Cheltenham Festival: The Jockey Club has stated that Cheltenham would cap its spectator capacity at 68,500 people per day for the four days of the 2023 Festival in an effort to improve racegoers’ experiences.
A record number of people attended the Festival this year—280,627—including record numbers of people on both Thursday (73,754) and Friday (73,875).
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,” the Jockey Club said it had gathered and reviewed feedback from racegoers and participants about their experience.
“With Covid-19 spectator limitations abolished, the Festival made a brilliant comeback in 2022, welcome record numbers to enjoy a fantastic atmosphere and the very best of jump racing,” said Ian Renton, the Jockey Club’s managing director for Cheltenham and the West Region.
“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.
