Spectator capacity to be capped at Cheltenham Festival 2023
SPECTATOR capacity at the Cheltenham Festival next March will be capped at 68,500 each day throughout jumps racing over four days following consultation between The Jockey Club, the racegoing public and participants about their experience earlier this year.
Officials at The Jockey Club took the decision to limit daily capacity despite the financial implications in reducing attendance numbers. Significant investment had been made in recent years, but the decision to limit capacity was taken in the long-term based on The Festival maintaining its attractive experience for the racegoing public.
This year’s festival attracted as many as 280,627 per day, the highest recorded at 73,800 spectators on high profile racedays including the Gold Cup.
“Despite the financial implications of reducing attendance numbers we will be capping daily capacity at 68,500 in recognition of the importance of insuring that The Festival remains an attractive and enjoyable experience for the long-term,” said The Jockey Club’s managing director for Cheltenham and the West Region Ian Renton. “It was fantastic to attract capacity crowds on both Thursday and Friday to witness some brilliant racing. However, we are well aware that our facilities, even after significant investment in recent years are stretched at these attendance levels.”
Managing Director Ian Renton recommended, “Ticket sales for 2023 have been very brisk and I would advise those wishing to attend to book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment” online at https://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham/events-tickets/.
British luxury jewellery firm Boodles has extended its support of The Cheltenham Festival with a new agreement as sponsor of the Gold Cup, the festival’s premiere race over jumps.
Tags: Arts & Culture Cheltenham Festival Horseracing
Image credits: Cheltenham Racecourse
