Guide to UK Horse Racing: 2026/27 Calendar

Discover Britain’s most famous racecourses, what makes each venue unique and the biggest horse racing events taking place throughout 2026 and 2027.

Horse racing has been part of British sporting culture for centuries, with some of the country’s most historic racecourses continuing to host major events every year. From the famous Cheltenham Festival to Royal Ascot and the Grand National, the British racing calendar brings together leading horses, jockeys and trainers across both Flat and National Hunt racing.

Among the country’s best-known venues is Chester Racecourse, recognised as the world’s oldest racecourse still in operation, with racing dating back to 1539. Meanwhile, Ascot Racecourse, Newmarket, York and Cheltenham have established themselves as major destinations for racing enthusiasts.

With the 2026 Flat season approaching its conclusion and the 2026/27 National Hunt campaign getting underway, attention is turning towards another busy year of racing. The 2027 calendar features the return of Britain’s biggest festivals, including the Cheltenham Festival, Royal Ascot, the Derby and the Grand National.

Key Horse Racing Festivals and Dates for 2026/27

Autumn and Winter Racing Highlights: 2026

• QIPCO British Champions Day (Ascot): Saturday 17th October 2026. One of the biggest days in British Flat racing, featuring five Group 1 contests, including the Champion Stakes and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.
• The William Hill Showcase (Cheltenham): Friday 23rd – Saturday 24th October 2026. The opening meeting of Cheltenham’s 2026/27 season offers an early opportunity to assess horses beginning their campaigns over hurdles and fences.
• Cheltenham November Meeting: Friday 13th – Sunday 15th November 2026. Three days of National Hunt racing, with the Paddy Power Gold Cup taking centre stage on Super Saturday.
• Cheltenham Christmas Meeting: Friday 11th – Saturday 12th December 2026. Cheltenham’s final meeting of the calendar year brings competitive jump racing to the Cotswolds ahead of the Christmas period.
• Howden Christmas Racing Weekend (Ascot): Friday 18th – Saturday 19th December 2026. Ascot’s festive meeting combines National Hunt racing with seasonal entertainment and the popular Christmas Family Raceday.

Winter and Spring Racing Highlights: 2027

• Cheltenham New Year’s Day Racing: Friday 1st January 2027. The new year begins with another afternoon of National Hunt racing at Cheltenham.
• Cheltenham Festival Trials Day: Saturday 30th January 2027. An important meeting for horses targeting the Cheltenham Festival, offering another opportunity to compete at the venue before March.
• Cheltenham Festival: Tuesday 16th – Friday 19th March 2027. Four days of leading National Hunt racing, featuring the Champion Hurdle, Queen Mother Champion Chase, Stayers’ Hurdle and Cheltenham Gold Cup.
• Randox Grand National Festival (Aintree): Thursday 8th – Saturday 10th April 2027. One of the world’s best-known horse racing festivals concludes with the Grand National on Saturday 10th April.
• Newmarket Guineas Festival: Friday 30th April – Sunday 2nd May 2027. The opening Classics of the British Flat season take place on Newmarket’s Rowley Mile, featuring the 2,000 Guineas and 1,000 Guineas.
• Chester May Festival: Wednesday 5th – Friday 7th May 2027. The historic three-day meeting features important Classic trials alongside the Chester Cup, one of the most recognisable staying handicaps in British Flat racing.
• York Dante Festival: Wednesday 12th – Friday 14th May 2027. York’s opening major meeting includes the Dante Stakes, an established trial for the Derby, alongside the Musidora Stakes and Yorkshire Cup.

Summer Flat Racing Highlights: 2027

• The Derby Festival (Epsom): Friday 4th – Saturday 5th June 2027. The Oaks and Derby return to Epsom Downs, with the latter remaining one of the most important races for three-year-old thoroughbreds.
• Royal Ascot: Tuesday 15th – Saturday 19th June 2027. Five days of outstanding Flat racing, royal tradition and fashion, with major races including the Gold Cup, Prince of Wales’s Stakes and Queen Anne Stakes.
• Newmarket July Festival: Thursday 8th – Saturday 10th July 2027. The July Course hosts three days of Flat racing, including the July Cup, one of the leading sprint contests in Europe.
• King George Day (Ascot): Saturday 24th July 2027. The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes brings together leading middle-distance horses for one of Britain’s most important Group 1 races.
• Qatar Goodwood Festival: Tuesday 27th – Saturday 31st July 2027. Known as Glorious Goodwood, the five-day festival features major contests including the Sussex Stakes, Goodwood Cup and Nassau Stakes.
• York Ebor Festival: Wednesday 18th – Saturday 21st August 2027. Four days of top-class racing at York, with the Juddmonte International, Yorkshire Oaks, Nunthorpe Stakes and Ebor Handicap among its principal attractions.

Autumn Flat Racing Highlights: 2027

• Betfred St Leger Festival (Doncaster): Thursday 9th – Sunday 12th September 2027. The four-day meeting features the St Leger Stakes on Saturday 11th September, the oldest of Britain’s five Classics.
• QIPCO British Champions Day (Ascot): Saturday 16th October 2027. Ascot once again stages the major end-of-season fixture, bringing together some of the leading horses across different Flat racing distances.

Britain’s Most Famous Racecourses: Which Should You Visit?

Each of Britain’s leading racecourses has its own history, distinctive layout and major annual events. From the demanding jumps course at Cheltenham to the unusual turns of Chester, these venues offer very different experiences for racing fans.

1. Cheltenham Racecourse

Cheltenham Racecourse is widely regarded as the home of British National Hunt racing, attracting many of the sport’s leading horses, trainers and jockeys throughout the jumps season. Its demanding uphill finish has contributed to some of the most memorable contests in racing history, particularly during the annual Cheltenham Festival.

The 2026/27 season begins with the Showcase Meeting in October, followed by the November and Christmas Meetings before the Cheltenham Festival returns in March 2027. The four-day Festival remains the venue’s biggest attraction, culminating in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

2. Aintree Racecourse

Aintree Racecourse is best known as the home of the Grand National, one of the most widely watched horse races in the world. Its famous fences, including Becher’s Brook and the Canal Turn, form part of a unique challenge that has helped establish the race’s place in British sporting history.

The 2027 Grand National Festival takes place from 8th to 10th April, bringing three days of high-quality jump racing to Liverpool. Alongside the Grand National itself, the meeting includes several Grade 1 contests and attracts leading runners from Britain and Ireland.

3. Newmarket Racecourse

Newmarket is recognised as the headquarters of British Flat racing, with a history closely connected to the development of thoroughbred racing. The town is also a major training centre, while its two racecourses, the Rowley Mile and July Course, stage some of the most important fixtures on the calendar.

The 2027 season includes the Guineas Festival from 30th April to 2nd May, featuring the first two Classics of the year, followed by the July Festival from 8th to 10th July. Both meetings provide opportunities to see some of the leading horses competing over a variety of distances.

4. Chester Racecourse

Chester Racecourse holds a unique place in British sporting history, with racing at the Roodee dating back to 1539. Recognised as the world’s oldest racecourse still in operation, Chester is also famous for its tight, left-handed circuit, which makes tactical positioning particularly important.

The 2027 Boodles May Festival takes place from 5th to 7th May, featuring the Chester Vase, Cheshire Oaks and Chester Cup. Its combination of historic surroundings, competitive racing and a lively atmosphere makes Chester one of the most distinctive venues on the calendar.

5. Epsom Downs Racecourse

Epsom Downs Racecourse is home to the Derby, one of the most significant races in the international Flat racing calendar. Its unusual track, featuring sharp turns, changes in elevation and a pronounced camber, provides a demanding examination of balance, stamina and speed.

The 2027 Derby Festival takes place on Friday 4th and Saturday 5th June, featuring the Oaks and Derby. The meeting attracts leading three-year-old horses from Britain, Ireland and further afield, with both Classics remaining major targets for owners and trainers.

6. Ascot Racecourse

Ascot Racecourse is among the most recognisable sporting venues in Britain, with a history dating back to its foundation by Queen Anne in 1711. The racecourse is closely associated with Royal Ascot, combining elite international Flat racing with the Royal Procession and long-established traditions.

Royal Ascot returns from 15th to 19th June 2027, followed by King George Day on 24th July and British Champions Day on 16th October. These meetings provide a varied programme of major international racing throughout the Flat season, while Ascot also hosts National Hunt fixtures during the winter.

7. York Racecourse

York Racecourse, situated on the Knavesmire, has established itself as one of Britain’s leading Flat racing venues. Its wide, galloping track regularly produces competitive contests, while the venue’s major meetings attract many of the sport’s leading horses.

The 2027 Dante Festival takes place from 12th to 14th May, followed by the Ebor Festival from 18th to 21st August. The latter is one of the highlights of the summer racing calendar, featuring the Juddmonte International, Yorkshire Oaks, Nunthorpe Stakes and Ebor Handicap.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the biggest horse racing events in Britain in 2027?

The biggest events include the Cheltenham Festival, Grand National, Guineas Festival, Derby Festival, Royal Ascot, Qatar Goodwood Festival, York Ebor Festival and St Leger Festival. British Champions Day at Ascot is another major fixture towards the end of the Flat season.

When is the 2027 Cheltenham Festival?

The 2027 Cheltenham Festival takes place from Tuesday 16th to Friday 19th March at Cheltenham Racecourse. The four-day meeting concludes with the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday 19th March.

When is Royal Ascot 2027?

Royal Ascot 2027 takes place from Tuesday 15th to Saturday 19th June at Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire. The five-day meeting features some of the most important Group 1 races in British Flat racing.

What is the oldest racecourse in Britain?

Chester Racecourse is the oldest racecourse still operating in Britain and is recognised as the oldest continually operating racecourse in the world. Horse racing has taken place at the Roodee since 1539.

What is the difference between Flat racing and National Hunt racing?

Flat racing takes place without obstacles and focuses on horses competing over a range of distances, generally during the warmer months of the year. National Hunt racing includes hurdle races and steeplechases, with major events such as the Cheltenham Festival and Grand National forming part of the jumps calendar.

Horse Racing Hospitality – 2026/27