Leicester Racecourse

What Leicester Racecourse does

Leicester Racecourse Co Ltd is a privately-held, dual-purpose venue operating as a regulated horse racing facility and multi-format event centre on a 220-acre site in Oadby, just outside Leicester. The core racing operation runs up to 29 fixtures per year across Flat (18) and Jumps (11) disciplines on a 1.75-mile oval course with 10 fences and a water jump, supported by 106 stables including 6 high-security units. On-course betting is provided through licensed partners William Hill, Britbet/Tote, and independent bookmakers, with live racing broadcast via the venue's Racing TV shareholder partnership.

The venue operates an integrated events business layered onto the racing infrastructure. The Kube, a 700 sqm purpose-built event hall opened in July 2014, anchors a venue-hire portfolio spanning conferences (up to 650 delegates), exhibitions, weddings (both full-service and self-hire Asian-wedding dry-hire accommodating up to 550 guests), Christmas parties, wakes, and corporate hospitality across multiple rooms including Premier Rooms, Nelson Suite, Club Suite, and Trackside Marquee. Raceday hospitality packages (Trackside Marquee and Paddock Pavilion priced from £150 per person, minimum 100 guests) layer catering, private betting facilities, and tipster service onto the racing product.

Revenue is generated across six streams: race-day admissions via online ticketing and a dedicated mobile app; hospitality packages; venue hire; self-hire weddings; on-site food and beverage; and race-day sponsorship and advertising. Distribution is direct (named sales leads for hospitality, weddings, and conferences) supplemented by self-serve online ticketing and earned media through Racing TV's national broadcast. The venue holds ROA Gold Standard recognition and operates with 11–50 employees under General Manager David Maykels, with no disclosed parent company, institutional investor, or external funding.

Name

Leicester Racecourse

Legal name

Leicester Racecourse Co Ltd

Website

https://leicester-racecourse.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1773

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Leicester Racecourse Co Ltd is a privately-held dual Flat and Jumps racing venue in Oadby, UK, hosting 29 annual fixtures on a 220-acre site and operating The Kube event hall plus multiple rooms for conferences, weddings, corporate hospitality, and exhibitions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Horse Racing and Event Venue Services

NAICS

Racetracks (711212), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (711310)

SIC

Services-Racing, Including Track Operation (7948), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Racecourse Hospitality, Sponsorship & On-Track Experiences (MPAEADAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Venue-Owned/Operated Event Organizers (In-House Promoters) (MPAKADAI), Fairgrounds & Expo Parks (THAHAAAH)

Keywords

• Horse racing venue
• Racecourse hospitality
• Wedding venue hire
• Conference event space
• Exhibition venue services

Headquarters

HQ city

Leicester

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Race Day Admissions: Ticket sales for 29 annual race meetings including general admission and various enclosure upgrades
2. Hospitality Packages: Premium raceday hospitality including executive boxes, premier rooms, pavilion packages, and trackside marquee experiences with catering included. Packages range from £150 per person for marquee dining
3. Venue Hire: Rental of event spaces for conferences, exhibitions, weddings, Christmas parties, wakes and celebrations. Spaces include The Kube (up to 550 guests), Nelson Suite (250), Club Suite (120), Paddock Pavilion (300), and Trackside Marquee (300)
4. Self-Hire Wedding Packages: Dry hire arrangements allowing external caterers and decorators, with venue rental including parking, Wi-Fi and premises officer support. Popular for Asian weddings accommodating up to 550 guests in The Kube
5. Food and Beverage: On-site food and drink sales including restaurants, bars, race day buffets, and formal dining experiences
6. Sponsorship and Advertising: Race day sponsorship packages, naming rights, trackside banners, parade ring branding, big screen advertising, racecard advertising, fence advertising, and starting stalls sponsorship

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Leicester Racecourse is a dual Flat and Jumps racing venue in the East Midlands hosting up to 29 race meetings annually, and operates as a multi-purpose event venue offering raceday hospitality, conferences, weddings, exhibitions, and Christmas parties across its 220-acre Oadby site. Core revenue is generated through race day admissions, hospitality packages (executive boxes, pavilion, trackside marquee, restaurant, premier rooms), and venue hire including The Kube, a 700 sq metre purpose-built event space opened in 2014.

Product overview

Leicester Racecourse operates as a multi-faceted venue offering horse racing events and diverse event hire services. The core offering comprises horse racing (up to 29 annual meetings across Flat and Jumps disciplines) and hospitality packages (Executive Boxes, Pavilion, Trackside Marquee, Restaurant, and Premier Rooms). Event venue hire spans conferences/meetings (up to 650 delegates), weddings (both full-service and self-hire options), exhibitions, and Christmas parties across multiple spaces including The Kube (a dedicated 700 sq metre event building opened in 2014). Ancillary services include food and drink catering, wakes/celebration of life events, and seasonal feature race meetings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Horse Racing Events Dual Flat and Jumps racing venue hosting up to 29 race meetings annually (18 Flat and 11 Jumps), open to the general public for race day attendance, betting, and entertainment.
• Hospitality Packages Raceday hospitality offerings including Executive Boxes, Pavilion, Trackside Marquee, Restaurant dining, and Premier Rooms for private events hosting up to 260 guests.
• The Kube Event Space A 700 sq metre purpose-built event space accommodating up to 550 guests on round tables, 800+ theatre style, suitable for conferences, exhibitions, weddings and large-scale events.
• Meetings and Conferences Conference and meeting room hire with capacity for up to 650 delegates, featuring multiple rooms, Wi-Fi throughout, competitive day delegate rates, and outdoor event spaces.
• Self-Hire Weddings Dry hire wedding packages allowing couples to bring their own caterers and decor, with venues including The Kube (up to 550 guests), Trackside Marquee (up to 300), Nelson Suite (up to 250), and Club Suite (up to 120).
• Full-Service Weddings Complete wedding package with dedicated wedding team, civil ceremony licences in multiple rooms, catering included, and coordination from booking through the event day.
• Exhibitions Exhibition hire services using The Kube and grandstand spaces, with experienced team support for creating vibrant exhibition environments.
• Christmas Parties and Events Christmas party packages featuring three-course meals, live music, and disco until 1 AM, with private party options in Club Room (up to 100) and Nelson Suite (up to 230).
• Wakes and Celebration of Life Respectful funeral wake and celebration of life venue hire accommodating minimum 50 guests, with simple menu options and experienced hospitality team.
• Paddock Pavilion Hospitality Luxury hospitality space overlooking the paddock lawn, parade ring and winners enclosure, with entrance badges, cheese board, and private betting facilities from £150 per person.
• Premier Rooms Hospitality Two prestigious private rooms (Premier Room 1 for up to 50 guests, Premier Room 2 for up to 25) with Club Terrace access, cold buffet or finger bowl dining, and private bars.
• Trackside Marquee Hospitality Outdoor marquee on the picnic lawn with panoramic racecourse views, offering entrance badges, two-course buffet, cheese board, racecards, private betting, and tipster from £150 per person (minimum 100 guests).
• Food and Drink Services

Quantifiable outcome

• The Kube accommodates 550+ seated guests or 800+ theatre style
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Racing TVcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2004Racing TV is Britain and Ireland's premier horseracing channel broadcasting live HD action from 62 racecourses including Leicester. Racing TV returns profits to racecourses and has contributed over £100 million in licence fees to shareholder racecourses. Leicester Racecourse is showcased on Racing TV which reaches audiences via Sky, Virgin Media, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, and online platforms.
• William HillcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWilliam Hill operates a licensed betting shop on the ground floor of the main Grandstand at Leicester Racecourse. Founded in 1934, William Hill has over 1,400 shops and operates on over 35 UK racecourses including Leicester.
• Britbet (Tote)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBritbet operates Tote betting outlets at Leicester Racecourse. The Tote has been at the heart of racing for over ninety years, both at Leicester Racecourse and via www.Tote.co.uk.
• Grace & DottyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAffiliate partner providing country clothing merchandise. Grace & Dotty designs, develops, and hand-finishes tweed capes, ponchos, hats, and accessories, sourced from family-run mills in England, Scotland, and Ireland.
• SpreadexminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAffiliate betting partner formed in 1999, regulated by FCA and Gambling Commission. Won Best Spread Betting Platform at 2025 ADVFN Awards with 4.4/5 Trust Pilot ratings from 1,500+ reviews.
• Voluntary Action Leicestershire (VAL)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerVAL is the official charity sponsor for Leicester Racecourse events. The charity empowers local communities and has been integral to Leicester and Leicestershire for over 60 years.
• Dark Horse WineminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAffiliate partner providing Californian wines. Dark Horse crafts wines using traditional techniques with innovative technology and sources grapes from 400+ growers.
• Molson CoorsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBeverage supplier providing beer brands including Coors Light, Miller Lite, Molson Canadian, Carling, Doom Bar, and Staropramen for on-site consumption.
• KiiRO CreativeminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMidlands-based creative agency providing website design and branding services for Leicester Racecourse. Site credits KiiRO Creative for site design.
• NucleusHRminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHR services provider referenced in privacy policy as a data processor. NucleusHR provides HR expertise, staffing support, and compliance services with over 23 years experience.
• The Belmont HotelminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAA 4-star rated 74-room independent hotel on New Walk, Leicester. Recommended as nearby accommodation for racecourse visitors. Located minutes from city centre and railway station.
• MHA Baker Tilly InternationalminorOthersIndependent UK member of Baker Tilly International providing audit, tax, consulting, and advisory services. Referenced as data processor in privacy documentation.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Warwick Racecourse: Mid-sized UK dual-purpose Flat and Jumps racecourse with comparable venue-hire, conference, and wedding business in the West Midlands. Closest direct analog in scale and operating model.
• Wetherby Racecourse: Regional Yorkshire racecourse hosting both Flat and Jumps meetings, plus conference, wedding, and Christmas party venue hire — directly comparable mix of racing and venue diversification.
• Uttoxeter Racecourse: Mid-sized Midlands/Staffordshire racecourse with Jumps focus, conferences, weddings, and events hire — comparable regional dual-purpose venue business.
• Sedgefield Racecourse: Regional Northern racecourse operating Jumps and limited Flat fixtures alongside conference and event hire; similar scale and venue diversification strategy.
• Market Rasen Racecourse: Lincolnshire-based Jumps-focused racecourse with venue hire, weddings, and conferences — directly comparable mid-sized regional racing and events venue.
• Catterick Racecourse: North Yorkshire dual-purpose racecourse with similar conference, wedding, and event hire diversification, comparable attendance scale.
• Towcester Racecourse: Recently reopened Northamptonshire racecourse venue offering racing, weddings, conferences, and events — comparable model with renewed investment in event venue positioning.
• Fakenham Racecourse: Small Norfolk Jumps racecourse offering racing, weddings, conferences, and private events — comparable small regional racecourse diversifying into venue hire.

Broad incumbents

• The Jockey Club: Largest UK racecourse group operating Cheltenham, Aintree, Newmarket, Epsom, and Sandown among others. Broad incumbent with overlapping racing and venue hire but significantly larger scale and prestige.
• Arena Racing Company (ARC): Operates 15+ UK racecourses (Doncaster, Lingfield, Wolverhampton, etc.) alongside conferencing and events — large-scale incumbent with overlapping venue hire and racing business.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/leicesterraces
• Facebookfacebook.com/leicesterraces
• Instagraminstagram.com/leicesterraces
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/leicester-racecourse

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Leicester Racecourse