Bongo’s Bingo eyes US expansion and one million ticket sales
The team behind iconic Liverpool brand Bongo’s Bingo is gearing up for its biggest year, targeting expansion in the US and breaking the one million ticket barrier.
Founded by Jonny Bongo and Joshua Burke in April 2015, the crazy and raucous concept is the UK’s original and defining bingo rave night out and takes place in more than 40 UK locations.
Last year Bongo’s Bingo launched in Brighton, Bournemouth, Nottingham, York, Kingston and Swansea, with more locations planned for 2023, as the experience economy industry company continues to grow, focused on competitive socialising.
Joshua Burke, left, and Jonny Bongo
The company employs a team of more than 100 directly employed and freelance staff. The target for 2023 is to reach one million tickets sold across all events by December 31, whilst planning to break America, off the back of the company’s busiest December, with 170 shows.
Bongo’s Bingo said it continues to sell out shows weeks and months in advance while keeping ticket prices low. Jonny Bongo said: “We came pretty close to one million tickets in 2022 and because we always aim high at Bongo’s Bingo we feel we can reach it this year. There’s a great team who host the actual shows, then there’s the office side and everyone else from the warehouse to the tech people.
“Everyone is highly valued in the company, no matter what their role – it’s a big family. The demand for tickets last year truly was astounding, especially after two years of COVID – I feel it’s mainly because people trust us, they absolutely love what we do and, most importantly, it brings everyone some much needed escapism and a shared social experience away from normality.”
He added: “We’ve got our ticket prices low, which is really important, especially given it’s a tricky time for many people right now. In Liverpool alone I’ve seen so many magical moments, people letting loose together and leaving their worries at the door and that immersive feeling plays out everywhere we are.
“We invest heavily into the experience to make sure every show is the best it can be, no matter where you are, so if you go to any Bongo’s Bingo show these high standards are always there and that’s because we do everything in-house from Liverpool. We don’t cut any corners.”
On the move to expand to the US, Joshua Burke said: “We’ve had great success abroad, notably in other English-speaking countries or with big UK audiences – in the early days we were in Australia a lot, then seasons in Ibiza and we have been back in Dubai for the last year which has been brilliant.
“Breaking America is a big part of our plans and 2023 is when we are going to make it happen. Jonny and the guys are very excited to take the concept there. Launching in the USA almost came to fruition just before the pandemic and now we are back on track.”
Liverpool XL event – pic Jack Finnigan
Last spring and summer saw the bold XL concept tour across the UK, with shows in huge venues across Manchester, Newcastle, Leicester, Sheffield and the two biggest Bongo’s Bingo shows ever, back-to-back dates in August on home turf in Liverpool.
Josh added: “Last year was huge for us. Our XL shows at the Exhibition Centre Liverpool in August were truly mind blowing. We had close to 4,000 people each night and everything scaled up so well, the venue looked fantastic and the crowds were brilliant.
“But I really had to take a quiet moment on that opening Friday and literally pinch myself – it was phenomenal to experience it, Jonny and I having started this over seven years ago, and most importantly we had amazing feedback from our customers.”
