Fontwell Park Racecourse
Fontwell Park Racecourse is a UK jumps racing venue in West Sussex — the only figure-of-eight steeplechase course in the country — operating as a subsidiary of Arena Racing Company. It hosts 20+ race meetings annually and serves consumers, corporate clients, and wedding customers via tickets, hospitality, memberships, and venue hire.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1924
- HeadquartersArundel, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Fontwell Park Racecourse does
Fontwell Park Racecourse is a UK jumps horse racing venue located in Fontwell, near Arundel, West Sussex, operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Arena Racing Company (ARC), the UK's largest racing group which controls 16 racecourses. The venue hosts over 20 race meetings annually, including the feature Grade 2 National Spirit Hurdle with £80,000 in prize money, and is the only racecourse in the UK featuring a figure-of-eight steeplechase course — a unique physical asset that anchors its brand identity. Beyond racing, Fontwell Park operates as a multi-purpose venue, offering weddings (using historic Fontwell House as a backdrop), corporate conferences, Christmas party nights, and private celebrations through the ARC-owned YourVENUE brand.
The company runs a multi-revenue-stream business model comprising raceday ticket sales (standard £16-£33, Premier up to £33), hospitality packages (£36-£99 per person including Premier Lounge Restaurant, private boxes, and suite experiences), venue hire, annual memberships (£79-£290), gift vouchers valid across all 16 ARC venues, and sponsorship/advertising revenue from bookmaker annual marketing fees, grandstand naming rights (Land & Power Grandstand), and event sponsorships. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via an owned e-commerce ticketing platform with supplementary sales through the Seat Unique hospitality marketplace and a dedicated corporate sales team.
Governance is exercised at two levels: venue-level operations are led by Executive Director Guy Pridie with a small commercial team, while group-level functions including ticketing infrastructure, the Rewards4Racing loyalty programme, media rights (via ARC subsidiary The Racing Partnership), and central marketing are handled by Arena Racing Company. The company has 11-50 direct employees at the venue level, supplemented by ARC's 650 permanent and 3,500 casual staff across the group. There is no public listing or external institutional investment; ownership rests entirely within the ARC corporate structure.
Fontwell Park Racecourse firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Fontwell Park Racecourse
- Legal name
- Fontwell Park Racecourse Limited
- Website
- https://fontwellpark.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1924
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Fontwell Park Racecourse is a UK jumps racing venue in West Sussex — the only figure-of-eight steeplechase course in the country — operating as a subsidiary of Arena Racing Company. It hosts 20+ race meetings annually and serves consumers, corporate clients, and wedding customers via tickets, hospitality, memberships, and venue hire.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Fontwell Park Racecourse industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Horse Racing Venue and Sports Hospitality
- 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
- Racetrack & Race Meeting Operations (MPAEADAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Racecourse Hospitality, Sponsorship & On-Track Experiences (MPAEADAM)
Keywords
Where Fontwell Park Racecourse is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Arundel
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Fontwell Park Racecourse business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Race Day Ticket Sales: Direct consumer sales of admission tickets across various enclosures (Grandstand, Premier) with early bird and standard pricing tiers. Family bundles and group discounts available.
- Hospitality & Dining: Premium raceday experiences including Premier Lounge Restaurant (private tables, three-course menus), private boxes/suites, Social Celebration Box packages, and various food/beverage bundle packages.
- Venue Hire: Corporate hire for conferences and events, wedding packages (Fontwell House, Paddock Marquee, Premier Suite), Christmas party nights, and celebration events.
- Gift Vouchers & Memberships: Gift vouchers (various denominations) valid across all 16 ARC racecourses. Annual membership providing access to all Fontwell fixtures plus reciprocal racecourses.
- Sponsorship & Advertising: Bookmaker annual marketing fees, grandstand naming rights (Land & Power Grandstand), race sponsorships, and partner advertising placements.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard Admission - Grandstand |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Premier Admission |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Food & Drink Packages |
| Subscription | Annual | 2026 Annual Membership - Half Year |
| Subscription | Annual | Junior Membership |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Simply Christmas Party Night |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Social Celebration Box |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Premier Viewing Suite |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Gift Vouchers |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Miss Fontwell Competition |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Black Friday Voucher Top-Up |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels9 records
Fontwell Park Racecourse product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Fontwell Park Racecourse operates a jumps horse racing venue in West Sussex hosting over 20 race meetings annually, including the Grade 2 National Spirit Hurdle. Its core offerings include raceday admission tickets, premium hospitality packages (Premier Lounge Restaurant, Private Boxes, Social Celebration Box, Premier Viewing Suite), food and beverage bundles, themed events (Ladies Evening, Oktoberfest, Family Festival, Christmas Party Nights), and private venue hire for weddings and corporate events. The racecourse also sells gift vouchers, annual memberships, and bookmaker marketing fees/sponsorships.
Product overview
Fontwell Park Racecourse is a horse racing venue in West Sussex offering a portfolio of ticketing, hospitality, and venue hire products. Core offerings include race day admission tickets (from £16-£28 general, £33 Premier) and hospitality packages (Premier Lounge Restaurant, Private Boxes, Social Celebration Box). Add-on products include food and beverage bundles (Bake House Bundle, Premier Cafe Combo), event-specific packages (Family Festival, Ladies Evening, Oktoberfest, Christmas Party Nights), and services (Gift Vouchers, Annual Memberships, Junior Memberships, Horsewalk Lounge VIP access). The venue also offers private hire for weddings, corporate events, and celebrations, with Fontwell House as a featured wedding backdrop. Feature race meetings include the National Spirit Hurdle (Grade 2, £80,000), Southern National, and Boxing Day Racing.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Race Day Admission Standard entry tickets to Fontwell Park Racecourse providing access to grandstand public areas, racing views of the finishing line and home straight, parade ring, winners enclosure, public bars, eateries, and betting outlets. General admission from £16-£28; Premier enclosure from £27-£33.
- Hospitality Packages Premium raceday hospitality experiences including the Premier Lounge Restaurant (private tables, three-course menus), private boxes with unrivalled views and dedicated service, the Social Celebration Box with balcony access and grazing board menu, and the Premier Viewing Suite. Sold via the venue's own tickets platform and Seat Unique marketplace.
- The Bake House Bundle Raceday bundle combining admission with a hot pork or beef bap (or vegan kebab wrap) plus one drink (beer, wine, or soft drink) and grandstand access. Priced at £39.
- The Premier Cafe Combo Raceday bundle combining admission with a beef or veggie burger, fries, and a choice of beer, wine, or soft drink, with grandstand public areas access. Priced at £44.
- Themed Raceday Events (Ladies Evening, Oktoberfest, Family Festival, Christmas Party Nights) Seasonal and themed raceday events combining live horse racing with entertainment such as fashion shows (Ladies Evening), Bavarian-themed lager and oompah bands (Oktoberfest), free children's entertainment and K-POP acts (Family Festival), and festive dining with entertainment (Christmas Party Nights).
- Gift Vouchers Gift vouchers valid for 12 months against online tickets and restaurant packages at all 16 ARC Racecourses. Available in £10, £35, £50, and £100 denominations and sent via email.
- Annual Membership
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 20 race meetings annually
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Fontwell Park Racecourse
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Fontwell Park Racecourse technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Fontwell Park Racecourse partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- WhichbookieminorPartnership with three Arena Racing Company tracks for betting industry collaboration and promotions.
- Land & Power LimitedcoreCivil and electrical contractors from Henfield, West Sussex, sponsoring the Premier Grandstand for 2 years. Company has equestrian roots and supports Gary Moore Racing stables. Focus on renewable energy including solar farm construction.
- Orchid: Male Cancer CharityminorMale cancer charity supported during Gentlemen's Evening to raise awareness and funds. Charity focuses on prostate, testicular and penile cancer through research, education and nurse-led services.
- Gunwharf QuaysminorSouth's leading designer shopping outlet with over 90 brands, providing prizes for Ladies Evening Best Dressed competition including £100 vouchers for finalists and prize worth up to £1,000.
- Fox TailoringminorGentlemen's Day partner providing bespoke hand-tailored suit worth £650 for Best Dressed Gentleman competition winner.
- Performance FoundationsminorFamily-run piling and foundations contractors with 45+ years experience, taking title sponsorship of Gentlemen's Day event.
- NetBetminorOnline gambling partner sponsoring Gentlemen's Evening fixture and donating £100 charity bet to Orchid male cancer charity.
- Arena Racing Company (ARC)coreFontwell Park is part of Arena Racing Company group operating 16 racecourses across the UK. ARC provides central support including marketing, ticketing systems, HR, and group-wide initiatives like Rewards4Racing loyalty programme and YourVENUE events brand.
- Rewards4RacingcoreARC's loyalty rewards programme allowing members to earn points on ticket purchases, raceday packages, hospitality, betting with partners, and shopping with retailers. Points convert to cash for future purchases.
- The Racing PartnershipcoreARC subsidiary representing media rights of 15 ARC racecourses and 7 independent racecourses (Fakenham, Ffos Las, Hexham, Newton Abbot, Plumpton, Ripon, Towcester).
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Fontwell Park Racecourse competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Cartmel Racecourse: Independent small Cumbria jumps track with a similar fixture count and a strong weddings/corporate hire business. Direct comparison point on pricing, themed-event programming and yield per fixture at a comparable UK NH track.
- Plumpton Racecourse: Small East Sussex jumps racecourse also operated within the ARC group, hosting a similar winter National Hunt programme and venue-hire functions. Most directly comparable by tier, schedule and parent affiliation.
- Doncaster Racecourse: Major ARC racecourse in Yorkshire hosting the Grade 1 Champion Hurdle trial and St Leger Festival. Useful benchmark for how group-wide marketing, Rewards4Racing and YourVENUE are deployed at larger revenue base.
- Fakenham Racecourse: Small Norfolk jumps course on a regional fixture pattern, represented alongside Fontwell within The Racing Partnership media-rights deal. Closely comparable in scale and operating model outside the ARC core.
- Brighton Racecourse: Sister ARC venue in Sussex sharing a Clerk of the Course with Fontwell. Both run a mixed fixture list combining racing with non-racing venue hire for weddings and corporate clients in the southern coastal belt.
- Lingfield Park Racecourse: ARC racecourse in Surrey offering both flat and jumps racing plus an extensive conference/exhibition and weddings arm via the on-site hotel — providing a benchmark for how an ARC venue monetises dual racing-and-events operations.
Broad incumbents
- Ascot Racecourse: Premium UK racecourse owned by Ascot Racecourse Ltd, hosting Royal Ascot and the highest-grade jumps events. A broad incumbent reference point on premium hospitality pricing, membership economics and sponsorship yield.
- York Racecourse: Independent premium flat venue in Yorkshire with a high-spend hospitality model and strong non-racing events calendar. Comparable benchmark for sponsorship, conference/wedding hire and premium enclosure pricing at a higher tier.
- Cheltenham Racecourse: Jockey Club-owned flagship jumps venue behind the Cheltenham Festival. Comparable as the UK's premier NH destination and reference point for tier-1 jumps event marketing and ticket pricing.
Regional players
- Goodwood Racecourse: West Sussex neighbour operating the Qatar Goodwood Festival (Glorious Goodwood). Closest geographic peer in the same county — useful benchmark for southern English racing/hospitality positioning.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Fontwell Park Racecourse social profiles
Digital presenceFontwell Park Racecourse financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Fontwell Park Racecourse leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Fontwell Park Racecourse funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Fontwell Park Racecourse M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Fontwell Park Racecourse
What does Fontwell Park Racecourse do?
Fontwell Park Racecourse operates a jumps horse racing venue in West Sussex hosting over 20 race meetings annually, including the Grade 2 National Spirit Hurdle. Its core offerings include raceday admission tickets, premium hospitality packages (Premier Lounge Restaurant, Private Boxes, Social Celebration Box, Premier Viewing Suite), food and beverage bundles, themed events (Ladies Evening, Oktoberfest, Family Festival, Christmas Party Nights), and private venue hire for weddings and corporate events. The racecourse also sells gift vouchers, annual memberships, and bookmaker marketing fees/sponsorships.
Is Fontwell Park Racecourse a public or private company?
Fontwell Park Racecourse is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Fontwell Park Racecourse founded?
Fontwell Park Racecourse was founded in 1924. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Fontwell Park Racecourse based?
Fontwell Park Racecourse is headquartered in Arundel, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Fontwell Park Racecourse make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Race Day Ticket Sales are the primary driver. The others are hospitality & Dining, venue Hire, gift Vouchers & Memberships and sponsorship & Advertising.
Who are Fontwell Park Racecourse's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Cartmel Racecourse, Plumpton Racecourse, Doncaster Racecourse, Fakenham Racecourse, Brighton Racecourse and Lingfield Park Racecourse. Broad incumbents are Ascot Racecourse, York Racecourse and Cheltenham Racecourse. Goodwood Racecourse is listed as a regional player.
Does Fontwell Park Racecourse have an API?
No public API is recorded for Fontwell Park Racecourse.
What industry is Fontwell Park Racecourse in?
Fontwell Park Racecourse's product category is Horse Racing Venue and Sports Hospitality. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAEADAA, Racetrack & Race Meeting Operations, with a secondary code of MPAEADAM, Racecourse Hospitality, Sponsorship & On-Track Experiences. Its NAICS code is 711212 and its SIC code is 7948.