Friday Night Live series launches with focus on engaging new audiences

A new evening racing initiative, Friday Night Live, is set to launch this week, with the opening fixture due to take place at Wolverhampton Racecourse.

The series has been developed by Arena Racing Company in partnership with ITV Racing and events and media company Invades and will run across five Friday night fixtures between January and March. The initiative has been designed to appeal to younger audiences by combining competitive racing with a broader social experience, including live entertainment and activity between races.

The opening fixture has attracted more than 200 entries across a seven-race card, reflecting strong early support for the new format from across the sport.

Friday Night Live forms part of a wider effort to explore how racing can be presented in ways that feel accessible to new audiences. The series places an emphasis on creating welcoming environments for first-time racegoers, while maintaining racing as the central focus of the evening.

Fixtures will take place at Wolverhampton, Newcastle and Southwell, with live broadcast coverage on ITV Racing. The series aims to showcase racecourses as spaces that can bring sport, entertainment and community together.

Friday Night Live Series dates:
January 9 Wolverhampton
February 6 Newcastle
February 20 Southwell
March 20 Wolverhampton
March 27 Newcastle

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