New facility will feature state of the art kennels and veterinary facilities
The UK’s greyhound racing scene is often seen as one of the traditional sports struggling to compete in the modern era. However, the opening of Dunstall Park Greyhound Stadium in Wolverhampton could mark an important step forward for the sport.
Set to open in autumn 2025, Dunstall Park will be the country’s newest greyhound venue to open in a decade. It aims to inject fresh energy into greyhound racing across the country.
Trainer Kate Harrison, one of the professionals set to operate at the new track, says the modern facilities and strong investment could attract new fans and participants.
“It’s a really exciting time for our sport,” said Harrison. “The facilities from a trainer and racegoer point of view are second to none and there’s scope to attract new people to greyhound racing.
“I’ve already had people on the phone to me wanting to know if we have space to train greyhounds to run on their behalf at Dunstall Park. That’s really encouraging and the interest surrounding the track’s launch is building week by week.”
Developed by Arena Racing Company (ARC), the track is positioned to become a flagship venue for the sport’s future in the UK.
Among its features is a newly built kennel block with around 116 kennels, equipped with a 750,000-litre water attenuation tank and veterinary facility with treatment and x-ray rooms. The venue will host four weekly greyhound meetings alongside its established horse racing schedule.
Balancing tradition and innovation
While the investment shows there is still a solid support network for traditional sports like greyhound racing, significant work remains to make the sport more appealing to younger demographics and wider audiences.
Horse racing, often criticised for being stuck in its traditional shackles, faces a similar challenge. As a globally cherished sport steeped in history, horse racing enjoys a close relationship with betting, making it the second most wagered on sport in the UK.
However, despite this strong foundation, it risks being overshadowed by sports which have embraced digital transformation and innovation more aggressively.
“Tradition is both an asset and a challenge,” said Joshua Sparke, Managing Director of Podium, speaking to Insider Sport at the 2024 SBC Summit in Lisbon.
“On the one hand, horse racing’s history and rituals bring a sense of prestige and authenticity,” he said. “On the other hand, clinging too tightly to the old ways can stifle innovation.”
Sparke advocates a hybrid approach, aiming to maintain the thrill of live racing and the pageantry fans love while embracing innovations such as advanced data analytics, improved digital platforms and more engaging content tailored to younger fans.
This same stance could be said for greyhound racing, which also faces the need to balance tradition with innovation to attract younger fans and ensure commercial viability.
Modern facilities like those at Dunstall Park demonstrate a commitment to this evolution, but the sport must continue to embrace digital engagement and storytelling to secure its future.
More bans loom
Greyhound racing is grappling with challenges which extend beyond those faced by horse racing. In February 2025, the Welsh government announced it is moving to become the first UK nation to ban the sport, citing concerns over animal welfare, following New Zealand’s recent ban as a blueprint.
Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies revealed the planned ban, emphasising strong cross-party support and a focus on protecting dogs, owners and local communities during the transition.
With only one active track in Wales and most of the UK’s greyhound racing concentrated in England, the move sends ripples through an already shrinking industry.
While the Greyhound Board of Great Britain maintains welfare improvements have been substantial, the controversy highlights the precarious position the sport occupies.
