Historic Racecourse Embraces Modern Ticketing Methods, Introducing NFC Technology and Digital Wallets
Chester Racecourse Adopts NFC Ticketing Technology for Enhanced Event Management
Chester Race Company, the owner of the world's oldest operational racecourse, has embraced a new era in sports and event management by adopting NFC-based ticketing technology provided by HID. This innovative solution offers significant benefits and features that streamline access, enhance security, and upgrade the user experience.
The new system, implemented at Chester Racecourse, offers guests the ease of smartphone-based tickets stored directly in Apple Wallet or Google Wallet, eliminating the need for physical tickets. On race day, guests receive reminders and convenient guidance (such as dress code, race programs, and directions) on their devices as they approach the venue, improving overall event engagement.
Fast, reliable access control is ensured through the purchase of 45 rugged Janam XT3 mobile computers for offline ticket validation during peak times. These devices scan tickets in under a second, significantly reducing wait times and congestion, even in poor lighting and areas with low mobile signal strength.
Infrastructure upgrades supporting the NFC solution, including Wi-Fi 7 access points, new routers, switches, and robust 10-gigabit Ethernet connections, ensure network reliability and capacity for high-demand events. A bespoke API integrates HID’s Entry Management Platform (EMP) with SeatGeek’s ticketing platform, allowing automatic and real-time updates of ticket purchases to the access control system.
The system provides Chester Racecourse with real-time visibility of guest attendance, enabling better crowd control and operational decision-making. It also helps prevent ticket fraud by eliminating barcode sharing or resale opportunities by touts. Moreover, the NFC-based ticketing system allows Chester Racecourse to track where people are in terms of enclosure and stands, and determine the exact number of people who have entered out of the tickets sold.
This implementation demonstrates how HID’s NFC ticketing technology delivers faster entry processes, reliable offline validation, strong security, improved guest communication, and seamless integration with existing systems, transforming the management of large-scale sporting events. Chester Race Company, with its 15-race season attracting over 200,000 guests annually, including the renowned Boodles May Festival, is well-positioned to leverage these benefits.
The adoption of this technology also supports Chester Racecourse's compliance with capacity obligations and forthcoming legislation such as Martyn's Law. Gareth Simpson, Head of Racecourse Operations at Chester Race Company, stated that delivering an excellent customer experience is critical, and this new system is a significant step towards achieving that goal. By streamlining admissions using smartphones, Chester Race Company aims to create modern, memorable experiences for guests.
[1] Chester Race Company press release, [date] [2] HID Global press release, [date] [3] SeatGeek press release, [date] [4] Janam Technologies press release, [date] [5] Guinness World Records, Chester Racecourse, [accessed date]
Utilizing technology in the field of finance, HID has partnered with Chester Racecourse to invest in a strategic decision: the implementation of NFC-based ticketing technology for sports events, which is expected to revolutionize the ticketing sector. This innovation promises faster entry processes, reliable offline validation, strong security, improved guest communication, and seamless integration with existing systems.
In addition to enhancing race management and crowd control, the NFC-based ticketing system will provide valuable data, such as real-time attendance figures, guest location within the premises, and more, enabling better operational decision-making and a modern, memorable experience for over 200,000 annual attendees.
