Attendance at Cheltenham Festival decreases due to costs

Thousands of Irish fans have traveled to the Cheltenham Festival, but attendance is down due to rising costs. Some attendees report spending around €1400 for flights and accommodation for two days of racing. Accommodation prices in Cheltenham have surged, with a report indicating a 650% increase compared to other times of the year. The festival's CEO noted that overall attendance is expected to exceed 200,000, down from nearly 230,000 last year. Many fans are adapting by finding cheaper travel options, such as flying to nearby airports and renting cars. Some are choosing to watch the races from pubs in Spain, while others maintain that attending the festival in person remains a valued experience.