We live in a world where everything appears to be getting more expensive by the day. Whether you enjoy a simple life or like to experience big events, we have all noticed the effects on our pockets.
From fun family outings to heading off for a day at the races, we now have to seriously budget in order to get the most from our money.
That extends across all major events in the UK, including the Grand National, where even as recently as last year, tickets were still available on the week of the Festival.
For decades, attending major sporting events in the UK was a cherished tradition that didn’t break the bank.
However, the landscape has shifted dramatically, with ticket prices soaring to unprecedented levels.
With rising costs, more racing fans are considering whether attending in person is worth it or if it’s better to follow the action from home. Many now opt for streaming services and place their bets through the best horse racing betting sites, which offer competitive odds and live race coverage. This shift raises a key question: is the on-course experience still worth the price?
What has caused such an enormous shift in the way that tickets are now being priced? And, as fans and racegoers, have we had enough?
More importantly, when there are so many other options, is attending the Grand National still worth it?
The Escalating Price Problem
The stark reality of ticket price inflation becomes clear when examining the numbers. Premier League ticket prices have increased by a staggering 514.8% since 1992, while average attendance has only grown by 82.5%.
If ticket prices had matched attendance growth, fans would be paying around £24.64 for a match instead of the current £83 average.
For horse racing enthusiasts, the picture is equally concerning. The 2025 Grand National’s cheapest tickets start at £45 for The Embankment section but fun fact – there is no access to the main course with this ticket option. Premium areas can command prices up to £1285.
Picture it: you decide to treat yourself and go to the 2025 Grand National. McCoy’s looks like a nice spot. It has good views of the course, you’ll get a breakfast roll on arrival and some street food when you get peckish. What’s not to love? The £435 price per person is what’s not to love.
Meanwhile, a basic Tatterstalls ticket for Gold Cup Day at the Cheltenham Festival will set you back £94. For that, you get a covered Grandstand and a ‘side view’ of the final fence.
Literally, for nearly £100, you don’t even get a seat! If you want that, it’s extra. In fact, to get a spot in the Guinness Grandstand requires a Tatterstall ticket as well, so if you don’t mind handing over £152, then you could be on your way to the Gold Cup.
And it’s not just racing that has suffered from price increases. A bog-standard, Category 4 (the worst) ticket for an England Rugby game for the Six Nations is £90. If you actually want a good seat, it’s £200.
And they are just the ticket prices. What about the cost of the whole day?
The Real Cost of Attendance
Let’s consider two scenarios that illustrate the true cost of attending these prestigious events.
For a Liverpool resident wanting to attend the 2025 Cheltenham Gold Cup, the expenses quickly mount. A standard ticket in the Tattersalls enclosure costs £94, return train travel from Liverpool averages £85, and a modest hotel room in Cheltenham during festival week starts at £165 per night.
Add in food and drinks (with the festival consuming 45,000 bread rolls and 8,000 gallons of tea and coffee), and a single day’s attendance easily exceeds £400.
For a Londoner heading to the Grand National, the costs are similarly steep. While train travel might be cheaper at around £65 return, accommodation in Liverpool during race weekend commands premium rates.
With a Festival Zone ticket at £85, hotel costs around £179, and factoring in food and beverages; the total expense approaches £450 for a single day’s racing.
Impact on Attendance
The effects of these price hikes are becoming evident. The 2024 Cheltenham Festival saw attendance drop by 11,000 compared to the previous year. This decline prompted organisers to freeze ticket prices for 2025 and introduce new group booking discounts, with six or more people eligible for a 10% reduction.
In football, the impact is equally clear. Premier League attendance has dropped from 40,236 in 2022/23 to 38,562 in 2023/24, despite the return of traditionally well-supported clubs.
The price elasticity of demand sits at -1.14, meaning every 1% increase in ticket prices leads to a greater than 1% decrease in attendance.
The Driving Forces
Several factors are behind these increases. For rugby matches at Twickenham, the RFU cites rising utility costs, with energy bills alone increasing by £5 million in 2022.
The organisation openly acknowledges using Six Nations matches as a “cash cow” to fund grassroots development.
Premier League clubs justify price hikes through stadium improvements and the need to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations.
However, with 17 of 20 Premier League clubs raising season ticket prices in 2023/24, fans are increasingly questioning whether these increases are necessary, especially given record profits at many clubs.
Looking Ahead
The future may offer some relief for fans. The government has proposed a cap on resale ticket prices, potentially limiting markups to 30% above face value.
Additionally, there’s growing scrutiny of dynamic pricing practices, where ticket costs fluctuate based on demand. However, this makes absolutely no sense in the context of major events like the Grand National, where tickets are always in demand, and there is a clear cap on how many people are allowed through the gates.
Some venues are experimenting with new ticketing models. Manchester City has introduced a flexi-gold ticket for 2024/25, requiring a £150 membership fee but offering more flexibility in match selection.
Meanwhile, Cheltenham’s new “Room To Race” initiative aims to make attendance more affordable by bundling tickets with accommodation and travel.
The rising cost of attending major sporting events represents a critical juncture for British sport.
While organisers must balance financial sustainability with accessibility, the risk of alienating core supporters grows with each price increase.
The coming years will likely determine whether traditional sporting events can maintain their broad appeal or become increasingly exclusive experiences.
Is Attending The Grand National Worth It?
So, we return to our original question – is attending the Grand National worth it?
Unlike other sports, such as football or rugby, that have games every week, the Grand National is a once-a-year event, so attending it, irrespective of the costs, could be seen as a treat or a one-off.
The decision to attend the race in person versus watching it through alternative means requires careful consideration of several factors.
Firstly, modern technology has revolutionised how we can experience the Grand National without attending in person.
The cornerstone of remote viewing remains ITV1’s comprehensive live coverage, which brings the excitement of Aintree directly into living rooms across the nation.
For those preferring digital platforms, the ITV website and RacingTV offer extensive streaming options, allowing viewers to watch on their preferred devices.
The betting industry has also enhanced the viewing experience, with major bookmakers providing high-quality live streams to customers who place even minimal bets on the race.
This widespread accessibility means fans can enjoy expert commentary, multiple camera angles, and instant replays – features that sometimes surpass the viewing experience of being at the track itself.
That said, despite the considerable expense, experiencing the Grand National in person delivers an atmosphere that simply cannot be replicated through a screen.
The electric energy generated by 150,000 passionate racing fans creates an unforgettable spectacle that resonates throughout the historic Aintree grounds.
Perhaps most significantly, the sense of community and shared excitement among racegoers creates lasting memories through spontaneous conversations and collective cheers that develop among strangers united by their love of racing.
This tangible sense of belonging and participation in a great sporting tradition remains one of the strongest arguments for attending in person despite the rising costs.
The decision ultimately depends on individual priorities between convenience, cost, and experience. But overall, yes, it’s probably still worth it!
