Photo:Â By Rept0n1x – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0
There are few more significant sporting events on the calendar in the United Kingdom than the three-day Aintree meeting centered around the Grand National. As one of the most iconic events on the schedule, it is attended by thousands annually that wouldn’t typically be interested in horse racing events.
The Grand National is the biggest day of the three-day meet. There are also incredibly popular days in the forms of Ladies’ Day and Opening Day.
Given the success of the meeting, Aintree has also been a popular choice for Liverpool Football Club fans throughout history, with the racetrack boasting one of the perfect hospitality experiences for fans looking for something slightly different on matchday.
Hospitality At Aintree
Liverpool FC and Aintree racecourse are two of the biggest institutions in the region, with many football fans typically looking for the best horse race bets for today in the build up to huge matches in the Premier League. Aintree is located within striking distance of the motorway, which makes it a perfect spot for fans travelling from a distance for a match at Anfield.
Visitors looking to take in the historic sites at Aintree before heading to Anfield will be delighted with an excellent hospitality opportunity available by the club. Visitors will be able to enjoy a three-course meal in the Sunlock Suite, which is located on the first floor of the Lord Sefton Grandstand.
While here, visitors can take in all the sites of the racecourse in the build up before the football, and there are excellent staff on hand to help with any questions that you may have. The son of Liverpool FC legend Kenny Dalglish was one of the attendees of the race that happened last weekend.
What’s Included?
The hospitality package involves a full-day for visitors, with the venue at Aintree opening four and a half hour before kick off at Anfield. All visitors involved in the hospitality package will get a complimentary matchday programme for the match that they are attending, as well as a free drink at Aintree on arrival.
The package will also ensure that all visitors attending the game will do so on a full stomach with a three-course set menu served at Aintree before heading to the match. All those that attend the hospitality service will get match tickets in the Anfield Road Stand for the fixture that they are attending, and there will be complimentary coach transfers for all visitors to and from the ground from Aintree.
Coaches will leave after the match within 45 minutes, and it is open to all guests that attend with an adult over the age of 18. The service can be purchased directly from Liverpool Football Club, and is a perfect opportunity for all those that are attending a match at Anfield for the first time.
Aintree History
Aintree Racecourse is one of the most historic venues for horse racing in the United Kingdom. It was opened for the first time in July 1829. It was the brainchild of William Lynn, who approached the Second Earl of Sefton about the prospect of leasing land to host flat racing action. It was an idea that was agreed to by Lord Sefton, who was an avid fan of horse racing action.
However, the success at Aintree was kickstarted in 1835 when the first hurdles races was staged at the racecourse. It was during this period that Lynn was told about the Great St. Albans Steeplechase, which was run over four miles, giving birth to the idea of the Grand National, which remains one of the most famous races in the world to this day.
Throughout history, Aintree has played host to a number of other huge events. That includes the British Grand Prix, which was staged at the racecourse on five occasions between 1955 and 1962. The racecourse also played host to the final leg of Michael Jackson’s European Tour in 1988, while other artists such as Pink and the Kaiser Chiefs have also played Aintree.
The Grand National
There are few more historic events on the Aintree schedule than the Grand National, which is staged annually in April. This race was staged for the first time in 1839, and it covers a total distance of four miles. The race is most famous for being the richest jumps race in Europe, with a purse of £1 million being up for grabs.
Traditionally, it has been the biggest test of a horse ability to jump fences, with some of the biggest obstacles in National Hunt being used in the Grand National. Nowadays, the race is watched by over 600 million people across the globe, with the National streamed live in over 140 nations. The most recent edition of the race was staged in 2024, which saw sweeping changes to the race format, with fewer runners involved to help enhance welfare concerns.
