Key Moments:
- Flutter Entertainment and the British Horse Racing Authority are jointly organizing the Future of Racing Summit at York Racecourse on February 12, 2026.
- Tech startups are invited to apply for a chance to pitch solutions to a panel that includes industry experts from both organizations and other stakeholders.
- The initiative was launched amid ongoing declines in racecourse attendance, with 2024’s total attendance at 4.79 million.
Industry Leaders Join Forces for Transformative Event
Flutter Entertainment, the group behind Paddy Power and Sky Bet, has partnered with the British Horse Racing Authority to launch the Future of Racing Summit. It will take place on February 12, 2026, at York Racecourse. Moreover, the event aims to foster collaboration and inspire new ideas to reignite public interest in British horseracing. The summit will follow a “Dragon’s Den”-style format. Its purpose is to uncover fresh strategies that can, in turn, attract younger fans to the sport.
Focus on Startup Innovation and Fresh Perspectives
Ahead of the summit, the organizers have opened applications for startups to participate in a specialized scouting program. Shortlisted companies will get the chance to present innovative technologies to a panel of experts from Flutter, the BHA, and other racing and welfare organizations. Furthermore, the session will highlight how these ideas could bring real-world change to the sport. Finalists will have their concepts scrutinized, with an emphasis on practical application and impact on the sport’s future.
Summit Agenda Driven by Project Beacon Insights
The event agenda has been influenced by feedback from over 7,500 racegoers involved in Project Beacon. Key areas of focus include advancing horse welfare, making the sport more accessible and understandable for new fans, enhancing the entertainment value of race meetings, and offering audiences immersive behind-the-scenes experiences. The summit audience will feature stakeholders and representatives from various sectors of the sport, with a notable presence of venture capitalists. Interested parties can register through Alpha Hub’s ‘Future of Racing’ website.
| Year | Total Attendance | Average Attendance per Fixture |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | < 5 million | Not specified |
| 2023 | Not specified | 3,404 |
| 2024 | 4.79 million | Not specified |
Addressing Declining Racecourse Attendance
The summit comes as both the racing and sportsbook industries are addressing concerns surrounding decreased attendance at British racecourses. Since 2022, overall annual attendees have remained below 5 million, and while a reduction in scheduled events brought a slight lift in average attendance to 3,404, total numbers in 2024 still reached only 4.79 million. While creative initiatives such as hosting concerts and launching projects like the Racing League have been introduced, meaningful growth in engagement has so far proved challenging.
Statements from Key Stakeholders
Brant Dunshea, acting CEO of the BHA, said: “There are so many great ideas out there and the aim of the Future of Racing summit is to ensure that racing has the opportunity to hear them and, where appropriate, tap into what they could bring to the sport.
“I’d encourage everyone in the sport to engage with this process and come to York in February with an open mind, for what I’m sure will be an exciting and intriguing event.
We’re looking for bold ideas that can engage younger audiences and ensure the sport’s fan base remains strong for the generations to come. We’re eager to hear from as many startups as we can and very much hope as many as possible take up the chance to apply and make their mark on our sport.”
Sebastian Butterworth, racing strategy director at Flutter UKI, said: “Flutter embodies the energy of startups — innovative, fast-growing businesses driven by entrepreneurs to create scalable products and services that disrupt markets.
“Just a few months ago we launched Timeform’s simplified QuickCard for newcomers to horseracing at York Racecourse, so we’re really proud to partner with the BHA and return for this potentially pivotal Future of Racing Summit in February. Project Beacon puts the customer at the heart of racing, and it’s vital that we come together to seek out solutions that directly address their concerns.”
- Author
Daniel Williams
