NYRA Leaps Forward with VenueNext as Technology Partner to Connect Venue Systems and Better Appeal to Horse Racing Fans

by Louise Callagy; Pat McKenna

VenueNext extends its Reach in Sports & Entertainment to an Audience of 1.75 million

The New York Racing Association (NYRA) announced today an agreement with VenueNext to implement its connected venue technology platform, starting with an initial rollout in spring 2017 at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York, followed by implementation at the historic Saratoga Race Course in the summer of 2017.

NYRA will use VenueNext's technology platform to enhance guest experiences and improve business outcomes.

NYRA's upcoming all-new mobile experience will provide guests with convenience and control over how they experience many of the racetrack's services. The app will add to the level of activities and excitement between races for fans with seamlessly surfaced venue services like mobile tickets, betting, ordering food, drinks & merchandise for select in-seat delivery or express pick-up; viewing horse and jockey profiles, accessing behind-the-scenes video content, and wayfinding. VenueNext's real-time data dashboards will help the racetracks make data-driven operational decisions during events. VenueNext will also integrate with the NYRA Bets, betting app, NYRA HD video app and create a seamless loyalty experience across all NYRA touch points.

In 2015, more than 1.75 million people attended live races at NYRA tracks. In the Spring of 2016, NYRA significantly expanded its reach through the launch of a new, live television show broadcast nationally on Fox Sports 2 and the Altitude Sports and regionally on MSG+. Currently, 'Saratoga Live' is broadcast every day of live racing from 4:00-6:30 p.m. and, through these national and regional partnerships, reaches an audience of more than 65 million homes. Additionally, NBC provides their award winning coverage of NYRA races throughout the year.

On August 8, NYRA announced the successful national launch of its new national advance deposit wagering platform (ADW) featuring the most advanced technology available today within a high quality wagering interface. The new platform is known as NYRA Bets and is available in more than 20 states across the country.

"VenueNext has a proven track record for delivering innovative fan experiences to sporting venues across the country and we're proud to partner with them," said NYRA President & CEO Chris Kay. "This partnership is yet another step in our efforts to continuously improve the guest experience through the use of technology. By leveraging VenueNext at Belmont and Saratoga Race Tracks, integrating our new NYRA Bets wagering platform and our new HD Video mobile app, NYRA will create a new standard for the horseracing industry and provide the New York fan base that is so passionate about Belmont and Saratoga the very best experiences possible."

John Paul, CEO and founder at VenueNext, said: "We're excited to bring our platform to such a historically significant organization and racetracks. We want to innovate together to become the standard horse racing venue experience of the future."

VenueNext has continued to bolster its reputation in the sports & entertainment space, having already forged a strong lead with deployments at venues including Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, Yankee Stadium in New York City, the Orlando Magic's Amway Center, the Minnesota Vikings' new U.S. Bank Stadium and Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby. The platform was also successfully deployed at Super Bowl 50 earlier this year at Levi's Stadium, home of the San Francisco 49ers.