Overview

• Chief executive Guy Lavender says the schedule switch is being explored to reach more racegoers after total attendance fell from 280,627 in 2022 to 218,839 this year.
• Officials stress no decision is close, with stakeholder engagement and detailed operational and financial analysis still to come before any move.
• Any shift would consider broadcast, commercial and sporting implications, with discussions expected with TV partners on channel placement and coverage.
• Separate confirmed steps for 2026 include cutting daily capacity to 66,000, freezing ticket prices, reducing pint prices by 30p, lifting Club Enclosure drink restrictions, and moving the Grade One Mares' Hurdle to Thursday.
• The Festival is the Jockey Club’s largest annual revenue source, and a previous plan to add a fifth day that would have included Saturday was dropped three years ago.