Races on first two days of Punchestown Festival to start earlier

Punchestown Racecourse on Thursday released details of plans and enhancements for the 2024 Punchestown Festival as the home of Irish jump racing prepare to launch ticket, hospitality and general sales for the flagship event running from April 30 to May 4.

The four-step plan has evolved from customer feedback, business analysis, market research and consultation. The scale of the five-day fixture, the commercial implications, economic impact and stakeholders are all considered when making such worthwhile and strategic alterations.

The four key changes for Punchestown Festival 2024 include:

The first two days of the 2024 Punchestown Festival will revert to a 2.30pm start from the current time of 3.40pm. Market research shows that around 70% of paying clients would ‘definitely or most probably’ like to see some of the festival days start and finish earlier. This will assist with travel and post racing arrangements.

Value for money is top of the agenda for most households and businesses. Following a full review of ticket pricing and products there will be a price reduction to €30 for the first three days and €40 for Friday and Saturday. As a premium sport and leisure event these prices compare very favourably.

There will be no early bird offers or promotions just one great value ticket offering for advance purchases.

The original Flexi ticket will be replaced by the new Choice Ticket that can be used Tuesday or Wednesday or Thursday only.

Senior, student, group and family ticket concessions continue and all children under 14 years of age race for free all season. Full value details available on www.punchestown.com

The Festival layout will undergo a full refresh including the removal of the traditional reserved enclosure and the introduction of new racegoer amenities. The objective is to optimise the scope of the enclosures, utilise all available facilities which in turn will improve footfall flow and reduce potential pressure points.

This point is neither new nor dynamic as the pursuit of excellent customer experience is an ongoing process. The enhancement of the race day visit will go hand-in-hand with the new layout. The Punchestown demographic is a diverse one with varied tastes and requirements for a memorable customer experience. Alongside our catering and service partners, we aim to deliver a selection of great quality food and beverage options with efficient, friendly service in comfortable surroundings.

Conor O’Neill Punchestown CEO explained the theory behind the proposed plan. He said: “Today’s announcement is a very positive one. We greatly appreciate feedback, good and bad as without it we cannot improve the product which we offer. If we’re not improving we’re going backwards, it’s as simple as that and in the current climate that is not something any business can afford to do.

“We say it time and time again that people make Punchestown, so it is those very people who have shaped and informed this plan and it is this plan that will help us deliver the best possible Punchestown experience we can to our customers who are the backbone of our business. If it doesn’t work for the customer it ultimately won’t work for Punchestown, so I hope we’ve got the balance right as we look ahead to the 2024 Punchestown Festival.”

Punchestown Festival tickets are now on sale. For more information, click here.