SPECTATOR CAPACITY AT Cheltenham will be capped at 68,500 people per day for the four days of the 2023 Festival in a move to enhance the experience of racegoers attending, the Jockey Club has announced.
This year’s 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 said it had gathered and reviewed feedback from racegoers and participants about their experience, and while the feedback was “very positive towards the world-class sport on offer and the high standards of facilities at Cheltenham… 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.”
Thank Christ for that , the longest bloody goodbye in the history of the planet !!! Finally able to watch a match without commentators verbally making love to him throughout the entire game
Shut up!! I’m sick of reading stupid comments like this… This man has put everything into any jersey he has worn over d past 15 year and never asked for any praise. just because he got a fitting farewell to his international career 2 months ago, some people think that this long goodbye has gone on forever… That’s just the way this season has ended, he didn’t intentionally plan it this way so that people could loathe more praise for him. And of course commentators etc should pay tribute him, if u open your eyes and recognise what he has achieved for his country and the sport, u wouldn’t make such an ignorant comment like this. And all u can say is that your delighted to see him go off injured. Idiot!!
Blah blah blah blah !!! We seen and heard it all before the reality is everyone is sick to the teeth of hearing about it , instead of doing the decent thing and quietly slipping off at the end if last season or even declaring it after today’s match he did it half way through this season a season he has played poorly ( bar maybe the away game to Northampton ) and been injured for the majority of it , today being farcical. Nothing personal against the guy just sick of the longest goodby in the history of mankind
Lol couldn’t agree more.
That was for Luke’s post!!
Here here! Embarrassing how the media goes on about him
Douglas
I hate to see your comment when you reach your teens!!!!
Bad in the Italy game too I presume?! Appreciate the man. Ireland is a specialist nation in begrudgery.
The Italy game ok he was involved in the three tries but isn’t that what he should be doing seeing he is the greatest player that ever played the game , Italy the mighty Italy . Oh don’t forget he gifted them their try as well with a world class clearance . Sure two good games a season is acceptable to you then , all you have to do is look at his performance for the lions to see he just went a season too far , don’t get me wrong he was a great centre but this season seemed selfish in my opinion
Here flash how many times did you play for Munster? Go on tell us again, we all like a good laugh
Luke go on name us one other Irish rugby player who was better?
What ???? Firstly what has my rugby playing days got to do with it and secondly what has Munster got to do with the Irish media and BOD’s never ending retirement saga . Jesus wept that is by far the worst comment ever posted since social media began
Well flash at least he’d have an excuse for his comments then !!
With all the man love emanating from you I’d say you probably play for the Emerald Warriors !!
You’re hilarious Bob !
Yep and your not …
Original – don’t give up the day job if you have the intelligence for one.
Ok Chris I think you need to read the comments again , I didn’t state that he wasn’t or was the greatest Irish player ever . Other people are !!! My point has been made several times in my other comments so instead of getting upset and emotional have a read of them first please. I take it you are in the same primary school class as Douglas who also got a bit carried away tonight , maybe you can both meet up and cry over a ribena remembering BOD’s greatest moments
Yea great come back that … Your hardy in any position to question anyone else’s intelligence
LOL !!!
Looking forward to your goodbye post
Sad way for him to go, thankfully got his fairytale in Paris.
Jeez Ian Madigan got SOME reception when he came on!
Cruel end to his career. That’s the nature of the sport though.
He will still get man of the match..
Least thats the end of him now…
I’m embarrassed for the bellends on this app , we had two of the worlds most influential players in sport from this country in Roy Keane and Brian O Driscoll and the amount of negativity towards them both here really is truly shocking. Call yourselves Irish !!!!
HA HA!!!!!!!!!!
Judging by your photo I don’t think you’ve got anything to laugh at !!!!