2Oct 2026
BetMGM Autumn Friday Raceday
The penultimate Flat meeting of the year.
From£19
Tickets
Meetings and tickets for 2026/27
Here are the next racedays and Royal Ascot 2027. Ascot also races over jumps through the winter; the headline jumps races are the Long Walk Hurdle in December, the Clarence House Chase in January and the Ascot Chase in February.
Ascot fixturesSeason 2026/27
3Oct 2026
BetMGM Autumn Saturday Raceday
A Saturday of autumn Flat racing.
17Oct 2026
Qatar Racing British Champions Day
The finale of the British Flat season and Britain’s richest raceday: five Group 1 races worth £4.35 million in total. Gates open at 10.30am, the first race is at 12.55pm and the last at 4.40pm, followed by the After Party in the Queen Anne Enclosure. Tickets from £32; 18–26s can get Queen Anne tickets for £15 through Club 26.
From£32
Tickets
31Oct 2026
Fireworks Spectacular Family Raceday
Jumps racing and free family entertainment, followed by fireworks.
20–21Nov 2026
November Racing Weekend
Top-class jumps racing as the winter season gets going.
15–19Jun 2027
Royal Ascot
Five days of the best Flat racing in the world, the Royal Procession every afternoon and Britain’s most famous dress code.
- Tue
- Wed
- Thu: Gold Cup
- Fri
- Sat
From£37
Tickets
Prices are starting prices; better enclosures cost more.
A cheap first visit
An autumn Friday raceday, with tickets from about £19.
World-class racing
British Champions Day in October, the finale of the Flat season.
Bringing children
The Fireworks Spectacular Family Raceday on 31 October.
The big one
Royal Ascot in June. The Windsor Enclosure is the relaxed, affordable way in.
Which enclosure should you choose?
At Royal Ascot there are four enclosures, each with its own price, view and dress code. Here are the three you can buy tickets for.
Most relaxed · from £37
Windsor Enclosure
Along the Straight Mile, with the first view of the Royal Procession. No formal dress code, though smart daywear is encouraged. No Parade Ring access.
Festival feel · from £85
Village Enclosure
In the middle of the course, facing the grandstand, open Thursday to Saturday, with an after-party on the main stage until 9pm. Smart dress code.
Grandstand · from £99
Queen Anne Enclosure
Grandstand access, Parade Ring viewing and the bandstand singalong after racing. Formal dress code with a hat, headpiece or fascinator.
Compare every enclosure side by side: prices, views, bars and food, dress codes and entrances.
The Royal Enclosure
The Royal Enclosure is for members and their guests, or by buying a Royal Enclosure hospitality package. New members pay a joining fee, and an annual membership fee is being introduced for 2027. Juniors aged 10–17 may go with their parents on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
What will the trip cost?
A quick estimate for your group. Where we have confirmed a ticket price it’s filled in; otherwise add the price from the racecourse’s booking page. Change any figure to match your plans.
Getting to Ascot
Ascot is 25 miles west of London. The train is the easiest way in; traffic backs up for miles on the big days.
By train
South Western Railway runs direct trains from London Waterloo, Clapham Junction, Richmond and Twickenham. Reading is about 27 minutes away. Ascot station is a flat seven-minute walk from the racecourse.
By car
At Royal Ascot, car parks are colour coded and must be booked; official parking starts at about £45 a car. During the jumps season parking is free, on the day only, and can’t be booked.
Blue Badge parking
Display your Blue Badge on entry and a marshal will direct you to the accessible parking area.
Coaches and bikes
Coaches use the racecourse coach park, a short walk from the entrance; book coach travel early for Royal Ascot. There are bike racks near the entrance.
There is a helicopter landing facility close to the racecourse.
Coming by train?
Book advance fares to Ascot from London Waterloo or Reading.
Hotels near Ascot Racecourse
Stay in Ascot itself, in Windsor for its castle and riverside, or in London and take the train.
Royal Ascot week
Hotels around Ascot and Windsor fill up months ahead of Royal Ascot, and prices rise. Book early and check cancellation terms.
Windsor
About six miles away, with the castle, the Thames and plenty of restaurants.
- Windsor town centre, hotels, inns and the riverside
- Eton, across the bridge from Windsor
Ascot and Bracknell
Closest to the course.
- Ascot village, a short walk from the racecourse
- Bracknell, about 10 minutes away, with larger chain hotels
London
The widest choice, and trains from Waterloo in under an hour.
- Near Waterloo, for direct trains to Ascot
- Richmond or Twickenham, on the same line, closer to Ascot
Find a hotel near Ascot
Compare hotels in Ascot, Windsor and along the train line.
Affiliate link: we may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.
Evenings in Ascot and Windsor
Royal Ascot runs late: the course is open until 8pm, the Queen Anne Enclosure sings round the bandstand from about 6pm, and the Village Enclosure party goes on until 9pm.
- After racing
The bandstand
In the Queen Anne Enclosure, racegoers gather to sing round the bandstand after the last race, from about 6pm.
- Evening
Windsor
Restaurants and pubs by the castle and along the Thames, about six miles from the course.
- Late
Back to London
Trains run back to Waterloo; allow extra time, as Ascot station is very busy after racing.
Things to do while you are here
Make a weekend of it in Windsor.
Windsor Castle
The oldest occupied castle in the world, about six miles from the racecourse.
Windsor Great Park
The racecourse sits on its edge, with the Long Walk and the Savill Garden.
LEGOLAND Windsor
A big family day out close to Windsor.
The Thames
River trips from Windsor, and walks to Eton.
On the day
Here is what you need to know, especially at Royal Ascot and on Champions Day.
10:30Gates open on British Champions Day, Saturday 17 October 2026; first race 12.55pm, last race 4.40pm, gates close 7pm.
14:00The Royal Procession at Royal Ascot, after gates open at 10.30am; the first race is at 2.30pm and the last at 5.35pm.
20:00The Royal, Queen Anne and Windsor Enclosures close at Royal Ascot (the Village Enclosure at 9pm).
Source: British Champions Day and Royal Ascot 2026 timings published by Visit Windsor, checked 4 October 2026.
Dress codes
Each enclosure has its own dress code at Royal Ascot, and they are strictly enforced in the Royal and Queen Anne Enclosures. Check the official style guide before you go.
The Royal Procession
The Royal Family arrive in horse-drawn carriages each day before racing; the Windsor Enclosure gets the first view.
Parade Ring
Only the Royal and Queen Anne Enclosures can see the Parade Ring at Royal Ascot.
The bandstand
After the last race at Royal Ascot, racegoers in the Queen Anne Enclosure gather to sing around the bandstand from about 6pm.
Betting is optional
You don’t need to bet to enjoy the day. If you do, you must be 18 or over; set a limit before you arrive.
Families and groups
Ascot has a family raceday in October, and children can go to most enclosures.
Fireworks Spectacular Family Raceday
Saturday 31 October 2026, with free family entertainment and fireworks after racing.
Children at Royal Ascot
Children can go in the Queen Anne and Windsor Enclosures. The Royal Enclosure admits juniors aged 10–17 with their parents on Thursday, Friday and Saturday only.
Help on the day and afterwards
In an emergency
Call 999 and give the address, Ascot Racecourse, Ascot, SL5 7JX, and your enclosure. Then tell a member of staff.
After your visit
Official results are on the BHA results page.
A little history
- 1711Queen Anne, riding out from Windsor Castle, picks the heath for a racecourse.
- TodayAscot races 26 days a year, and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in July is one of Britain’s two richest races.
More Ascot guides
Royal Ascot guideEvery day, every price, hospitality and Festival travelCompare the enclosuresPrices, views, dress codes and entrances side by sideAccessibilityParking, viewing areas, toilets and personal assistant ticketsYour first racedayHow a day at the races works
Prices, dates and travel details were checked on 4 October 2026. The racecourse can change prices, times and arrangements, so check your booking page before you pay. This is an independent guide, not connected to Ascot Racecourse. Some links may earn us a small commission if you book, at no extra cost to you; this never decides what we recommend.