Smaller event Festival ‘unlikely’ to see full-capacity crowd in 2021
CHELTENHAM Festival 2021 is unlikely to go ahead with a full capacity, says the Racecourse Association’s chief executive.
The Festival takes place at Cheltenham Racecourse every year in March and the four-day meet is one of the biggest events in the racing calendar, with a number of famous faces, including the royal family, attending.
But according to the Racing Post, David Armstrong, chief executive of Racecourse Association, has said the event is “unlikely” to go ahead as normal.
As reported by Racing Post, speaking on Luck on Sunday, Mr Armstrong said: “Looking ahead to next year, I think as things stand it’s unlikely we could have a full-capacity Cheltenham Festival next March.
“There are a lot of developments happening almost daily and those will help us change the way we live in society, not just in sport. However, as the rules stand it is unlikely we could be ready for a normal Cheltenham.
“I also think it’s pretty unlikely we have full capacity at any racecourse this year. Venues have done their calculations on what their capacity is under the new rules and these range from 25 per cent of normal to up to 40 per cent, which is at Newmarket.”
The Jockey Club, which owns Cheltenham Racecourse, were approached for comment along with the Racing Association.
The Festival, presented by Magners, takes place at Cheltenham Racecourse across four days and the 2021 event is currently set to take place from Tuesday, March 16, to Friday, March 19.
The full attendance of The Festival 2020 was: 60,664 on March 10 (Champions Day); 56,943 on March 11 (Ladies’ Day); 65,218 on March 12 (St Patrick’s Day); and 68,859 on March 13 (Gold Cup Day).
Mr Armstrong went on to say: “A vaccine cannot be relied upon to be the next stage of recovery from this pandemic.
“What we’re focusing on is the various technological developments that might allow some relaxation of the social distancing rules.
“For example, a new 20-minute saliva-based test which is connected to mobile phones to create digital passports could be used at meetings to help relax social distancing. I think the next step is going to be technology-driven, not vaccine-driven.”
He also added: “We hope from the start of next month that all racecourses will be able to accommodate paying spectators. It will still be on a reducedcapacity basis but racecourses across the country are now getting ready for that date.”
We hope from the start of next month that all racecourses will be able to accommodate paying spectators David Armstrong, Racecourse Association