RACING fans have been handed a huge boost with Glorious Goodwood bosses confirming they are planning for a ‘significant’ crowd.
The third coronavirus lockdown has stopped fans attending sporting events amid a surge in deaths and confirmed cases in the UK.
But chiefs at one of the biggest flat racing meets and most glamorous racing festivals in the country say more than 4,000 fans could attend the July showpiece.
Goodwood managing director of sport Adam Waterworth told the Chichester Observer: “As for 2021, we are planning for everything and hoping for the best.
“We’re confident we’ll be able to have a crowd at the start of the season, which for us is April 30, but we are of course in the hands of the government.
“We have a plan in place for allowing people in but with social distancing.
“We have looked at the 2,000 and 4,000 crowd limits that were permitted in different tiers before the latest lockdown, and we’re also planning for when more people are permitted.
“You have to be positive and I’m absolutely certain we will have racegoers at Goodwood this season – and certain we will have them by the first meeting.
“I’d say it’s more than likely we will start with reduced numbers but for Glorious week there’s every chance we’ll be back to a significant crowd.”
Goodwood was last year restricted to 19 race days with no paying punters at any of them.
Racecourse members will be the first allowed back when Covid restrictions are relaxed.
Goodwood bosses aim to have tickets on general sale for upcoming meets available from the end of February.
A provisional schedule of ten meetings for the prime summer months currently includes three in May, four in June, Glorious Goodwood from July 27 and an August bank holiday festival too.
FREE BETS GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to SE. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chase their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
- Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org
