• New partners in Virginia, Pennsylvania and Maryland
• Digital transformation in American equestrian events
• US Racing Joins Online Revolution

Future Ticketing is delighted to announce partnerships with three venues in US horseracing. Future Ticketing is a horseracing sector leader across Ireland and Britain and the addition of the Willowdale Steeplechase Races, the Maryland Hunt Cup and Blue Ridge Hunt strengthens the digital ticketing provider’s position in the vibrant American racetrack market.

Each track was previously over-burdened with administration but the partnership with Future Ticketing has revolutionised the ticketing process by enabling racecourses to reserve finishing post parking spaces when booking tickets, manage complex ticketing with ease and facilitate ticket sharing through the digital ticketing app. The Blue Ridge Point-to-Point Races took place on Saturday, March 30 at Woodley Farm, Berryville, Virginia and for the first time, there were two National Steeplechase Association (NSA) sanctioned races.

Blue Ridge Hunt Joint Master Jeffrey LeHew said this year’s was one of the best ever and he was delighted to partner with Future Ticketing.

“The Blue Ridge Point to Point in 2024 was one of the best ever, the horses came, the people came, and the weather came!  My team is very happy that we chose Future Ticketing this year to help with ticket/parking sales, at the beginning we were nervous to change from our existing provider as this was what we were used to in the past,” said LeHew.

“The internet site the Future Ticketing guys designed for us worked great, was simple for us and our customers to use, and was easy to tweak when we wanted to make adjustments. The other thing we like about Future Ticketing that we have not been used to in the past is the email capture/record that we will use next year for marketing. I am very glad I met Peter and Future Ticketing.”

The 2024 Maryland Hunt Cup took place on Saturday, April 27 at the racecourse in Reisterstown where picnicking and tailgating are well-established traditions.

It was the 127^th running of the prestigious race and this year digital parking passes were sold for the first time. The Willowdale Steeplechase event at Chester County, Pennsylvania features six NSA-sanctioned races and the day is a celebration of the rich equestrian heritage of the region. Saturday, May 11 sees the 31st anniversary running of the Willowdale Steeplechase and tailgating is a special attraction, with spots at four different sections provided.

Andrea Collins, Race Director, Willowdale Steeplechase, said: “Partnering with Future Ticketing has eased the ticket purchase journey for our customers and that has always been a key goal for us.

“We were impressed with the graphic user interface and have found the dashboard easy to use.  An important consideration for us too was the fact the Future Ticketing system is cloud-based, which is of course a major advance on having a PC-based operation. Along with that, we have super support from Future Ticketing and crucially, the merchant charges are reasonable.  So all in all, we look forward to working with Future Ticketing into the future.”

Peter McNeile, International Sales Director, Future Ticketing, said he is proud to be working with all three new partners.

“In Future Ticketing we are privileged to have been selected by Willowdale, the Maryland Hunt and Blue Ridge Hunt as their ticketing partners.  We see it as a vote of confidence in us and a recognition of the track record we have already built up in US racing across a number of other partners,” said McNeile.

“The flexibility and agility of our cutting-edge software enables us to tailor our offering to the specific needs of each partner so we can offer the most modern ticketing solutions available, while at the same time honouring the fine traditions which our partners are preserving.”

Future Ticketing sees its growing presence in the US racing market as a natural progression from its position as the number one digital ticketing operator for horse racing in the UK and Ireland.

Future Ticketing entered into a multi-year partnership with the Jockey Club in 2023 ensuring its software and API ticketing infrastructure is used across 14 UK racecourses, including three of racing’s most iconic venues, Cheltenham, Aintree and Epsom Downs. Up to two million people attend Jockey Club events across 332 race days each year and over 220,000 attended the four-day Cheltenham festival in March and the Aintree Grand National on April 13 attracted nearly 60,000.  Future Ticketing has long-term partnerships with many other racecourses in the UK and Ireland and last year renewed its relationship with one of England’s oldest, Beverley in Yorkshire. With other partners in the Middle East and Australia, Future Ticketing caters for annual attendances of about 10 million at racecourses across the globe.

Pontefract Racecourse is thrilled to announce that all race meetings at the West Yorkshire track in 2024 will be Autism Friendly racedays, making it the first Racecourse in the country to host Autism in Racing Racedays on every day.

Hosting it’s first Autism in Racing racedays in 2023, Pontefract has made huge steps in improving all aspects of accessibility at the Racecourse and recently carried out a major scheme to upgrade the accessible facilities throughout the site. Their ‘Racing for Everyone’ race meeting in June 2023 won the coveted ‘Raceday Award’ at the Racecourse Association Showcase Event in November. Richard Hammill, Chief Operating Officer said

“Raising awareness of Autism and playing our part in enabling the Racing Industry to be more inclusive is hugely important to us all at Pontefract. The Racecourse has a long association of working with customers and racegoers who have additional needs, as well as with Autism in Racing and to be able to put something in place to make the Racecourse even more inclusive throughout the season is incredible.

The Racecourse will be working in conjunction with their ticketing provider, Future Ticketing, who will provide valuable funding to enable the initiative to take place every day.

Ann Marie Guinan, Chief Marketing Officer of Future Ticketing, was excited that Future Ticketing could be part of the venture:

“Future Ticketing are extremely proud to work with Pontefract Races on this project. Racing is an inclusive and accessible sport and we are delighted that we can enable further attendance and an Autism friendly experience to racegoers at Ponte.”

Bobby Beevers, Chair and Founder of Autism in Racing is delighted to get more Autism Friendly race days in the calendar and commented:

“I think it’s absolutely amazing that Pontefract are making all their fixtures Autism-Friendly. Huge well done to Richard, Norman and the team for making it happen. Autism in Racing and Pontefract Racecourse have built a strong relationship and I’m really looking forward to working with the track for the season ahead.”

As part of their Autism Friendly racedays, the Racecourse and Future Ticketing will provide designated quiet and safe spaces for autistic Racegoers, or those who may have additional needs, including complimentary soft drinks and biscuits. In addition, there will be a dedicated sensory room, provided by Immersive, at every race meeting.
William Buick, champion jockey and Ambassador for Autism in Racing said:

“I congratulate Pontefract for their commitment to Autism Friendly racedays. My family has first hand experience of autism and as an Ambassador for Autism in Racing I welcome the way racecourses are embracing the concept.”

Any racegoers wishing to apply for places at any Autism in Racing fixture should contact Autism in Racing on X at https://twitter.com/autisminracing (@autisminracing).

For more information on Pontefract Racecourse, please visit www.pontefract-races.co.uk
To discover services offered by Future Ticketing, please visit https://www.futureticketing.com/
A brand new Autism in Racing website will be developed over the coming months. In the meantime,
to learn more about Autism in Racing please visit https://twitter.com/autisminracing

Future Ticketing has announced partnerships with SSE Airtricity First Division clubs Athlone Town and Cobh Ramblers.

Future Ticketing is the leading digital ticketing provider for football clubs in Ireland and it said it is privileged to have an illustrious name like Athlone Town AFC joining its expanding portfolio. Equally, the company said it is delighted to be part of Cobh Ramblers’ ambitious plans for the 2024 season and beyond.

Commenting on the partnership with Athlone Town, Future Ticketing CEO Liam Holton said he is looking forward to Athlone Town AFC and its supporters reaping the benefits of the new system.

Mr Holton said the efficiency of online and offline ticket sales will smooth the ticketing purchase path for fans and greatly ease match day management of attendances at the Athlone Town Stadium.

The Future Ticketing CEO said he is especially pleased the partnership announcement coincided with the Athlone Town AFC women’s team winning the FAI Cup for the first time.

Mr Holton said: “At Future Ticketing we pride ourselves on being at the cutting edge of ticketing software technology, so we are very excited to partner with Athlone, a club which has just demonstrated the breadth of its ambition with this women’s FAI Cup victory.”

Mr Holton added: “As a company based in the midlands, we are well aware of Athlone Town’s heritage and exceptional progress in the last year. We are delighted to welcome Athlone ahead of the new season, mindful that 2024 will be the centenary of the club winning the FAI Cup and 2025 will be the 50th anniversary of the memorable draw with AC Milan in the UEFA Cup.”

David Dully, Secretary of Athlone Town AFC said: “We have seen the benefits that Future Ticketing have brought to other clubs in the league and partnering with them is another step in the plan to bring the club back to the top table of Irish football. They have been critical to the growth of attendance in the League of Ireland in recent years, we are an ambitious club and partnering with Future Ticketing is another step on our journey.”

Greg Walker, Future Ticketing Client Success Manager, spoke about how proud the company is to be teaming up with Cobh.

Mr Walker noted that Cobh’s run in the 2023 season to the First Division play-offs was applauded by supporters and reflected in an 18% growth in attendances.

“Here at Future Ticketing we have a track record of helping clubs and their fans make a smooth transition to online ticketing and we are looking forward to working with everyone at St Colman’s Park as the new season approaches,” said Mr Walker.

“In particular, we are delighted that our Digital Ticketing App, which means fans can comfortably book their match day seats with just a couple of clicks, is now available to Cobh Ramblers.”

Furthermore, Future Ticketing is working with Cobh to ensure that supporters purchasing season tickets have the option of paying their subscription by instalments, a move which will be embraced by the club and fans alike.

By partnering with Future Ticketing, Cobh Ramblers has enhanced access to ticket revenues and that will further strengthen the first team’s renewed bid for elevation to the SSE Airtricity Premier Division.

Mr Walker added: “At Future Ticketing we feel privileged to be working with Cobh because teaming up with clubs like Ramblers is at the heart of what we do.  Cobh famously gave Roy Keane his start in league football and as the club approaches the 40th anniversary of its entry to the League of Ireland in 1985, we will play our part in ensuring its ongoing progression and development.”

Jim Farrell, Cobh Ramblers Committee said: “All of us at Cobh Ramblers are really delighted to partner with Future Ticketing as we begin our preparations for next season.  We have been impressed with the professionalism and expertise Future Ticketing have brought to the relationship and we are glad the company shares our vision for how we wish to progress our club.”

Future Ticketing’s bespoke Digital Ticketing App greatly eases ticket sharing and match day entry for fans and has been embraced with enthusiasm by clubs across Ireland and the UK.

The 2023 League of Ireland season has seen attendance records being broken yet again and Future Ticketing is pleased to have been at the heart of this progress.

The addition of Athlone Town and Cobh Ramblers to the Future Ticketing family follows on from a renewal of the company’s partnership with this year’s men’s FAI Cup winners, St Patrick’s Athletic.