Manufacturing and transport sectors are stepping into the Ascot spotlight, as businesses turn to luxury experiences to win deals and deepen relationships.

In the race for attention, loyalty, and growth, UK businesses are thinking differently about how they connect with clients and colleagues in 2025 – and Royal Ascot is fast becoming the go-to destination.

Forget the days of after-work socials at the mini golf bar opposite the office. Today’s companies are investing in premium, high-energy experiences that don’t just impress, they convert. And this year, a surprising shift is underway at one of Britain’s most iconic events.

According to new data from Engage, corporate hospitality bookings for Royal Ascot 2025 show a remarkable change in who’s showing up. Manufacturing firms have increased their presence by 166% year-on-year. At the same time, transportation services have entered the top sectors for the first time – no longer are the same industries booking hospitality at Royal Ascot, it’s companies in all sorts of traditional and non-traditional sectors that see the value in hospitality-led networking.

“It’s no longer just finance and law firms filling the boxes,” says Andrew Hodgkins, Managing Director at Engage. “We’re seeing a real spread of industries using Royal Ascot as both a reward and a strategic business development opportunity.

In fact, eight industries now make up more than 80% of Ascot’s hospitality bookings for 2025, with administrative and support services (19%), construction (13%), finance and insurance (11%), and wholesale and retail (11%) leading the charge. The growth is sharp, deliberate, and it’s making the event more dynamic than ever.

This year’s bookings aren’t just about status—they’re about results. And the data backs it up:

• Revenue from hospitality packages is up 29%, underscoring the growing appetite for experience-led business engagement.
• And across the UK, four in five companies say they will increase or maintain their corporate event budgets in 2025, citing staff wellbeing, customer loyalty, and deal-making as key motivators.

It’s a clear trend: the smartest businesses aren’t just entertaining, they’re building strategic touchpoints. And in 2025, Royal Ascot has become one of the most valuable touchpoints on the calendar.

With a record number of sectors now taking part, Royal Ascot 2025 is shaping up to be the most network-rich, cross-industry event of the year, where casual conversations can lead to contracts, and champagne to signatures.

ENGAGE are the sports and entertainment experts, specialising in the creation, delivery, and sourcing of high-quality hospitality, events, and travel experiences.