Racing festivals 2026
The fourteen major UK & Irish race meetings of the year. The big ones get the deep-dive treatment — we'll preview each in the 7-14 days before the meeting opens.
York Ebor Festival
19 – 22 August 2026 · York
Britain's flattest galloping course hosts the Juddmonte International, Yorkshire Oaks, Nunthorpe, Lonsdale Cup, and the Ebor handicap — Europe's richest staying handicap.
Coming up
York Ebor Festival
Tier 1Flat19 – 22 August 2026 · York · running today
Four days, four Group 1s, the Ebor handicap
St Leger Festival
Tier 2Flat9 – 12 September 2026 · Doncaster · in 21 days
The final Classic + four days at Doncaster
QIPCO British Champions Day
Tier 1Flat17 October 2026 · Ascot · in 59 days
One day, six championship races, end-of-season showpiece
Cheltenham November Meeting
Tier 2Jumps13 – 15 November 2026 · Cheltenham · in 86 days
Three days, jumps-season launch, Paddy Power Gold Cup
Kempton Christmas Festival
Tier 1Jumps26 – 27 December 2026 · Kempton · in 129 days
King George VI Chase and Christmas Hurdle
Recently finished
Glorious Goodwood
Flat28 Jul – 1 Aug 2026 · Goodwood
Newmarket July Festival
Flat9 – 11 July 2026 · Newmarket
Royal Ascot
Flat16 – 20 June 2026 · Ascot
Epsom Derby Festival
Flat5 – 6 June 2026 · Epsom
Dante Festival
Flat13 – 15 May 2026 · York
Chester May Festival
Flat6 – 8 May 2026 · Chester
Punchestown Festival
Jumps28 Apr – 2 May 2026 · Punchestown
Aintree Grand National Festival
Jumps9 – 11 April 2026 · Aintree
Full 2026 calendar (14 festivals)
| Festival | Course | Code | Dates | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheltenham Festival | Cheltenham | Jumps | 10 – 13 March 2026 | Tier 1 |
| Aintree Grand National Festival | Aintree | Jumps | 9 – 11 April 2026 | Tier 1 |
| Punchestown Festival | Punchestown | Jumps | 28 Apr – 2 May 2026 | Tier 1 |
| Chester May Festival | Chester | Flat | 6 – 8 May 2026 | Tier 2 |
| Dante Festival | York | Flat | 13 – 15 May 2026 | Tier 2 |
| Epsom Derby Festival | Epsom | Flat | 5 – 6 June 2026 | Tier 1 |
| Royal Ascot | Ascot | Flat | 16 – 20 June 2026 | Tier 1 |
| Newmarket July Festival | Newmarket | Flat | 9 – 11 July 2026 | Tier 2 |
| Glorious Goodwood | Goodwood | Flat | 28 Jul – 1 Aug 2026 | Tier 1 |
| York Ebor Festival | York | Flat | 19 – 22 August 2026 | Tier 1 |
| St Leger Festival | Doncaster | Flat | 9 – 12 September 2026 | Tier 2 |
| QIPCO British Champions Day | Ascot | Flat | 17 October 2026 | Tier 1 |
| Cheltenham November Meeting | Cheltenham | Jumps | 13 – 15 November 2026 | Tier 2 |
| Kempton Christmas Festival | Kempton | Jumps | 26 – 27 December 2026 | Tier 1 |
- Cheltenham FestivalJumps
- Dates
- 10 – 13 March 2026
- Tier
- Tier 1
- Aintree Grand National FestivalJumps
- Dates
- 9 – 11 April 2026
- Tier
- Tier 1
- Punchestown FestivalJumps
- Dates
- 28 Apr – 2 May 2026
- Tier
- Tier 1
- Chester May FestivalFlat
- Dates
- 6 – 8 May 2026
- Tier
- Tier 2
- Dante FestivalFlat
- Dates
- 13 – 15 May 2026
- Tier
- Tier 2
- Epsom Derby FestivalFlat
- Dates
- 5 – 6 June 2026
- Tier
- Tier 1
- Royal AscotFlat
- Dates
- 16 – 20 June 2026
- Tier
- Tier 1
- Newmarket July FestivalFlat
- Dates
- 9 – 11 July 2026
- Tier
- Tier 2
- Glorious GoodwoodFlat
- Dates
- 28 Jul – 1 Aug 2026
- Tier
- Tier 1
- York Ebor FestivalFlat
- Dates
- 19 – 22 August 2026
- Tier
- Tier 1
- St Leger FestivalFlat
- Dates
- 9 – 12 September 2026
- Tier
- Tier 2
- QIPCO British Champions DayFlat
- Dates
- 17 October 2026
- Tier
- Tier 1
- Cheltenham November MeetingJumps
- Dates
- 13 – 15 November 2026
- Tier
- Tier 2
- Kempton Christmas FestivalJumps
- Dates
- 26 – 27 December 2026
- Tier
- Tier 1
Festival dates are best-effort. Always verify against the official BHA / Horse Racing Ireland fixture list. 18+ only · Bet responsibly · BeGambleAware.org