How much do team building events cost? For UK companies in 2026, a simple hosted activity often starts at around £20 to £45 per person. A more produced mobile team building event commonly sits around £45 to £90 per person. A full away day with venue hire, catering, travel, staffing and production can reach £90 to £180+ per person.
The final quote depends on group size, location, activity choice, timings, venue requirements and what the supplier includes. A £50 per person quote can be good value if it covers hosts, kit, setup and travel. It can be poor value if you still need to pay separately for a venue, AV, catering and extra staffing.
Typical UK team building cost ranges
Most corporate teams should start with a per person guide, then check whether the event has a minimum charge. Minimum charges matter because the same hosts, kit, transport and planning time may be needed for 18 people as for 40 people.
As a working guide, short indoor energisers and simple hosted games are usually the lowest-cost option. Mobile activities with trained hosts, props, scoring, setup and pack down sit in the middle. Larger outdoor events, multi activity days, dragon boat racing, company fun days and away days cost more because they need more staff, more space and more logistics.
If your budget is fixed, tell the supplier early. A good proposal can then adjust the format, running time, venue plan or number of activities instead of forcing the wrong event into the wrong budget.
What changes the price of a team building event?
The activity is only one part of the cost. The quote also reflects the time and people needed to deliver the event properly. For a hosted corporate event, that can include planning support, an event manager, instructors, hosts, equipment, transport, setup time, pack down, scoring, risk checks and wet weather planning for outdoor formats.
- Group size: larger groups often get a lower per person activity rate, but may need extra zones, hosts or PA support.
- Location: central London, remote venues and hard-to-access sites can increase travel, parking and delivery time.
- Duration: a one-hour conference energiser costs less than a half-day challenge or full away day.
- Venue needs: outdoor activities may need land, power, toilets, changing space, water access or wet weather backup. Indoor activities may need room hire, ceiling height, AV or breakout space.
- Catering and drinks: teas, coffees, lunch, evening food and drinks packages can become a large share of the budget.
- Branding and bespoke content: custom questions, branded scoreboards, awards, printed materials or themed rounds need extra planning time.
When comparing prices, ask each supplier what is included and what is excluded. A cheaper headline price can move above a higher quote once travel, VAT, venue hire, lunch and AV are added.
Not sure what your budget should cover?
After you have listed the likely cost drivers, NewWave can help you separate must-haves from optional extras so your quote is easier to compare.
Activity only or full away day?
An activity-only event is usually best when you already have a suitable office, hotel room, conference space or outdoor site. You pay mainly for the event team, equipment and delivery. This works well for indoor gameshows, murder mysteries, creative workshops, quizzes, race nights and short conference energisers.
A full away day has more moving parts. The budget may need to cover venue hire, daytime catering, an activity, AV, signage, accommodation, transport, evening entertainment and an event manager. If people are travelling from several offices, the cheapest activity may not create the lowest total cost. A venue near good rail links can save time, mileage and overnight stays.
If you are still choosing the format, it helps to compare indoor and outdoor options before asking for prices. NewWave has a guide to indoor vs outdoor team building activities that can help you decide what type of space and backup plan you need.
Team building event cost guide for UK companies
Use these bands as a planning guide before requesting a tailored quote. Prices vary by group size, location, date, supplier inclusions and VAT treatment.
| Event type | Typical planning range | Often includes | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short conference energiser | £20 to £45 per person | Host, simple activity, light kit, short running time | Room layout, AV, whether travel is included |
| Hosted indoor activity | £35 to £85 per person | Hosts, props, scoring, setup and pack down | Minimum charges for small teams |
| Food or drink workshop | £35 to £100 per person | Facilitator, ingredients, equipment and guided session | Dietary requirements, venue kitchen access, drinks limits |
| Outdoor or active event | £45 to £110 per person | Instructors, activity kit, safety briefing and event structure | Land hire, wet weather plan, toilets, power and parking |
| Multi activity day | £70 to £150+ per person | Several activity zones, more staff, rotations and event management | Site access, extra build time, PA, first aid and catering |
| Full away day with venue | £90 to £180+ per person | Activity plus meeting space, catering and wider event planning | VAT, transport, accommodation, evening entertainment and AV |
The cheapest option is not always the best fit. The right comparison is the total delivered cost for the day your team will actually attend.
A simple way to build your budget
Start with the number of people attending, then separate the activity cost from the event-day costs around it. This stops the activity budget being swallowed by lunch, room hire or transport later.
For example, an 80-person team might set aside £4,000 to £7,200 for a hosted activity at £50 to £90 per person. If the event needs an external venue with daytime catering, another £3,000 to £8,000 may be realistic depending on location, venue style and catering level. Add VAT where it applies and allow a small contingency for late numbers, parking, extra AV or longer venue access.
For a company away day, plan the budget in the same order as the day runs: arrival refreshments, meeting space, activity, lunch, afternoon session, drinks, evening entertainment, transport and accommodation if needed. If the numbers are not final, ask for a quote that shows how the price changes at likely attendance points, such as 60, 80 and 100 guests.
Planning an away day budget?
If your numbers or venue costs are still moving, ask NewWave to price a few attendance scenarios so finance can approve a realistic range.
VAT, staff party rules and finance checks
Many corporate event prices are quoted excluding VAT, so check the VAT line before you send a proposal for approval. The standard UK VAT rate for most goods and services is 20% for the 2026 to 2027 tax year.
There is also a staff entertainment point to check with your finance team. HMRC guidance says annual parties or similar functions can be tax free if they are open to staff generally and cost £150 or less per head. That limit applies to the total cost of providing the event, not only the activity. If your event is a summer party, Christmas party or another annual function, finance should confirm how the exemption applies to your situation.
This is not a substitute for tax advice, but it is worth checking early. A team building day that includes lunch, drinks, transport and entertainment can cross internal approval limits faster than expected.
How to get a clear quote from NewWave Events
The quickest route to a useful price is a short brief. You do not need a finished plan, but you do need the basics: guest numbers, location, preferred date, available time, indoor or outdoor preference, rough budget, venue status and what you want the event to achieve.
NewWave Events designs and delivers team building activities and corporate events across the UK, with indoor, outdoor, evening, charity, wellness and multi activity formats available. If you have a venue, the team can check whether the space suits the activity. If you do not, they can help you work out what to look for before you book somewhere unsuitable.
A clear quote should show the activity, timings, staffing, equipment, travel, setup, pack down, VAT position and any optional extras. If catering, venue hire, AV or branding are not included, ask for that to be stated clearly so your internal budget does not rely on assumptions.
How NewWave builds a practical event quote
A useful quote starts with the shape of the day, not a random activity list. This is the usual route from first brief to final plan.
Confirm the brief
Share numbers, date, location, timings, venue status, budget and the reason for the event. This helps remove unsuitable options quickly.
Match the format
NewWave narrows the choice around your team, space and goals, whether that means indoor games, outdoor competition, a charity format or a full away day.
Price the whole day
The proposal sets out what is included, such as hosts, kit, setup, travel, event management, venue support, catering or AV where requested.
Plan the delivery
Once booked, the team checks logistics, timings, access, equipment, safety notes and guest information so the day runs to the agreed plan.
Need a realistic price for your team event?
Tell NewWave Events your group size, location, timings and rough budget. The team will suggest formats that fit the brief and explain what each option includes before you commit.
