Microsoft outage blocks sports tickets; Cheltenham urges early arrival

Digital ticket holders across the sporting world face potential entry issues as a widespread Microsoft service disruption remains unresolved. The outage, affecting Outlook and Teams since last night, has left users unable to access emails stored in Hotmail inboxes, which often contain purchased event passes.

Cheltenham Racecourse Response

Cheltenham Racecourse has advised attendees with digital tickets for its second biggest fixture outside of the Festival to arrive early today. A statement from the venue acknowledged the current issue with Microsoft platforms and urged those who have not yet downloaded their e-tickets to allow ample time for assistance from on-course staff.

The racecourse confirmed that tickets remain available for purchase at the gate for the opening day of the November meeting. This precaution aims to mitigate any access problems caused by the ongoing technical difficulties.

Broader Impact on Sports Fixtures

If the disruption extends into the weekend, it could affect ticketing for other major sports events, including matches in the Football League, Women's Super League, and Rugby fixtures. The reliance on email-based delivery for digital passes makes these sectors particularly vulnerable to communication platform failures.

Microsoft has ruled out a cyberattack as the cause of the outage. Despite this clarification, the technical fault continues to impact services globally, leaving thousands without email access.

British Horseracing Authority Statement

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) reported being impacted by the global Microsoft outage, noting that emails to and from the organization are currently not working. In light of this, the BHA stated it is working to ensure that racing continues without disruption.

Racing Admin systems are functioning as normal, according to the BHA. The authority is coordinating with racecourses and other stakeholders to maintain operational continuity during the service interruption. Urgent communications are recommended via phone due to the email failure.