NASCAR is quietly putting the groundwork for one of the most important shifts in its modern era, starting with a major renovation of Talladega Superspeedway and culminating in an expanded, refreshed 2027 Cup Series schedule with potential new venues.
Talladega Superspeedway is one of sports’ most historic and largest racetracks on the schedule. The venue is set to undergo a major renovation, a previously unreported renovation as part of sport’s long-term infrastructure plans, according to recent reports from Sports Business Journal’s Adam Stern.
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While specific details are still emerging, the project is expected to modernize facilities, improve fan amenities, and enhance the overall race-day experience at the 2.66-mile-long Talladega racetrack located in Lincoln, Alabama.
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In Stern’s report, according to NASCAR Holdings Executive Vice President Ben Kennedy, the sanctioning body is exploring “a couple of potential new venues” for the 2027 schedule and beyond.
While no tracks have been officially revealed, Stern’s report indicates that several cities and regions are actively courting NASCAR, including offers to host big events such as the championship race.
Julie Giese, who successfully oversaw the Chicago Street Race launch, has been tapped to steer NASCAR’s scheduling efforts for 2027 and beyond.
According to Kennedy, she is already deep into shaping the next generation of the Cup Series calendar, including evaluating the venues of the Clash exhibition and the Championship Race in 2027 and beyond.
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NASCAR will begin a rotation system for the Championship race with this season. The 2026 season finale will be held at Homestead-Miami Speedway before future locations are announced. The next year’s finale race will be held at a different venue.
Kennedy, who also serves as chief venue and racing innovations officer, confirmed that several cities expressed interest in hosting series’ title race in 2027.
The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season is set to kick off this weekend at Daytona
The 2026 Cup Series season officially starts with the 68th running of the Daytona 500 on Sunday, February 15, 2026, the first of 36 points-paying races of the season. The race will begin at 2:30 pm ET.
However, the 2026 season unofficially kicked off with the preseason exhibition Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium last Wednesday, where RFK Racing driver Ryan Preece emerged victorious.
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Now, it’s time for the biggest race of the year, the Daytona 500, often called “The Great American Race,” which kicks off Speedweeks at Daytona International Speedway.
All the track activity of the season-opening weekend will be telecast on FS1 and FOX.
“I just changed my phone number,” Koepka said Tuesday at the Players Championship. “Basically [it’s] only my family and anybody golf related [who] has my number right now. It’s been kind of nice.”
Still, there’s little question at this week’s Players Championship about who — or, more accurately, what — does have Koepka’s number: the famed island-green 17th.
Despite a prolific career as perhaps the best big-game hunter of golf’s modern era, Koepka has endured an unusual stretch as perhaps the most tortured golfer in the recent history of the island green.
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“The 17th hole,” he said, smiling, when asked about the biggest challenge at TPC Sawgrass. “I don’t know if there’s stats on it, but I guarantee there are. One year I made an 8 and a 7. Yeah, that wasn’t very good. But that 17th hole has gotten me over the years. I’ve played good rounds here; that’s just kind of the one bugaboo that always gets me.”
Bugaboo might be an undertstatment. According to the PGA Tour’s ShotLink accounting, Koepka has played the hole nearly a full stroke over par for his career, including nine water balls and a pair of 7s in just nine tries. (For better or worse, Koepka’s bad memories of the hole might be running together: He never recorded a 8.)
The 17th has a well-documented history as a nightmare factory, but the five-time major champ says he hasn’t reached thatstage of the proceedings just yet.
“No, I don’t think about it,” Koepka said. “It doesn’t haunt me. I mean my friends, they give me a bunch of crap about it. Between 17 and 12 at Augusta, it seems to be the par-3s.”
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As Koepka pointed out Tuesday, at least one of the higher scores could be chalked up to bad luck on a seriously windy day in 2022.
“I think the last time we played here, I think I hit 5-iron on the hole,” he said with a chuckle. “It was the year it was blowing like crazy. Somebody hit 6-iron, I think, and came up short, so I hit 5, then it went over. I mean, it’s kind of tough to argue when it’s blowing 35.”
That said, bad conditions haven’t stopped Koepka’s pals from extracting their pound of flesh.
“Yeah, my friends bust my chops about it pretty good,” he said. “But it’s in the past. Nothing I can do about it. But I hit the green yesterday, so I was pretty pumped about that.”
Mike Tyson has shared his verdict on who he ranks higher between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.
Mayweather and Pacquiao are regarded as two of the biggest boxing legends in recent history, with their success leading to a battle between the pair at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas back in May 2015.
With Mayweather now 49 and Pacquiao 47, both men are far past their best, and the debate has often raged on amongst boxing fans over which man was greater than the other during their prime years.
Mayweather retired with a perfect 50-0 record, defeating the likes of Oscar De La Hoya and Canelo Alvarez, while Pacquiao is boxing’s only eight-division world champion in history, claiming wins over fighters such as Juan Manuel Marquez and Miguel Cotto.
Heavyweight icon Tyson once weighed in with his own view on who was better between the two, as he revealed that he felt Pacquiao had achieved more.
“Pacquiao is better than Floyd. He overcame adversity. Knocked cold and came back and had some sensational fights with opponents that supersede any of the opponents that Floyd fought.”
Their first meeting, which resulted in Mayweather winning by unanimous decision, took place in 2015 and became the most lucrative boxing event of all time.
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Even back then, the former multi-division world champions were considered to be past their primes, with Pacquiao, in particular, no longer possessing the speed and ferocity he was always known for.
To his credit, though, the Filipino has amassed eight professional outings since their first encounter, with his latest assignment arriving against Mario Barrios last July.
Mayweather, meanwhile, has not fought professionally since his 10th-round stoppage victory over Conor McGregor in 2017, yet his dominant victory over ‘Pac Man’ over two years prior has led many to predict a similar outcome for their rematch.
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One of whom is Romero, who told Last Stand Podcast that he cannot see Pacquiao, at 47 years old, making any drastic changes to his original performance.
“Floyd wins. And whatever happens, happens. It’s meant to be. Whoever God wants to win is going to win.
“But what would be the difference [to] the first fight? Was there really anything different that Pacquiao could have [done]?”
Mayweather, now 49, has been involved in a series of exhibition matches since his victory over McGregor, but is now gearing up to put his 50-0 record on the line.
Lakers superstar Luka Dončić revealed he is in a custody battle with fiancée Anamaria Goltes over his two daughters and that the couple has separated.
“I love my daughters more than anything, and I’ve been doing everything I can for them to be with me in the U.S. during the season, but that hasn’t been possible, so I recently made the tough decision to end my engagement,” Doncic said in the statement released to ESPN.
“Everything I do is for my daughters’ happiness, and I will always fight to be with them and give them the best life I can.”
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Dončić (77) looks to shoot against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace (22) during the second half at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla., Nov. 12, 2025.(Nate Billings/AP Photo)
Goltes filed a petition for child support and attorneys’ fees in California, TMZ reported Tuesday.
Dončić then said in a statement he had recently ended his engagement to Goltes because he was unable to have his daughters with him in the U.S. during the season.
The 27-year-old Dončić and Goltes had been dating for a decade after meeting as teenagers in Slovenia. They became engaged in July 2023, and their daughters were born in November 2023 and December 2025, when Dončić left the Lakers to travel to Slovenia when younger daughter Olivia was born.
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Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Dončić watches game action during the first half at Intuit Dome.(Gary A. Vasquez/Imagn Images)
Dončić moved from Dallas to Los Angeles in a trade for Anthony Davis in February 2025. He agreed to a three-year, $165 million contract extension with the Lakers last summer, cementing his near future in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Dončić reacts while watching a tribute video before a game against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center(Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images)
Dončić is the NBA’s leading scorer this season at 32.5 points per game, and he ranks third with 8.4 assists while grabbing 7.8 rebounds.
Jackson Thompson is a sports reporter for Fox News Digital covering critical political and cultural issues in sports, with an investigative lens. Jackson’s reporting has been cited in federal government actions related to the enforcement of Title IX, and in legacy media outlets including The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Associated Press and ESPN.com.
Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust called for “emergency action” with interim head coach Igor Tudor on the brink after a chaotic 5-2 loss at Atletico Madrid.
More records tumbled for Spurs on an extraordinary night where back-up goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky had to be withdrawn after 17 minutes due to two terrible errors.
Defeat made Tudor the first Tottenham boss to lose his first four games in charge.
A shambolic 5-2 loss in the first leg of this last-16 tie also meant Spurs have lost six games in a row for the first time in their history.
Tudor has only been in charge for 25 days, but refused to answer questions about his future and Tottenham have been urged to act.
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“Tonight’s performance and result is a total disgrace. It’s symptomatic of the abysmal state of things at Spurs right now,” a statement from THST read.
“From the January transfer window to the management appointments, the lack of leadership and the total absence of anyone with a Spurs pedigree informing these decisions. Where is the Daring to Do? Where are the Echoes of Glory?
“Emergency action is needed as right now we are sleepwalking off the edge of a cliff. Being a Spurs fan has never been so difficult but supporters will not sit by and watch the club continue to decline.
“At the very least those in Madrid should have their match tickets refunded. But all we really care about is that the club make us proud. We are here to support the team and be the 12th man. But we all deserve so much more.”
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Tudor’s bold call to hand Kinsky a first start since October backfired with only six minutes played when he scuffed an attempted crossfield pass and Marcos Llorente subsequently slotted home.
A slip by Micky van de Ven allowed Antoine Griezmann to make it 2-0 in the 14th minute and 92 seconds later Kinsky’s coup de grace occurred.
Van de Ven sent the ball back to Kinsky and he miscued his pass in horror fashion, which allowed Julian Alvarez to walk the ball in.
Kinsky planted his face into the turf and was withdrawn after Tottenham captain Cristian Romero walked over to speak with Tudor.
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Asked if Romero made the call to substitute Kinsky, Tudor responded: “My decision of course.”
Pushed on if he deserved to carry on, Tudor responded: “No comment.
“It is not a topic for me. It is not about my job, it is about how to help the team. It will be always be about that.
“I recognise what we are and which problems we have. I recognise that every game, something happens. Sometimes it is very difficult to explain.”
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Spurs showed a semblance of fight after Robin Le Normand made it 4-0 in the 22nd minute, with Pedro Porro and Dominic Solanke able to score either side of a second for Alvarez after 55 minutes.
At 5-2 down, Tottenham’s Champions League campaign is all but over but Atletico boss Diego Simeone warned against complacency.
“We never know for sure if we always go through,” Simeone insisted.
“I remember the game we lost 3-0 (to Real Madrid) at Bernabeu and then we were back winning and (Karim) Benzema scored a goal and we had a chance to beat them.
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“This is the Champions League and it’s made for important players. Of course all these teams have important players.”
Xavier Musketeers forward Tre Carroll (12) drives against Seton Hall Pirates guard Elijah Fisher (22) in the first half of the NCAA Big East conference basketball game between the Xavier Musketeers and the Seton Hall Pirates at the Cintas Center in Cincinnati on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. Xavier trailed 33-32 at halftime.
NEW YORK — In his first season coaching in the Big East, Richard Pitino often praised the scoring prowess of Tre Carroll and lamented Xavier’s shaky defense.
After four straight NCAA tournament appearances, Marquette could not compensate for the departures from last season’s roster and is finishing a disappointing season.
For the second straight season, the Musketeers and Golden Eagles get together in the Big East tournament, but Wednesday’s opening-round contest is one without an NCAA berth on the line.
Last season, the schools met in the four-five matchup in the quarterfinals won by the Golden Eagles. But this year is drastically different since Marquette is seventh and Xavier is 10th, with the winner facing second-seeded UConn on Thursday.
Xavier (14-17) earned its lowest seed in the tournament and is on the verge of its second losing campaign in three seasons. The Musketeers allowed 80 points in 17 games and lost 14 of those contests, including Saturday’s 91-78 loss at Villanova.
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Xavier allowed 56.5% shooting in its regular-season finale, the 12th time it allowed at least 50%. Xavier also allowed 13 3s and 24 assists and its defense negated a 21-point showing from Jovan Milicevic.
“We guard nobody. We just guard nobody,” Pitino said. “We just hope they miss. I love our guys. They’re trying.”
After transferring from Florida Atlantic, Carroll averaged 18 points and was second in the Big East behind Providence’s Jaylin Sellers. Carroll missed a chance to win the scoring title by sitting out Saturday with a right hip injury sustained during last week’s nine-point loss to Seton Hall.
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Carroll, who was named to the All-Big East first team, is day-to-day. If he sits, Isaiah Walker would likely get the start after scoring 10 points Saturday.
Following the departures of Kam Jones, David Joplin and Stevie Mitchell, Marquette (12-19) is finishing its third losing season as a Big East member though it heads into the tournament with three wins in its past four games.
The Golden Eagles allowed less than 70 points in each of their final four games and earned a 68-62 victory over fourth-ranked UConn on Saturday, when they allowed 35.6% shooting and forced 16 turnovers in the final regular-season game for Ben Gold and Chase Ross.
“It’s been a year that, at times, we’ve been good on one end and not as good on the other end,” Marquette coach Shaka Smart said. “You got to put them both together if you want to win in March.”
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Nigel James Jr. scored 19 on Saturday and had three 30-point games in his freshman season, including 30 points in Marquette’s 96-88 loss at Xavier on Feb. 14.
Jon Rahm should pay the fines levied against him by the DP World Tour in order to play in the Ryder Cup, Justin Rose says.
But Rahm “may have a point,” Rose said, in the tour making Rahm and other tour members play additional tour events as part of a settlement for participating in LIV Golf events.
Rose’s comments came Tuesday at the Players Championship, and they follow a DP World Tour announcement on Feb. 21 that said eight of its members had been given conditional releases to play in LIV events this year, in exchange for payment of fines for playing in past LIV events, participation in “additional” tour events and withdrawal of appeals. Previously, DP World Tour pros who played in conflicting events were fined and suspended — and the announcement cleared the way for participation on next year’s European Ryder Cup team, as tour membership is required.
But Rahm was not among the eight. (Laurie Canter, Thomas Detry, Tyrrell Hatton, Tom McKibbin, Adrian Meronk, Victor Perez, David Puig and Elvis Smylie were the LIV pros who were named.) As for his reason, Rahm said last week it came down to the additional events requirement — for a pro to hold DP World Tour membership, he must play four events, but Rahm said he was being asked to play six, including two that the tour will “dictate.”
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“Now, I did tell them, funny enough, lower that to four events, like the minimum says, and I’ll sign tonight,” Rahm said. “They haven’t agreed to that. I just refuse to play six events. I don’t want to, and that’s not what the rules say.”
Rahm’s participation in next year’s Ryder Cup event now appears to hinge on an appeal of the DP World Tour’s punishment for playing in LIV events. On Tuesday, the situation led a reporter to ask Rose what he’d like to see his three-time Ryder Cup teammate do — and Rose started his answer by noting that the eight other LIV pros had agreed to the deal.
“So I mean, there’s pretty decent precedent that the deal wasn’t outrageous that they were proposing,” Rose said.
“But at the same time, I would like to see Jon pay his fines, for sure, and be a part of the Ryder Cup. For me, obviously playing on LIV was a decision that he made and wanted to make, and fair play to him for making it and good for him. He’s playing good golf out there. He’s winning. He’s making a lot of money, and he’s — you know, you can’t argue, can’t knock what he’s been able to achieve out there.
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“So I would just see it as a cost of doing business for Jon. Like for me, being in the Ryder Cup is more than about money.”
But, Rose said, Rahm “may have a point” in his frustration over playing six events.
“So maybe there’s some middle ground,” Rose said, “where he’d do his best to support the Tour as and when, but not necessarily have that hung over his head, but paying his fines is obviously step No. 1.”
Rose’s comments also follow those of Rory McIlroy, another European Ryder Cup team member, who said last week that the DP World Tour deal was “generous” and that ”the European Tour can only do so much to accommodate these guys.”
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Whether Rahm’s status will be resolved remains unclear. Last week, he won a LIV Golf tournament, and this week, he’s playing in one in Singapore, where he was asked how he has succeeded “with all of the distractions,” and, as part of his response, he said this:
“I think, like anybody else in their job, you just need to learn how to compartmentalize. Kind of put things in the back of your mind and take care of what you can take care of. There’s some things that I can’t control. If I can’t control them, I really shouldn’t be worrying about it. What I can control is what I do on the golf course, my routines, how I prep, how committed I am to every step of the way.
“In essence, it’s kind of like a freeing feeling that I get when there’s a lot going on off the course that you get on the course and the only thing that matters is that so you can let things go. …
“All the other stuff, it’s what it is. I don’t know how to say this except truly, without sounding rude, it’s first-world problems. It’s what it is. There’s real problems in the world, and whether I have an agreement or disagreement with the DP World Tour, it shouldn’t be one of them.
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“While we continue to discuss what the future might be, it’s not something to overly worry about when there’s real tragedy happening worldwide.”
Cincinnati Bearcats forward Baba Miller (18) drives the ball in the first half of the Phillips 66 Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tournament between the Cincinnati Bearcats and Utah Utes, Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, MO.
Jalen Celestine scored 19 points and Baba Miller added 11 points, 14 rebounds and six assists as ninth-seeded Cincinnati beat hapless, 16th-seeded Utah 73-66 on Tuesday afternoon in a Big 12 Conference tournament first-round game in Kansas City, Mo.
The Bearcats advance to face eighth-seeded UCF in the second round on Wednesday afternoon. The teams finished tied for eighth place after the Big 12’s regular-season gauntlet, with the Knights earning a first-round bye by holding a tiebreaker over Cincinnati.
Cincinnati (18-14) is still fighting for a spot in the NCAA Tournament and took a step toward that goal, with Tuesday’s win its seventh in its last nine games. The Bearcats will have a chance to bolster their resume when playing UCF, with whom they split their season series.
Cincinnati weathered a ragged first 14½ minutes before using a 15-2 run to take a nine-point lead at halftime. The Bearcats quickly expanded their advantage to 48-33 when Baba Miller hit a jumper and then a layup, the latter with 12:58 to play.
Utah fought back, closing to within 63-58 on Brown’s jumper with 4:35 remaining but never got closer than four points the rest of the way.
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Moustapha Thiam scored 14 points and 10 rebounds for Cincinnati.
The Utes’ Terrence Brown led all scorers with 22 points. Keanu Dawes added 15 points and 12 rebounds and Seydou Traore hit for 12 points as Utah (10-22) finished its season with six straight losses. The Utes’ 10 wins are their fewest in a campaign since their 6-25 mark in 2011-12.
The Bearcats stumbled early on in Tuesday’s game against conference doormat Utah, falling behind 15-6 after free throws by the Utes’ Don McHenry with 11:41 left in the first half. Cincinnati made just two of its first 10 shots over the game’s first 8 1/2 minutes.
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Cincinnati culled its deficit to a point over the ensuing six minutes, with a 3-pointer by Shon Abaev making it 18-17 with 5:23 left in the half. After layup by Utah’s Kendyl Sanders pushed the margin back to three points, the Bearcats found their stride in a big way, closing the half with a 12-0 run capped by a jumper by Thiam with 23 seconds left to surge to the front and carry a 29-20 lead to the break.
Celestine’s eight points led all scorers before halftime while Brown tallied seven points to pace the Utes. Utah shot just 19.4% from the floor in the first half and went the final 3:30 without a point while missing its final five shots.
India pacer Arshdeep Singh has been fined 15 per cent of his match fee for throwing the ball “aggressively and inappropriately” at Daryl Mitchell during the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Ahmedabad.In addition, one demerit point has been added to Arshdeep’s disciplinary record. It is his first offence within a 24-month period.
Sanju Samson opens up on T20 World Cup journey, and title win
Arshdeep was found to have breached Article 2.9 of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “throwing a ball (or any other item of cricket equipment) at or near a player in an inappropriate and/or dangerous manner during an International Match,” an ICC media release said on Tuesday.The incident occurred in the 11th over of New Zealand national cricket team’s innings when Arshdeep fielded the ball on his follow-through and hurled it back aggressively, striking the pads of the Black Caps vice-captain on Sunday.India defeated New Zealand national cricket team by 96 runs to become the first team to win three ICC Men’s T20 World Cup titles. The India national cricket team also became the first side to successfully defend the title and win the tournament on home soil.Arshdeep accepted the sanction proposed by Andy Pycroft of the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, eliminating the need for a formal hearing.The charge was levelled by on-field umpires Richard Illingworth and Alex Wharf, third umpire Allahuddien Paleker, and fourth umpire Adrian Holdstock.Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and a maximum fine of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee, along with one or two demerit points.
The offence related to Article 2.9 of the ICC Code of Conduct
The incident occurred in the 11th over of New Zealand innings
Arshdeep fielded the ball on his follow-through and threw it back aggressively at Daryl Mitchell
One demerit point was added to Arshdeep’s disciplinary record
This was Arshdeep’s first offence in a 24-month period
Arshdeep accepted the sanction proposed by match referee Andy Pycroft
What the rule says (ICC Code of Conduct)
Article 2.9 of the ICC Code of Conduct relates to throwing a ball or any cricket equipment at or near a player in an inappropriate or dangerous manner during an international match
The rule applies to players and player support personnel involved in international cricket.
Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand.
The maximum penalty for a Level 1 offence is 50% of a player’s match fee.
The offence can also result in one or two demerit points being added to a player’s disciplinary record.
Demerit points remain on a player’s record for 24 months from the date they are imposed
If a player accumulates four or more demerit points within 24 months, they are converted into suspension points, which can lead to a match ban
The winter sun shone brightly, albeit briefly, for the start of the Cheltenham Festival, the highlight of the jump racing season.
More than 57,000 racegoers – from binocular-armed racing enthusiasts to city hipsters – congregated in this corner of the Cotswolds, sending opening day attendance up 3 per cent from last year.
The excitement of the smiling crowds entering Prestbury Park, many arriving after a testing six-hour journey from Ireland, was palpable, and as the first race set off – met, of course, by the rousing Cheltenham roar – there was consensus on the terraces that the festival was back to its best.
After the controversy of 2020, when huge crowds were blamed for spreading Covid, followed by price rises and squeezed-in crowds on Gold Cup day, there was a sense among some that the festival had lost its way.
But changes this year, including a 66,000 cap on attendance and a redesign in outdoor drinking areas, were warmly welcomed. Clouds above threatened but never released an expected downpour on proceedings.
A packed Grandstand watches the first race – the Supreme Novice Hurdles – at the Cheltenham Festival (Action Images/Reuters)
“Those lads going to Benidorm [people watching Cheltenham on television],” said Craig Jones. “Don’t tell them, but we’ve got our Cheltenham back.”
The 41-year-old quantity surveyor was standing inside the Guinness Village, where pints of the “black stuff”, along with beers and cider, were reduced this year by 30p to match 2022 prices.
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Prosecco was also served for the first time, as an alternative to the £32 glasses of champagne on offer.
Also new this year, a huge tented area called “The Retreat” with a DJ, self-service bars and food outlets. Drinking restrictions were relaxed in the Club Enclosure, meaning punters didn’t have to rush pints to move in and out of the trackside area.
Mr Jones, who “voted with his feet” when he stopped coming to Cheltenham after 2023, said: “I didn’t like paying so much to get in when it was so busy. You’d be queuing for ages to get a drink, and when you had one you’d have to be careful not to get knocked over.
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Cliff Henry and friend Craig Jones, right, who said the festival was back to its best (The Independent)
“It’s better now. There’s space, no queues, and just a really good atmosphere so far with a good dynamic of racing fans and people here for the day out.”
Tom Robinson, who arrived for the opening day with 20 others from Melksham in Wiltshire, agreed.
“It feels good this year,” the 38-year-old said. “We accept the money situation; it’s a highlight in the calendar and you save up money all year for it, so for me it’s a bit irrelevant – but the numbers this year are good. I’ve been here when it’s been way too busy, and it can take away from the experience, but it’s just right today.”
His brother Miles Robinson, 35, added: “The relaxation of restrictions on drinks make the festival more accessible, and there’s no rushing your drink and getting drunk just to get outside and watch a race.”
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Brothers Miles and Tom Robinson came for the first day from Melksham in Wiltshire (The Independent)
There was one queue inside the festival at lunchtime. It was for the burger outlet on the edge of the Guinness Village, where a Cheltenham Blue cost £13.95. Richard Price, 78, from Taunton, who went for a £11.45 burger, said: “I’ve been coming since 1981, and although much has changed, I remember it being so quiet and driving in with no traffic, the event is still a great experience for everyone.”
Behind the Guinness Village, where a band singer asked the crowd “are you drunk yet” at 1.45pm, a more relaxed atmosphere was contained within the Orchard area, where there were boutique shops, spa treatments and upmarket drinks on offer.
One of the new additions was English sparkling wine producer Chapel Down. The Kent-based vineyard has seen demand double in a decade, and with a presence at Ascot and Newbury races, Susie Goldsmith, head of PR, said Cheltenham was a “natural step” in the company’s offering within the sporting calendar.
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From left: Mark Unsted, Bradley Larimore and Shaun Hogg (The Independent)
Among those inside the tented bar was Bradley Larimore, managing director of Derby-based PMB Pallets, who bought a three litre bottle of Brut, priced at £290, for his business clients.
“I love coming here every year,” he said. “It’s a great occasion to network with businessmen and women, while also enjoying the atmosphere of the day. The money side of it doesn’t bother me, it’s all worth it.”
The official attendance for the opening day was 57,242, up from 55,498 last year, providing bosses with a boost on a week they expect around 250,000.
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Among the youngest at the festival was six-month-old Logan, whose parents James Purchase and Abbie Watson watched a race from the outdoor screens within the venue. They praised its child-friendly facilities, including a spacious changing area and parking close to the entrance.
“Cheltenham is Cheltenham,” said Mr Purchase, 38. “It’s the event of the year for racing enthusiasts, but really it’s a place for everyone to come to enjoy.”
There was one downside to the opening day, with horse Hansard suffering a fatal injury during the Singer Arkle Trophy Novices’ Chase – however, it failed to spoil an enjoyable day for most.
