.
Then talk to us.
Our Stage Hire Calculator is the ideal first step. From there, our team can help you:
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Validate the stage size
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Check site access and feasibility
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Align production requirements with budget
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Avoid last-minute upgrades or compromises
Use the calculator above, then contact us for a clear, practical recommendation tailored to your event.
