Race Day Entertainment

How Race Day Entertainment Supports Race Days

Race day entertainment adds to the overall atmosphere and helps create a more enjoyable and engaging experience for attendees. When done well, it complements racing without taking away from it.

Entertainment can encourage people to stay longer, return for future events, and see race days as more than just racing. The key is selecting entertainment that suits your audience, your venue, and your capacity to deliver it.

What this area covers

• Types of entertainment used on race days
• Timing and placement of entertainment
• Scale and suitability based on the race meeting

What to focus on

• Select entertainment that suits your audience, venue, and race meeting
• Consider operational requirements, staffing, and delivery capability
• Plan entertainment timing around the race schedule
• Position entertainment to complement, not disrupt, racing operations
• Ensure entertainment is positioned away from horse movement areas, mounting yards, tie-ups, and other operational racing zones
• Consider additional safety, welfare, and operational requirements for certain entertainment types such as animal farms, rides, or interactive activities
• Obtain current Certificates of Currency and Public Liability insurance documentation from all entertainment contractors
• Consider cost, logistics, and overall value to the even

What strong race day entertainment looks like

• Entertainment integrates naturally into the overall race day experience
• Activities are suitable for the audience and venue environment
• Entertainment areas are safely positioned away from racing operations
• Timing supports the flow of the race meeting
• Patrons can easily engage with entertainment throughout the venue

Quick wins

• Add a simple entertainment element (e.g. music or MC)
• Match entertainment to your audience (families, social groups, members)
• Schedule entertainment between races, not during
• Start small and build over time
• Focus on creating atmosphere, not complexity