Whether you’re the best man trying to organise an absolute belter of a weekend or you’re just nosey about where lads are heading this year, we’ve pulled together the biggest stag do statistics for 2026. From the most popular destinations to the activities you’ve got to try and more, here’s what stag groups are booking in huge numbers right now.
Stag Do Statistics at a Glance
- The most common name of stags getting married this year: David
- Most popular UK destination: Newcastle
- Most popular Irish destination: Dublin
- Most popular European destination: Prague
- Average cost per person: £280
- Average group size: 14
- Top month to go: May
- Most popular activity: Stag stitch up life drawing
- Most popular time to book the stag do: January
- Most popular months to get married: July and September
- 68% of stag parties involve some kind of fancy dress
The Average Stag Group Size in 2026
The average stag do group size is around 12 to 16 lads, which usually includes close mates, uni friends, workmates, family, future in-laws and a couple of slightly unexpected additions. It’s a big enough group to keep the atmosphere fun on a night out, but still just about manageable when it comes to booking tables, taxis and keeping everyone together after a few drinks.
Smaller stag groups are also becoming more common, especially for European trips where flights, accommodation and activities can start adding up quickly. These tighter groups are often made up of the groom’s absolute core circle, the lads who never miss a night out and are fully committed to the weekend.
The Average Spend on a Stag Do
The average lad heading on a stag do in 2026 is spending somewhere between £280 and £850 for the full weekend. That includes accommodation, activities, nightlife and enough drinks to make Monday at work feel illegal.
UK stag weekends are still the cheaper option, but loads of groups are happy to splash out for guaranteed sunshine, cheap beers and a chance to see their mate attempt karaoke in another language. Our blog, the average cost of a stag do breaks down the price further in terms of destination, activities and more if you fancy more info.
The Most Popular UK Stag Do Destinations
Newcastle still sits proudly at the top of the stag do leaderboard and it’s easy to see why with cheap drinks, massive nights out and loads of activity options. The Toon knows how to party and will give you a warm welcome as you explore Bigg Market, Quayside and more.
Bristol’s become one of the fastest growing stag destinations in the UK and lads are loving it. There’s a great mix of buzzing nightlife, decent pubs and activities. The city’s got that laid-back party vibe where you can start with craft beers by the harbour and somehow end up singing early 2000s bangers in a nightclub at 3am.
Liverpool never disappoints on a stag weekend. The nightlife is massive, the bars are packed and the city knows exactly how to throw a proper party. Concert Square remains absolute carnage every weekend and stag groups can’t get enough of it. There’s loads to do during the day too, whether you’re footie lovers, Beatles fans or just want to explore.
Brighton’s still one of the cheekiest stag hotspots in the UK. You’ve got beach bars, packed clubs and loads of great pubs. It’s perfect for groups wanting an epic weekend without heading abroad. It’s also got some decent culture and history if you fancy finding out more.
Edinburgh stag dos are absolutely booming this year. The city’s jam-packed with traditional pubs, whisky tastings, banging clubs and enough steep hills to test every hangover known to man. It’s classy during the day and absolute mayhem at night. Exactly what every stag group wants, right?
The Most Popular Ireland Stag Do Destinations
Dublin’s got everything you’d want from a stag weekend. You’ll find legendary pubs, live music on every corner and some of the best nightlife in Ireland. From the famous Temple Bar district to the Guinness Storehouse, there’s loads to see and do and absolutely no shortage of craic.
Galway continues to dominate the Irish stag scene with its brilliant pubs, live music and lively atmosphere. The nightlife’s legendary and the locals will give you a warm welcome. It’s one of those places where the pub crawl accidentally turns into a 12-hour session before anybody realises what’s happened.
Kilkenny’s become a massive favourite for stag groups wanting proper Irish pubs and a weekend full of pints, banter and zero sensible decisions. The compact city centre means everything’s within stumbling distance too, which definitely helps after a heavy night.
Carrick on Shannon remains one of Ireland’s ultimate party towns for stag dos. It’s packed with bars, party boats and groups of lads attempting to function on very little sleep. If your group wants a full weekend of drinking games, pub crawls and fun activities, this place delivers every single time.
Carlingford’s become hugely popular for active stag weekends. It’s got adventure activities, cracking pubs and enough nightlife to keep everybody happy. One minute you’re doing outdoor challenges and the next you’re buying shots for strangers while the groom’s dressed up in a ridiculous fancy dress outfit!
Limerick’s nightlife scene keeps growing every year and stag groups are catching on fast. The bars are fun, the atmosphere’s brilliant and there are loads of opportunities for the best man to plan an epic itinerary which always leads to a successful stag do.
The Most Popular European Stag Do Destinations
Prague continues to dominate European stag weekends this year with cheap beer, huge nightlife and activities that range from sporty to completely outrageous. It’s basically impossible to have a quiet weekend in Prague and honestly, nobody’s trying to. From strippers and dwarfs to shooting experiences and bars, there’s always something fun to do.
Benidorm is still the undisputed king of messy stag weekends abroad with loads of sunshine, cheap drinks and bars full of fellow British lads and ladies making some interesting life choices. It’s the ultimate place for fun in the sun!
Amsterdam remains one of Europe’s biggest stag magnets thanks to its legendary nightlife, canalside bars and relaxed party atmosphere. There’s also loads of culture and history to explore here, if you can stay out of the strip clubs long enough!
Budapest is one of the coolest stag destinations in Europe. The ruin bars are awesome, the nightlife’s massive and the thermal bath party are legendary, unlike anything you’d experience at home.
Albufeira’s become massively popular for sunny stag weekends packed with beach bars, boat parties and late nights. If your group wants sun, beers and zero responsibility, this place always delivers.
The Most Popular Stag Do Activities in 2026
- Stag Stitch Up Life Drawing
Nothing says friendship like forcing the groom to pose half-naked in front of the lads while everybody pretends they can draw! Stag stitch up life drawing continues to be one of the funniest and most awkward activities around. The groom expects a gorgeous woman to pose until he’s ordered to get his kit off. Just imagine his face!
- Beer Bike
Beer bikes are still absolutely everywhere this year and lads can’t get enough of them. It’s like a pub on wheels and sees you pedalling through a city centre while drinking pints. It’s a great workout if you’ve missed leg day too!
- Bar Crawl
A bar crawl is a classic stag do activity and gives you a great oversight of the best nightlife in the town or city you’re celebrating in. It’s hugely popular for groups wanting a full night of fun without having to plan every detail themselves.
- Female Strippers
Of course, this one would make the list! Is it even a stag do if you don’t see a stripper! These gorgeous ladies will undress and dance for you, getting everyone hot under the collar. Whether you opt for a regular stripper, roly poly or a dominatrix, the look on the groom’s face is priceless!
- Dwarf Hire
This one’s completely outrageous and still incredibly popular. The dwarf will be handcuffed to the groom and will follow him absolutely everywhere he goes, whether that’s the bar, the dancefloor or even the loo!
- Bubble Football
Bubble football continues to dominate daytime stag activities because watching your mates bounce into each other like drunk wrecking balls never stops being funny! You’ll play in one-man inflatable zorbs and will barge, bounce and bump into each other to get the ball.
- Activity Bars
Activity bars are popping up all over the place and are great fun for a night out with a difference. Not only will you enjoy some decent drinks, but you can take part in a range of activities such as pool, bowling, escape rooms, shuffleboard, AR darts, VR experiences, video games and more.
- Go Karting
Go karting remains a classic stagtivity, satisfying any need for speed as you race against each other around an indoor or outdoor track. Get ready for hairpin bends and speedy straight sections where you can rev your engines and try to overtake your mates. Serious bragging rights are on the line!
- Paintballing
Paintballing is another really popular stag do activity. You’ll split into teams to do battle. You can even put the groom in a funny fancy dress outfit if you fancy making him stand out like a sore thumb! Nothing quite beats the thrill of hunting down your best mates and pelting them with paint, does it?
- Clay Pigeon Shooting
If you fancy slowing down the pace a bit, clay pigeon shooting is a classic countryside sport. You’ll all handle powerful shotguns as you take aim and shoot a range of clays. You’ll feel such a rush of adrenaline when you finally smash you first clay!
The Biggest Stag Do Trends for 2026
Longer weekends are becoming more common, with loads of groups turning two-night stag dos into full three or four-day blowouts. Apparently, lads are deciding that if you’re going to feel rough anyway, you might as well make it worth it!
Fancy dress themes are somehow getting worse too. Wrestling outfits, old school boybands and dodgy wigs are everywhere this year. There’s also been a huge rise in personalised stag outfits, which sounds fun until you realise everybody’s wearing matching shirts with terrible nicknames printed on the back.
Bottomless brunches are massive now as well. Lads who once laughed at the idea and thought they were just for hen parties are suddenly necking unlimited beers and cocktails before midday like it’s an Olympic sport!
Boat parties and VIP nightclub packages are also climbing fast in popularity. Basically, stag groups want the biggest weekend possible with the least amount of hassle.
The Most Popular Fancy Dress for Stag Dos in 2026
This year, fancy dress is more popular than ever for stag weekends. Going all in on coordinated costumes, personalised outfits and themes guaranteed to embarrass the groom. According to our data, 68% of stag groups now include some form of fancy dress during the weekend. Whether it’s for a single night out or the full weekends, lads are fully committing to the theme. Here are the top stag do fancy dress themes dominating right now:
1. Video Game Characters
Video game-themed stag dos are massive this year, with groups turning up dressed as everything from Mario and Luigi to Street Fighter characters and old school arcade legends. Searches for gaming-themed stag outfits have jumped by 48% compared to two years ago, mainly because lads have realised there’s something unbelievably funny about seeing Sonic the Hedgehog ordering tequila shots at midnight.
2. Baywatch Lifeguards
Get ready for bright red shorts, fake muscles and whistles nobody asked for. Baywatch-themed stag dos are massive this year, especially in sunny beach destinations like Brighton, Bournemouth, Benidorm and Albufeira. Now, you just need to find your own Pamela Anderson!
3. Old School Boybands
Groups dressed as dodgy 90s boybands are absolutely everywhere right now. Matching satin shirts, terrible wigs and synchronised dance moves have somehow become standard stag behaviour. Nightclubs across the UK have reported a huge rise in lads turning up like the boybands they used to make fun of, such as Take That, Backstreet Boys and One Direction.
4. Superheroes on a Budget
Cheap superhero costumes continue to dominate stag weekends because nothing says quality nightlife like seeing a slightly sweaty Batman hanging out with Spider Man outside a kebab shop at 2am. The worse the costumes look, the funnier the photos will be!
5. Mankinis and Morph Suits
Still going strong despite absolutely nobody looking good in them, mankinis remain one of the most stitched up stag outfits around, usually forced onto the groom by a best man who’s clearly enjoying the power far too much. Some clubs have even started banning certain morph suits and mankinis altogether after years of absolute carnage on dancefloors.
Official Stag Party Statistics 2026
Stag dos this year are all about big laughs, bigger nights out and making sure the groom’s got enough embarrassing stories to last well into married life. Whether you’re heading to Newcastle for a messy pub crawl, flying to Prague for cheap beers or bouncing around Brighton in giant inflatable football suits, one thing’s guaranteed: you’re going to have an absolutely epic stag do!
If you need any help making sure that your stag do is one for the history books, check out our stag do activities and accommodation options, available in a huge range of UK, Irish and European destinations.
