Tuesday 16th August 2022

Spectator capacity at Cheltenham Racecourse will be capped at 68,500 people per day for the four days of The Festival™ in 2023 to enhance the experience of racegoers attending, The Jockey Club announced today.

This year The Festival attracted a record aggregate attendance of 280,627, including record individual attendances for both Thursday (73,754) and Friday (73,875).

As part of planning next year’s event, The Jockey Club gathered and reviewed feedback from racegoers and participants about their experience.

While this was very positive towards the world-class sport on offer and the high standard of facilities at Cheltenham, which have helped The Festival to enjoy strong growth in recent years, it was also clear that many wished to see reduced spectator numbers to ease movement around the course and enhance service times.

Ian Renton, The Jockey Club’s Managing Director for Cheltenham and the West Region, said:

“With Covid-19 spectator restrictions lifted, The Festival made a spectacular return in 2022, welcoming record crowds to enjoy a tremendous atmosphere and the very best of Jump racing.

“It was fantastic to attract capacity crowds on both Thursday and Friday to witness some brilliant racing in glorious sunshine. However, we are well aware that our facilities, even after significant investment in recent years, are stretched at these attendance levels.

“Despite the financial implications of reducing attendance numbers, we will be capping daily capacity at 68,500 in the recognition of the importance of ensuring that The Festival remains an attractive and enjoyable experience for the long-term.

“Ticket sales for 2023 have been very brisk and I would advise those wishing to attend to book as soon as possible to avoid any possible disappointment.”

Tickets for all Cheltenham fixtures can be purchased online at www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham/events-tickets/

About The Jockey Club

The Jockey Club is the largest employer in British horseracing and one of the leading sports businesses operating in the UK today, with annual turnover in excess of £200 million. We run 15 of the UK’s racecourses – large and local – where we are charged with looking after some of the nation’s biggest events, including the Randox Grand National Festival at Aintree, The Cheltenham Festival, The Cazoo Derby at Epsom Downs and the QIPCO Guineas Festival in Newmarket. We welcome thousands of racehorses a year to our training centres in Newmarket, Lambourn and Epsom. We run The National Stud in Newmarket and our charity, Racing Welfare, makes help available to all of racing’s people. We are governed by Royal Charter to act for the long-term benefit of British Racing, which is Britain’s second-biggest spectator sport. Our Patron is Her Majesty The Queen. For more information please visit www.thejockeyclub.co.uk.

For further information please contact:

Grant Rowley - Communications Lead (West)
E: grant.rowley@thejockeyclub.co.uk
M: +44 (0) 7884655990

Meg Furse - Communications Manager (West)
E: megan.furse@thejockeyclub.co.uk
M: +44 (0) 7896076579