FOI - Universal Pictures and New Years Eve 2025 [Jan 2026]

I am writing under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to request information regarding the unique event partnership between the Greater London Authority (GLA) and Universal Pictures for the London New Year’s Eve Fireworks display held on 31 December 2025. The Mayor’s Office and official press releases identified the inclusion of content from the film Wicked: For Good as part of a formal partnership. 

Specifically, I request the following information: 

• Financial Value: The total amount of money paid by Universal Pictures (or any associated subsidiary/marketing agency) to the GLA or its delivery partners for the inclusion of Wicked branding, music, and visuals in the display. 
• Contracts and Agreements: A copy of the partnership agreement, memorandum of understanding, or contract between the GLA and Universal Pictures regarding this event. 
• Creative Control: Any documentation or correspondence detailing the requirements set by Universal Pictures for the placement, duration, or nature of the Wicked segment (e.g., specific songs like "Defying Gravity" or the recorded message from Cynthia Erivo). 
• Procurement/Sponsorship Process: Information on whether this partnership was put out to tender or if other film studios/commercial entities were offered similar "event partnership" opportunities for the 2025/26 display. 
• Cost Offsetting: Confirmation of whether the funds received from this partnership were used to reduce the overall cost of the fireworks to the London taxpayer, and if so, by what amount.

Our response

The NYE fireworks is funded by GLA budget alongside ticketing income. City Hall is committed to ensuring best value for Londoners and every year we consider a range of options to offset the event budget. 

The event is a significant national moment for the year which generates optimism and positivity and acts as a showcase for London nationally and internationally as a global city, strengthening its reputation across the UK and overseas, attracting visitors, students and businesses to the city thereby supporting economic growth. In 2021, a report by professional services firm Hatch, and promotion organisation London & Partners, revealed that major events contribute over £600m, on average, to the capital’s economy every year. London’s NYE celebration is a significant driver of domestic and international visits to London over the Christmas and New Year’s period – with around 70% of the event attendees usually being from outside of London. It is estimated that ticketholders generate around £14m in additional revenue for London’s businesses and economy. 

‘Wicked: For Good’ and its London star Cynthia Erivo featured in the display as part of an event partnership with Universal Pictures. The film was also shot in the UK and features two British, making it a perfect opportunity to celebrate the British film industry. It also supported the messaging of Unity and Togetherness which featured throughout the show. 

Financial Value, Contracts & Creative Control - Please note that this information is exempt from disclosure under the exemption for Commercial Interests at section 43(2) of the FOIA. 

Section 43(2) provides that information can be withheld from release if its release would, or would be likely to, prejudice the commercial interests of any person. A commercial interest relates to a person’s ability to participate competitively in a commercial activity and in this instance, the GLA is withholding the sponsorship related information because it would be likely to prejudice the commercial interests of the GLA in future negotiations on brokering sponsorship deals for similar events and undermining competitiveness. The GLA is satisfied that in this instance disclosure of this information would be likely to, prejudice or harm the commercial interests of the GLA. 

Section 43(2) constitutes a qualified exemption from our duty to disclose information under the FOIA and consideration has to be given as to whether the public interest favouring disclosure of the information covered by this exemption outweighs the public interest considerations favouring maintaining the exemption and withholding the information. In balancing the public interest in disclosure, we consider the greater good or benefit to the community if the information is released or not. The ‘right to know’ must be balanced against the need to enable effective government and serve the best interests of the public. Although in many cases disclosure promotes competition, there is undoubtedly a public interest in allowing public authorities to withhold information which, if disclosed, would negatively affect their ability to negotiate or to compete in a commercial environment. In this case, it is felt that the public interest would not be met by revealing information which would be likely to be detrimental to the way in which sponsorship deals are secured in relation to the events it runs and in turn how much savings can be made to the public purse when delivering events.

Procurement/ Sponsorship process - The GLA website includes information on how brands and commercial partners can get involved with the NYE Fireworks Event ensuring the partnership opportunity is open to all. https://www.london.gov.uk/events/london-new-years-eve-2025 

Cost offsetting - We can confirm that the funds received were used to offset the event budget but we are not able to share the details due to commercial sensitivity.

Internal review - MGLA030226-3406

This internal review is conducted by someone who was not involved in the handling of the original request. I will now respond to each point of your request in turn: 

The Freedom of Information Act and Environmental Information Regulations give you rights to access official information. Internal reviews are handled by the Information Governance team. We are responsible for reviewing any decision and the material (if held). 

For this internal review, the GLA has consulted with the third party to gain their views on disclosure. They have agreed to partial disclosure of the information that the GLA holds within the scope of your request. Please find attached: 

• Signed contract 
• NDA Agreement 

Regarding the marketing and financial data contained in the attached documents, the GLA maintains its reliance on the exemption at section 43(2) – Commercial interests. Universal’s position is that its marketing and financial information is commercially confidential and highly sensitive. This information is not published, reported externally, or made publicly available. Disclosure could be anti-competitive (for example, by revealing marketing budgets or media spend to competitors), place Universal in breach of contract, or otherwise harm its relationships with partner filmmakers, companies or clients. 

The payment in question does not involve taxpayer money or any allocation of public funds for a marketing campaign. It is a private payment by Universal for an activation with the GLA. It is comparable to a media buy, where the rates paid by individual companies are also confidential. This position is reflected in ICO Decision Notice FS50575524 (fs_50575524.pdf), which makes clear that sponsorship figures cannot always be disclosed, as doing so may reveal commercially sensitive information and prejudice an organisation’s ability to negotiate future funding. As the Commissioner concluded, while transparency carries public interest value, in circumstances such as this it is outweighed by the stronger public interest in protecting commercial interests and ensuring the continued effective delivery of cultural services.