Who, what, when, where, and WTF!
Welcome, friends, to the wonderful world of stag weekends.
In this industry report by StagWeb.co.uk, one of the UK’s biggest stag party planners, we deep dive into the stag do statistics from 2024 and look ahead to a massive 2025.
Ready to find out what’s hot and what’s not?
Scroll on!
Attention, Journalists…
If you can’t find the stag do statistics that you’re looking for or you need more quotes or commentary for a story, get in touch with tom.probert@groupia.com.
Stag Do Stats You Can Trust…
StagWeb is one of the UK’s leading stag party providers and has helped send over 700,000 people off on their big pre-wedding weekends since 2002.
2024 Stag Stats: The Highlights…
The When…
Most Popular Months for a Stag Do…
- May
- July
- June
The Where…
- Most Popular UK Destination – Bristol
- Most Popular European Destination – Benidorm
- UK/Europe Split – 51% UK / 49% Europe
The Costs…
- Average Cost of a Stag Do 2024 – £202
- Average Cost of a Stag Do UK – £195
- Average Cost of Stag Do Abroad – £214
The Planning…
- How Far in Advance Do Stags Book – 143 Days (5 Months)
- How Long is the Average Stag Do in the UK – 2 Nights
- How Long is the Average Stag Do in the Abroad – 3 Nights
- Average Stag Do Group Size – 13
2025 Stag Stats: Looking Ahead…
- Most Popular UK Destination 2025 – Bristol
- Most Popular European Destination 2025 – Benidorm
- UK/Europe Split – 41% UK / 59% Europe
Jump To:
- Popular Destinations
- UK vs Europe Stag Stats
- Average Cost
- Average Stag Party Size
- Popular Activities
- Most Popular Month for a Stag Do
- Who Plans the Stag
- Stags vs. Hens
- Stag Do Trends
- Booking a Stag Do?
- How Many Trees Have StagWeb Planted?
10 Most Popular Destinations in 2024
10 Most Popular Destinations in 2025
- Benidorm 🔥
- Bristol 🍺
- Albufeira 🔥
- Prague 🔥
- Tenerife 🔥
- Lisbon 🔥
- Dublin 🍺
- Liverpool 🍺
- Cardiff 🍺
- Edinburgh 🍺
Biggest Risers for 2025
More Stags Heading Abroad in 2025
In 2024, there was almost a 50/50 split between stag weekends in the UK and stag parties abroad.
However, next year, it looks as if more stags will be heading to Europe than staying in the UK.
“With the dreadful UK weather, can you blame stags for eyeing up trips to Spain and Portugal next summer?” said Jamie Birleson, Head of Sales at StagWeb.
“According to our latest stag do statistics, it looks like four out of our five most popular destinations in 2025 will be outside the UK.”
Yes, a whopping 59% of stag parties are eyeing up celebrations overseas as cheap air travel, better weather, and lower costs when they’re there prove far too appealing.
Bristol No.1 UK Stag Destination
“Bristol was the most popular stag do destination for 2024 by far,” said Tom Keenan, StagWeb’s Bristol Specialist.
“From the bars and pubs of King Street and Harbourside to hundreds of stag activities to choose from, you won’t have a dull moment here.”
According to StagWeb’s stag do booking stats, Bristol was almost twice as popular as the next UK destination – that’s how good it is.
Benidorm No.1 European Destination
“Do I really need to explain why Benidorm is a hugely popular destination for stag parties?” said Simon Old, StagWeb’s Benidorm Specialist.
“It’s sunny for a start, plus it’s got an insane number of bars and an all-round great atmosphere.
“It’s definitely not pretentious and stags are welcomed with open arms.”
Where Do Stags Go? UK vs Europe…
- 2022: UK 63% vs 37% Europe
- 2023: UK 52% vs 48% Europe
- 2024: UK 51% vs 49% Europe
- 2025: UK 41% vs 59% Europe
The 2025 Split…
- UK – 41%
- Spain – 24%
- Eastern Europe – 11%
- Portugal – 10%
- Ireland – 5%
- Germany 5%
- Other – 4%
“The 2025 stats are a forecast, and I would expect it to be more of an even split by the time it rolls around,” said StagWeb’s Creative Director, Jon Stainer.
“However, more stags are looking at trips abroad because it can work out cheaper when you’re out there.
“Flights are ridiculously cheap these days, some are even cheaper than getting a train in the UK, plus the cost when you’re in places like Benidorm and Prague is chalk and cheese compared to Britain.”
Yes, according to StagWeb’s stag do stats for 2025, over a third of groups are looking at going to the sunny shores of Spain and Portugal.
This is a massive shift from pre-pandemic stats, with the popularity of Spain and Portugal more than doubling.
“Pre-pandemic, a lot more people were heading to Eastern Europe,” said Jon Stainer.
“However, due to people searching for some sun, plus the war in Ukraine causing a bit of uncertainty in the region, we saw a huge shift towards these Spanish and Portuguese hotspots.
“People are starting to go back now, but not quite to the same levels as before.”
Average Cost Per Person
- 2015 – £139
- 2016 – £143
- 2017 – £157
- 2018 – £159
- 2019 – £156
- 2020 – COVID
- 2021 – COVID
- 2022 – £174
- 2023 – £193
- 2024 – £201
*Cost includes accommodation, activities, and nightlife. It does not include transport or extras like food and drink, fancy dress, etc.
Average UK Cost in 2024 – £195
Average Cost for Ireland 2024 – £216
Average Cost Abroad 2024 – £213
Talking about the budget and who pays for the stag do isn’t everyone’s favourite thing to do, but it is important.
With prices increasing year-on-year, it’s important to know what people can afford and where you want to channel the funds.
In 2024, on average, stags are spending £10 per person more than hens.
Average Stag Do Size
- 2022 – 13
- 2023 – 13
- 2024 – 13
- 2025 – 18
🧑 Smallest Stag Party Size 2024: 4 to Bath
🧑 Biggest UK Stag Party Size 2024: 40 to Newcastle
🧑 Biggest Stag Party Abroad Size 2024: 33 to Lisbon
Whilst it appears that the average size of stag parties will shoot up in 2025, this won’t actually be the case according to StagWeb’s Head of Events, Ellie Silk.
“We find at least three people, on average, drop out from the original invite list. So, even though it looks like stag parties will be bigger next year, in reality, a few of the flaky mates will drop out between now and then.”
In 2024, StagWeb had a group of 40 heading on a Newcastle stag do, whilst we had 33 stags fly abroad for a big Lisbon stag weekend.
Given the average stag do group size is 13, you might not need to stress about herding 33 stags abroad but *if* you did, we happen to have a handy guide for booking a stag do for a big group.
Most Popular Activities 2024
- Go Karting
- Bar Crawl
- Bubble Football
- Paintball Battles
- Lap Dancing
- Quad Biking
- Clay Shooting
- Beer Bike
- Comedy Club
- Target Shooting
Most Popular Activities 2025
- Go Karting
- Bar Crawl
- Bubble Football
- Quad Biking
- Paintball Battles
- Lad Dancing
- Clay Shooting
- Beer Bike
- Comedy Club
- Bottomless Brunch
“Guys want competitive action on their weekends which is why go karting, bubble football and paintballing are always hugely popular,” said Jamie Birleson, Head of Sales at StagWeb.
“After a night on the town, it’s a great way to blow the cobwebs away and get ready for another day of celebrating.”
Yes, classics are classics for a reason… they’re simply the best!
Go Karting has been the most popular stag do activity for well over a decade and it doesn’t look as if that’s going to change anytime soon.
Looking for something different? No dramas, not everyone wants to follow the crowd.
As well as our most popular activities, we have a load of unusual experiences to make your weekend totally unique and 100% legendary.
Most Popular Month for a Stag Do 2024🏆
- January – 1%
- February – 5%
- March – 11%
- April – 12%
- May – 18%
- June – 14%
- July – 15%
- August – 9%
- September – 8%
- October – 4%
- November – 3%
- December – 0%
“70% of stag dos occur from March to July for multiple reasons,” said Jamie Birleson.
“Firstly, the majority of weddings happen in the summer months, so most guys try and get their stag weekends in at least two months beforehand.
“Also, when schools break up for summer, prices for flights shoot through the roof, so it’s always wise to head out before then so you have more money for the beer kitty.”
Who Plans the Stag Do?
- Best Man – 56%
- Head Organiser – 15%
- Groom – 11%
- Other – 10%
- Groomsman – 8%
“More often than not, it’ll be the best man who organises the weekend, however, we’ve seen a big rise in grooms getting involved in their own stag planning,” said Head of Events, Ellie Silk.
“Whilst a lot of groups like to keep it a surprise from the main man, a lot of grooms would rather get involved, particularly if they’re going abroad.”
Yes, in spite of the rise of the groom planning his own stag, it’s still one of the highest priorities in the best man’s list of duties.
Stags Are Less Organised than Hens!
- How Far in Advance Do Hens Book – 173 Days (6 Months)
- How Far in Advance Do Stags Book – 143 Days (5 Months)
Stags are officially less organised than hens… (shock!).
“To be honest, booking five months before you’re due to go is pretty good, however, we’d advise doing it earlier than that,” said Jamie Birleson.
“If this is the average, that means it’s when most people are vying for the same hotels, apartments, activities and nightlife options.
“The early stag books the best stag weekend, so if you can steal a march on the rest of the groups, you’ll land the best options and time slots.
“The last thing you want to do is leave it last-minute and end up with a paintball session at 8 am the morning after that big night out.”
How Do Stags Compare to Hens?
Be sure to check out our latest hen party stats report over on our sister site GoHen.com.
The Hottest Stag Do Trends in 2024
What people are Googling in the weird and wonderful world of stag weekends…
- Stag Do Fancy Dress Themes – Up 200%
- Bad Shirts for Stag Do – Up 190%
- Stag Do Abroad – Up 80%
- Good Stag Do Locations – Up 70%
What we discovered from what stags have been Googling in 2024 is they want to head abroad and they want to look as bad as possible while they’re there.
Yes, searches for bad shirts and stag fancy dress have skyrocketed as people dress down for the groom’s big European celebration.
Booking a Stag or Know Someone Who Is?
If you or anyone you know is booking a stag do… hi there.
As you can see from our stag do statistics above, we’re the go-to guys if you’re planning a big celebration in the UK or Europe.
Head to the home of legendary stag weekends today and get the ball rolling on the main man’s big weekend.
How Many Trees Have StagWeb Planted?
For every person who goes to an event with StagWeb or one of our other brands, we plant a tree.
Since we started our initiative, we’ve planted nearly 100,000 trees and funded seven projects.
Be sure to check out our forest and see for yourself the work we’ve been doing to reduce our carbon footprint.
