Chester Races celebrates the return of racing crowds

Chester Racecourse is celebrating the return of spectators later this month with racing crowds finally allowed to return to the iconic racecourse.

As lockdown restrictions further ease on May 17^th, the ban on indoor socialising will be lifted meaning spectators can once again get up close to the heart of the sporting action.

Chester’s famous Roman Day will take place on May 29^th. Following this, on June 12^th, the first in a series of summer fixtures will get underway with the return of Summer Saturday.

It has been 20 months since spectators have been able to watch live racing at the Roodee, and the two upcoming fixtures will see 4,000 lucky racing fans permitted to attend each meeting.

The racecourse’s most famous and well-known racing fixture, The Boodles Festival, returned earlier this month with all racing taking place behind closed doors and a programme of virtual events.

Now, with spectators once again allowed to enter Chester’s famous racing grounds, they can look forward to all the excitement of live racing, exceptional service, and the very best in hospitality and catering.

General admission ticket holders will be able to get up close and personal from the Grandstand side of the racecourse where they will experience the thrill of the horses thundering into the final furlong. A Punters Package is also included with all general admission tickets, which entitles spectators to a racecard as well as a £5 food and beverage voucher.

With a reduced capacity the racedays promise to be an intimate, unique experience for customers lucky enough to get tickets.

Andrew Morris, Director of Racing at Chester Racecourse, said “We are really looking forward to welcoming back visitors to our May 29th and June 12th meetings.

“This will be limited capacity in accordance with government guidelines but it promises to be a unique and very special experience for everyone who does attend. We will be offering spectators a first-class view of the track to enjoy racing at The Roodee for the first time this year.

“COVID safe measures will be in place, including sanitiser stations across the course and ample space for social distancing to be maintained.

“This is definitely a step in the right direction and we look forward to the lifting of further restrictions hopefully on June 21st and welcoming back full capacity visitors to our magnificent racecourse!”

Tickets for Roman Day on May 29^th are available on the Chester Racecourse website here.  

The Government’s proposed June 21^st date for the end of all Covid-19 restrictions also signals the start of the summer season at Chester – just days before Clogau Ladies Evening on Friday, June 25^th and the Matthew Clark Summer Festival on Saturday, June 26^th.

Tickets are now on sale for both of these events and for the remainder of the racing season at Chester, which includes:

• July 9^th: Ladies and Gents’ Evening
• July 10^th: City Plate Day
• August 21^st: Ladies Day
• September 10th: Autumn Festival Friday
• September 11th: Autumn Festival Saturday
• September 25th: Event name to be confirmed
• October 2nd: Season Finale

There will be a variety of hospitality packages available throughout the season whether it is a day/evening out with a group of friends, or a special celebration for a birthday or anniversary.

Racing started in Chester – the oldest operating racecourse in the world - on Shrove Tuesday in 1539 and in nearly 500 years there have only been three major stoppages; the English Civil War, World War 1 and World War 2.  When racing was reinstated in 1946, the pent- up demand resulted in a record attendance of 103,993 racegoers on Cup Day.