Cheltenham reduces crowd capacity to ease pressure on 'stretched' facilities

Maximum capacity for each day at the Cheltenham Festival is set to be capped at 68,500 from 2023 in a move aimed at benefiting the racegoer experience.

The Racing Post reported in April that Cheltenham was considering a reduction following record attendances of 73,754 and 73,875 on St Patrick's Day Thursday and Gold Cup Friday described as "stretching the infrastructure to the limit," according to the track's director Ian Renton.

A record total of 280,627 racegoers attended the four-day meeting this year, but under new restrictions the maximum capacity for the week will be 274,000.

Renton said: "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."

The news comes as racecourses endure a difficult year in attracting racegoers through the gates. Average attendances have been the lowest this century and are down 17.6 per cent from 2019.

Cheltenham Festival: meeting attracted a crowd of 280,627 across the four days this yearCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

This year's festival – the first to have a crowd since Covid-19 restrictions were lifted – bucked the trend markedly, however, with the crowd increasing by around 14,000 from 266,779 in 2019.

Crowds on Tuesday and Wednesday will not be impacted significantly. A total of 68,567 witnessed Honeysuckle's Champion Hurdle success on Tuesday while 64,431 were on course for a wet Wednesday.

Royal Ascot also reduced its capacity from 51,500 in 2019 to 44,100 at this year's meeting, also in a bid to improve the experience for those on course. That was a 14 per cent drop while Cheltenham's move equates to a seven per cent reduction from last season's Gold Cup day attendance.

Renton added: "Ticket sales for 2023 have been very brisk and I'd advise those wishing to attend to book as soon as possible to avoid any possible disappointment."

Cheltenham Festival attendances

2022

Tuesday: 68,567
Wednesday: 64,431
Thursday: 73,754
Friday: 73,875

Total: 280,627

2020

Tuesday: 60,664
Wednesday: 56,943
Thursday: 65,218
Friday: 68,859

Total: 251,648

2019

Tuesday: 67,934
Wednesday: 59,209
Thursday: 67,821
Friday: 71,849

Total: 266,813

2018

Tuesday: 66,632
Wednesday: 58,959
Thursday: 66,382
Friday: 70,684

Total: 262,657

2017

Tuesday: 66,019
Wednesday: 57,681
Thursday: 66,200
Friday: 70,160

Total: 260,060

Please note, the 2021 Cheltenham Festival took place behind closed doors due to the Covid-19 pandemic

The capping follows news of an action plan being initiated by local police crime commissioner Chris Nelson to tackle anti-social behaviour in the town during festival week. Particular areas being addressed include drugs and violence against women.

More toilet facilities are also set to be located on roads near the racecourses in response to complaints from local residents of racegoers urinating in gardens and parks.

A consultation into extending the Cheltenham Festival to five days is ongoing. In April, Renton said an extension could come as early as 2024.

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