Arena Racing Company (ARC) is expanding the use of its racecourse venues for large-scale entertainment with the launch of Neverland, a spectacular new drone show being staged in partnership with Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity (GOSH Charity).
Taking place at Royal Windsor Racecourse on 3 October, the event will transform the racecourse into a family-focused entertainment venue, featuring a 600-drone display, immersive soundtrack and a wider programme of entertainment.
Royal Windsor Racecourse to Host 600-Drone Spectacle
Neverland is designed to offer audiences an evening of large-scale outdoor entertainment, with the 600-drone display forming the centrepiece of the experience. The event highlights how racecourse venues can be adapted for entertainment beyond traditional horse racing and racedays.
The combination of drone technology, music and family entertainment is expected to create an immersive experience for visitors at Royal Windsor Racecourse.
ARC has increasingly been developing its racecourses as flexible venues capable of hosting a diverse range of events throughout the year. Neverland forms part of this wider programme of outdoor experiences being introduced across the group’s portfolio.
Neverland Event Supports Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity
The Royal Windsor Racecourse event will also raise funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity, with £1 from every ticket sold being donated to support seriously ill children from across the UK.
The partnership has a special connection to the story of Peter Pan. In 1929, author J.M. Barrie gifted the rights to Peter Pan to Great Ormond Street Hospital, which continues to receive royalties from public performances of the play.
The connection between Peter Pan and GOSH Charity provides an important backdrop to Neverland, bringing together family entertainment and fundraising for children receiving specialist medical care.
ARC Team Visits Great Ormond Street Hospital
Ahead of the Neverland event, members of the ARC team visited Great Ormond Street Hospital to meet patients and families and gain a better understanding of how funds raised through the event will support the charity.
The visit included costumes, games and giveaways, giving the ARC team an opportunity to bring some entertainment to children at the hospital. It also enabled the team to connect directly with the cause behind the fundraising initiative.
Julie Coates Walker, Group Head of Sales at ARC, highlighted the importance of the hospital visit and the wider partnership.
“There is a huge amount of work that goes into creating an event like Neverland, but our visit to GOSH was a lovely reminder of why it’s so important to support this cause,” she said.
She added that ARC’s teams are passionate about creating memorable experiences and that bringing some of that energy directly to children and families at the hospital was particularly meaningful.
Funds to Support Seriously Ill Children
Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity supports seriously ill children who are treated at Great Ormond Street Hospital. Its work is focused on helping children receive specialist care while also supporting their families and childhood experiences during treatment.
Funds generated through Neverland will contribute towards some of the charity’s priority areas. These include state-of-the-art medical equipment, essential support services for children and families, pioneering research and child-focused medical facilities.
The fundraising element gives the event an additional purpose beyond entertainment, allowing visitors to contribute to the work of GOSH Charity while attending the Neverland experience.
Racecourses Expanding Beyond Traditional Events
The launch of Neverland reflects ARC’s broader strategy of developing its racecourses as versatile destinations for events and experiences beyond horse racing.
Outdoor entertainment, family events and large-scale productions can provide racecourses with opportunities to welcome visitors throughout the year. Their expansive spaces and existing event infrastructure make them suitable for a wide range of activities.
Royal Windsor Racecourse will provide the setting for Neverland, demonstrating how a traditional racing venue can be transformed for an evening centred around technology, entertainment and family experiences.
Neverland Brings Entertainment and Charity Together
With its 600-drone show, immersive soundtrack and wider entertainment programme, Neverland represents a new type of event for Royal Windsor Racecourse.
At the same time, the partnership with Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity ensures that the event has a strong charitable purpose. Every ticket sold will contribute £1 to the charity, helping support its work with seriously ill children and their families.
As ARC continues to explore new uses for its racecourses, events such as Neverland demonstrate the potential of these venues to become destinations for entertainment, community engagement and charitable initiatives alongside their established racing calendars.
The Neverland drone show at Royal Windsor Racecourse on 3 October will therefore combine large-scale family entertainment with fundraising, creating an event that brings together technology, live experiences and support for children and families.
