Ascot Racecourse selected as pilot project to allow crowds of 12,000

Today it has been announced that 12,000 people will be allowed to attend Royal Ascot each day from June 15-19.

The horseracing event will part of the Government's events research programme to see if large events can safely be managed during Covid-19.

Those who rolled over their 2020 bookings can now be accommodated and an allocation of Royal Enclosure Badges and Queen Anne (General Admission) tickets will go on sale this Friday, 28th May.

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Guy Henderson, chief executive at Ascot Racecourse, said: “We are delighted that Royal Ascot has been accepted to play its part in the next phase of the Government’s Events Research Programme. We much look forward to welcoming 12,000 racegoers each day.

“Our thanks go to our industry bodies, the British Horseracing Authority and the Racecourse Association, which led the preparation of the submission to Government.”

Horse racing executives said Royal Ascot will demonstrate how racing events are perfectly suited to safely hosting spectators in greater numbers.

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The British Horseracing Authority's chief executive Julie Harrington said they will make sure people remain protected as the country eases out of lockdown restrictions.

She said: "It is excellent news that Ascot will be included in the Events Research Programme as a pilot event. It is an opportunity to demonstrate how racing events are perfectly suited to safely hosting spectators in greater numbers as we progress through the Government’s roadmap for the easing of lockdown restrictions.

“We are grateful to DCMS and this outcome reflects the strong and positive relationship between racing and Government. Working with colleagues we will ensure that our participants remain protected to the same degree that has been achieved with racing’s bespoke coronavirus protocols since resumption in June 2020."