THERE will be 4,000 spectators allowed at each day of Irish Champions Weekend but only 2,000 at each day of the Listowel Festival later this month.

News of the increased limits on spectator numbers at Irish racemeetings finally broke on Thursday afternoon when Horse Racing Ireland issued a statment.

From Monday next, September 6th, racecourses will be permitted to admit up to 50% of outdoor capacity.

Racecourses can also use 60% of their indoor capacity for hospitality purposes should attendees consuming food and beverages indoors provide evidence of their Digital Covid Vaccine Cert (DCC).

Both figures will rise to 100% if, as planned, all restrictions are lifted on October 22nd.

CHAMPIONS WEEKEND

Tickets for both Leopardstown and the Curragh will go on sale tomorrow, Friday, to members of the public who have registered their interest in advance, with the remainder of tickets going on general sale on Monday.

Both venues have set capacity at 4,000, and they will be mixed outdoor events with access to the indoor spaces, but with proof of a vaccine required for those consuming food and beverage indoors.

LISTOWEL HARVEST FESTIVAL, SEPTEMBER 19th-25th

Tickets for Listowel went on sale earlier this week through the racecourse website and most days are now sold out.

Listowel’s capacity for each of the seven days of their festival will be 2,000 per day and it will be an outdoor-only event.

Brian Kavanagh, chief executive of HRI, said: “It has been a very difficult 18 months for everybody in society, and racing can be proud of the way it has come through it. However, without racegoers, racing has been missing one of its essential ingredients.

“Like many industries, there is still much work to do, but there is now real progress and forward steps to normality. Welcoming back racegoers in measured but increasing numbers, is one of those steps and from Monday, Irish racecourses will be free to use 50% of their capacity to allow racegoers back on the track in real numbers."

“I would like to thank all our customers for their patience and look forward to race meetings becoming just that again – a place where racegoers can meet each other in a safe environment and enjoy our great sport.”

MORE ON THIS STORY IN THE IRISH FIELD THIS WEEKEND

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH GODOLPHIN TRAINER CHARLIE APPLEBY IN THE IRISH FIELD THIS WEEKEND