In order to enable the Bayreuth Festival to be relaunched as its creator had intended after the end of the Second World War, following his ideals and on a sound financial basis, Wagner lovers founded the Society of Friends of Bayreuth in 1949 together with the brothers Wieland and Wolfgang Wagner. It is thanks to the refurbishment work on the Festspielhaus, new buildings for rehearsal stages and workshops, investments in the stage technology and annual contributions to the Festival operations that the Richard Wagner Festival has been able to take place in Bayreuth since 1951.
In addition to that, a wide-ranging network of private supporters and sponsors has developed over the years, which is of crucial importance for the running of the Festival and its accompanying programme.