Cost of tickets for XC day...!

[Bobthecob15]

Oh my goodness Ive just seen the prices for the XC day for Badminton, £43 in advance or £48 on the day....for effectively walking round a field?! I love it and we are going again this year but is it me or does that seem bonkers?! They have put the prices up from last year for all the days too and parking (£16 a day to park, was £14). Is Burghley as bad? I can't remember how much they charged last year?

 

[AdorableAlice]

Wow, wouldn't even entertain it. I do wonder if events of all types will see a slow down this year. The economic climate is affecting many.

 

[reynold]

I have gone to Blenheim for all 4 days up until it was taken over by the Jockey Club and you needed a 2nd mortgage to go.

If Blenheim returns and is reasonably priced I will go again but if this is the type of price that is being asked for Badminton I will once again just watch the Badminton highlights on BBC2 on the sunday.

I know that events need to cover costs and make a profit but Badminton is overcrowded in most years and to pay this to be treated like a cash cow, wade thru dog muck and have obstructed view of the fences due to overcrowding is ridiculous.

Especially since a lot of the staffing of the event is done by volunteers who get food and thanks but do not cost the event any money.

 

[Bobthecob15]

I have gone to Blenheim for all 4 days up until it was taken over by the Jockey Club and you needed a 2nd mortgage to go.

If Blenheim returns and is reasonably priced I will go again but if this is the type of price that is being asked for Badminton I will once again just watch the Badminton highlights on BBC2 on the sunday.

I know that events need to cover costs and make a profit but Badminton is overcrowded in most years and to pay this to be treated like a cash cow, wade thru dog muck and have obstructed view of the fences due to overcrowding is ridiculous.

Especially since a lot of the staffing of the event is done by volunteers who get food and thanks but do not cost the event any money.

Absolutely we went last year and the shops were horribly overcrowded and the big fences were impossible to see because of the crowds...I do feel they are taking the mickey a bit because the venue sold out last year and I doubt they will make a loss holding last years prices...

 

[ester]

Burghley was £42 on the gate last year
Car pass £16

 

[TheMule]

There aren’t many things you can do now for less than £50 for a whole day, I personally think it's a pretty decent day out with lots going on

 

[ihatework]

It’s a major sporting event. So no, I don’t think it’s too expensive.
A luxury day out for sure and unaffordable for many, but that’s not the same thing as being too expensive.

Unless I can get in for free, I much prefer xc day on the sofa watching the action on tv anyway ?

 

[Squeak]

If it was sold out last year and for the last few years have been heaving then they may as well raise the price. As others have said, for a full day out at a top sporting event it's an ok price, we're just used to it being lower and it just feels like yet another thing where the price is going up.

Also there seem to be a lot of people (me included) that are put off by the amount of people there and not being able to see anything so potentially if they do price some people out there are others who might return when it's quieter.

 

[sbloom]

We've been to Badminton and Burghley in recent years, all the issues listed are bad enough but we had the additional issue of a handsome Great Dane so we've never managed to get round more than half the XC course as we get stopped so often for cuddles (him, not us!) and even photos . It's not money I'd want to spend at the moment and I agree they're just too busy, fewer people and we might have made it round!

 

[Rowreach]

I decided a long time ago that most sporting events are far better viewed from the comfort of your own telly. Especially since even the smaller events are often livestreamed these days.

I loved going to Badminton in the days when it really was like walking round a big field, you could get right up to the fences, the only crowds were around the lake and mid afternoon in the shopping area. I don't actually think that c.£50 for an all day event is unreasonable, just that I wouldn't pay it for the sort of experience the XC day at a big event provides.

 

[Prancerpoos]

I do not think it is too expensive for a day out, but I won’t be going again as the last few times I have just found it too packed and I don’t think that will get any better.

 

[Tiddlypom]

I go for at least the first and sometimes also the second dressage day to walk the XC, see some dressage and the main ring displays and scout out the shopping. Then it's time to hotfoot it back up the motorway to home in time to watch the XC live from the sofa without being impeded by the manic crowds.

The tv coverage of the XC is much more 'real' if you have previously walked the course in person.

Burghley XC is altogether more civilised, in fact all of the Burghley event is more civilised than Badminton.

 

[ester]

I decided the last pre covid burghley that I’d rather do XC day at home even if I had tickets for the duration ?

when camping at badminton we’d mostly watch a screen or you’d miss too much

 

[Squeak]

I go for at least the first and sometimes also the second dressage day to walk the XC, see some dressage and the main ring displays and scout out the shopping. Then it's time to hotfoot it back up the motorway to home in time to watch the XC live from the sofa without being impeded by the manic crowds.

The tv coverage of the XC is much more 'real' if you have previously walked the course in person.

Burghley XC is altogether more civilised, in fact all of the Burghley event is more civilised than Badminton.

I went to Burghley XC last year and it was absolutely heaving, unfortunately not at all more civilised than Badminton, I hardly managed to see any of the fences let alone someone jumping one.

Will definitely be sticking to watching it on TV going forward.

 

[ROMANY 1959]

If they are streaming it again on Badminton tv I will be watching there

 

[Rowreach]

This is why I like going to Tattersalls

 

[Tiddlypom]

I went to Burghley XC last year and it was absolutely heaving, unfortunately not at all more civilised than Badminton, I hardly managed to see any of the fences let alone someone jumping one.

Will definitely be sticking to watching it on TV going forward.

We last went to Burghley in 2019. Had membership and did all 5 days.

Arrived early on XC day, staked out a really good viewing spot at the Trout Hatchery and stayed there all day. Got good close up views of all the horses and riders over multiple efforts.

 

[Bobthecob15]

If they are streaming it again on Badminton tv I will be watching there

I went last year AND subscribed to badminton TV so we could watch the XC online and see where the horses were so we could position ourselves at the fences, worked really well! I was one of the lucky ones with good phone signal!

 

[MuddyMonster]

There aren’t many things you can do now for less than £50 for a whole day, I personally think it's a pretty decent day out with lots going on

I was just about to say that.

 

[sakura]

I don't think it's too expensive, but it's too expensive for me. I haven't been in person since 2011, and I didn't watch last year but cringed at the falls I saw on social media - I don't think I have the heart for it anymore!

 

[Rusty Rider]

Looking at the list of events I want to go to this year, I think I’ll stick to Bramham and Chatsworth live as they’re nearer me and a bit cheaper whilst still offering plenty of action, and fork out for the Badminton TV pass - you definitely get to follow XC action a lot better on TV (and the French riders I support don’t tend to do as well there anyway ?)

 

[Abi90]

Oh my goodness Ive just seen the prices for the XC day for Badminton, £43 in advance or £48 on the day....for effectively walking round a field?! I love it and we are going again this year but is it me or does that seem bonkers?! They have put the prices up from last year for all the days too and parking (£16 a day to park, was £14). Is Burghley as bad? I can't remember how much they charged last year?

Burghley is as bad. I paid over £100 for 2 people and a car in September. I won’t be going again. I simply can’t afford to

 

[Jango]

Honestly I don't think it's that bad at all, I absolutely love going and it's a world class, full day event. Think of the costs of a formula one race or a football match...

 

[Merry neddy man]

I know its not quite as big but Bramham xc is £28 in advance £32 on the day and parking £5 advance £10 on the day. Loads of stalls parking close by very little queing in or out top class showjumping PC jumping and games good food you can see every fence and bid TV screen to view when eating. As a comparison the Great Yorkshire show is £32 with free parking and free bus shuttle service to the show 5 minutes ride away, Tickets only in advance no day admission. We've been saying we would go to Burghley but keep getting put of by the price.

 

[teapot]

For those saying it's a full day - that depends on the field/entries. Remember Burghley was only 55 odd going xc in 2022

Given how good the Badminton live stream was last year I doubt I'll be going, as it's not just the entry cost of c.£60 (ticket and parking), it's the tank of fuel, the extra food/drink and having to book somewhere to stay as it's just that bit too far for doing in one day. Let alone if you want to take family/friends/kids.

Regarding value for money I think it depends on what you compare it to? Twickenham is £90 to £200 for a 80 min rugby match. Some of the best value for money tickets in sport are actually Centre Court or No 1 tickets at Wimbledon up to and including quarter finals days - maximum of ten complete hours of sport and once in you don't notice the crowds, you stay dry, no one blocks your view, and the loos are some of the nicest you'll find in the sporting world.

 

[MuddyMonster]

I guess, like anything, it depends on your circumstances. From the SE (Sussex) it's quite do-able there & back in a day for me but if you're coming from further afield it would add the cost of a hotel to it.

It's £20 for 90 minutes to see the local football team play. If we didnt get free tickets it would cost my OH & I almost £90 each at early bird price each to go to a local car festival on a Saturday for the day (I wish we didn't get freebies but that's another story ?)

For less than £50, there's world class, top name riders and their horses at one of the biggest events of the year.

The gates open early enough to make a full day out and we've never been bored waiting for the XC to start. I've always taken breakfast, lunch and a flask to make some hot drinks with me too.

Whether thats do-able costs for everyone is completely individual (I didn't go for a year or two when I was saving every spare penny) but I still think the event represents value for money still in the grand scheme of things.

 

[FluffyIrishPony]

This is why I like going to Tattersalls

Except there is no Tattersalls international any more unfortunately ? Agree it was a fab event to attend back in the day!

 

[Crazy_cat_lady]

For those saying it's a full day - that depends on the field/entries. Remember Burghley was only 55 odd going xc in 2022

Given how good the Badminton live stream was last year I doubt I'll be going, as it's not just the entry cost of c.£60 (ticket and parking), it's the tank of fuel, the extra food/drink and having to book somewhere to stay as it's just that bit too far for doing in one day. Let alone if you want to take family/friends/kids.

Regarding value for money I think it depends on what you compare it to? Twickenham is £90 to £200 for a 80 min rugby match. Some of the best value for money tickets in sport are actually Centre Court or No 1 tickets at Wimbledon up to and including quarter finals days - maximum of ten complete hours of sport and once in you don't notice the crowds, you stay dry, no one blocks your view, and the loos are some of the nicest you'll find in the sporting world.

I agree, through my local branch of my football teams (huge PL team) supporters club I can get a ticket to a premium game (e.g. derby fixture, very well known rivalry) and there and back coach travel (not just a couple of hours trip) for around £100. Seats are usually very good, and in the past we've even had them in the official "end" for supporters of my club, something I thought we'd never get to sit on. You can also see the whole game, rather than "just" the action at the specific fence you're sat at at that moment in time

Yes it's a long day there and back in a day, but I'd far rather pay for something like that if I were to have a special day out. You do need to ration drinks if you have a weak bladder as the coach only stops once each way which is the only downside!

We usually go once a season but haven't this one only due to saving, fixtures not falling favourably for when I'm off work (you need the next day off to sleep) and being careful with money due to cost of living but it would probably cost more given fuel/potential need for a hotel/needing an organised coach if I were to do Badminton.

I did go to badminton a couple of times when younger as my mum's friend organised a coach

 

[Winters100]

I used to love going to Badminton as a child, but wow, if I was in the UK would not be going now. Even with child discounts I suppose a family of 5 would be 150 to 200 just for entry, and when you add travel / parking / incidental expenses it would really add up. Seems a shame that such events are now reserved for the very keen or very wealthy.

 

[humblepie]

It is the cost of two BD tests which last 10 minutes, so in the greater scale of comparing to costs of other things not huge but I wouldn't pay it but I wouldn't go on cross country day anyway mainly because I don't like huge crowds. I quite like going to such things on my own so the car parking charge annoys me - have been quite spoilt and generally had free passes when Mitsubishi was sponsoring thanks to a friend who worked for them and had no interest, so I would go on the quieter day. I am sure the big sporting events will hold up with attendance but do wonder about attendance at other events (not eventing, but events generally) with the financial climate.