Outdoor events & festival-style corporate experiences in hot demand

Royal Windsor Racecourse, part of YourVenue – the dedicated meetings and events division of Arena Racing Company (ARC) – has reported a significant year-on-year increase in outdoor event activity, fuelled by rising demand for experiential, festival-style corporate formats among event planners and public event promoters.

25% jump in outdoor events in 2025

In 2025, the racecourse delivered 30% more outdoor events compared with the previous year and annual revenues have increased overall by 190%, which includes in-house public experiences including Windsor Oktoberfest and Windsor Drones.

The team also reports a marked increase in outdoor event enquiries across both B2B and public sectors.

Outdoor corporate events and hospitality are changing

The biggest shift has been in the type of events that are choosing Windsor. Music-led and promoter-driven formats are now sitting alongside corporate hospitality. Organisers are increasingly drawn to Windsor’s 165 acre countryside setting, located on an island surrounded by the River Thames. The venue even has a private river-boat access via its own jetty. You will also benefit form free onsite parking, and its proximity to Windsor town centre and Heathrow Airport.

Julie Coates-Walker, Group Head of Sales for ARC, said: “Outdoor events are becoming a central part of the corporate and public event landscape. Planners want high-energy, immersive experiences, and Windsor – and the wider YourVenue portfolio – is perfectly placed to deliver them.”

2026 continues to see strong demand for outdoor events and festival style corporate experiences

“Looking ahead to 2026, we expect the upward trend in outdoor experiences to continue, driven by companies seeking culture-led social events, agencies designing multi-sensory and informal environments, promoters looking for mid-sized festival sites, and brands aiming to build community-led experiences for staff and customers.”

PA Life is delighted to have Arena Racing Company join us on our stand at The PA Show Spring 2026. We also welcome another four Venues of Excellence member venues to the stand D5P on 25 – 26 February, at Excel London.

If you haven’t registered for your Show pass yet, do take advantage of 10% off as a PA Life reader by booking with code PALIFESPRING26