How Many Security Staff Do I Need for My Event?

Start with your licence conditions

If the venue or event is licensed, check the premises licence conditions or the conditions agreed with the council. Some name a fixed number of door supervisors on certain nights. Others set a ratio, for example a minimum number on the door plus one more for every set number of customers. Whatever the conditions say is the minimum you must provide.

Then look at the event itself

• Capacity: how many people are expected, and how many could be on site at the busiest moment.
• Entrances and exits: each entry point that is open needs staffing, and searching or ticket checks slow entry and need more people.
• Alcohol: events where alcohol is served usually need more crowd-facing staff, especially later in the event.
• Layout: multiple rooms, floors, outdoor areas, stages, VIP or backstage areas and bars each add positions to cover.
• Audience and type of event: a seated corporate dinner is very different from a late-night music event or a sporting fixture.
• Duration: long events need cover for breaks, and set-up and close may need security too.
• Specific risks: high-profile guests, valuable equipment, previous incidents or a local issue.

Use a risk assessment

Organisers are expected to assess the risks of their event and plan for them. For larger events, the council or its safety advisory group may ask to see an event management plan that includes security arrangements. Many organisers use the Purple Guide, the industry guidance for outdoor events, as a reference.

The aim is to have enough people in the right places: on the entrances, around bars and busy areas, available to respond to incidents and able to manage the end of the event safely.

Upcoming rules for larger venues and events

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, often called Martyn’s Law, will require certain venues and events expecting 200 or more people to take steps to prepare for and reduce the impact of a terrorist attack, with further requirements at 800 or more. It is being brought in after an implementation period, so check the latest government guidance for when it applies to you.

If you are still not sure

Share your capacity, layout, timings and licence conditions with your security provider and ask them to explain their proposal: where each person will be and why. A good provider will advise rather than simply quote the largest number.