23Oct 2026
Futurity Trophy Friday
The opening day of the Futurity Trophy weekend; gates about 11:30, first race about 1:30pm.
Tickets
Meetings and tickets for 2026/27
Doncaster races all year. Here are its racedays from October to Christmas, including the Group 1 Futurity Trophy, and the St Leger Festival in 2027. Other highlights are the Great Yorkshire Chase in January and the Lincoln in March.
Doncaster fixturesSeason 2026/27
24Oct 2026
Futurity Trophy Day
The Group 1 Futurity Trophy, the last Group 1 of the British Flat season, for two-year-olds.
7Nov 2026
November Handicap Day
The traditional finale of the turf Flat season.
27Nov 2026
Jumps Season Opener
The first jumps racing of the winter.
28Nov 2026
Autumn Afternoon Racing
A Saturday of jumps racing.
11Dec 2026
Christmas Jumper Raceday
Festive jumps racing.
12Dec 2026
Christmas Jumper Day
A Saturday of festive jumps racing.
29Dec 2026
Winter Family Fun Day
Jumps racing with family entertainment.
9–12Sept 2027
Betfred St Leger Festival
Four days and the world’s oldest Classic: Ladies’ Day to start, the Doncaster Cup, the St Leger on Saturday and a family Sunday Funday.
- Thu: Ladies’ Day
- Fri: Doncaster Cup
- Sat: St Leger
- Sun: Sunday Funday
Booking online is usually a few pounds cheaper than paying on the gate, and pensioners get a reduced rate in the Grandstand. Prices rise for the St Leger Festival and for concert racedays.
On a budget
The Family or Grandstand enclosure on an ordinary raceday.
Big-race atmosphere
St Leger Saturday in September.
Bringing children
Sunday Funday at the St Leger Festival, with free family entertainment.
Winter jumps
The Great Yorkshire Chase weekend in January.
Which enclosure should you choose?
On most racedays there are four ticket types: Family, Grandstand, County and Premier. A better ticket includes the cheaper areas. At the St Leger Festival the racecourse packages them differently. Children aged 17 and under go free when accompanied by an adult.
Most relaxed
Family Enclosure
A relaxed area with no dress code and its own entrance, aimed at families.
Main enclosure
Grandstand
Trackside lawns and terraces, grandstand seating, the Parade Ring and plenty of bars. No dress code except no sports shirts or offensive fancy dress.
Smart casual
County
The Champagne Lawn, County bars and food, and the Old Weighing Room in summer. Smart jeans and a collared shirt are fine.
Premium
Premier
The third floor of the grandstand, with balcony views over the finishing line. Jacket for men, smart attire for women; children must dress smartly too.
Compare every enclosure side by side: prices, views, bars and food, dress codes and entrances.
Dress code at Doncaster Racecourse
Doncaster’s requirements depend on the ticket area. In the Premier Enclosure and Home Straight Restaurant, men need a jacket, with a tie optional, and women are asked to wear smart clothes. Jeans and sportswear are excluded in these spaces, and children are also asked to dress smartly. Grandstand permits fancy dress; anyone planning fancy dress in County should contact the racecourse before booking. Since racing is predominantly outdoors, dress for the weather as well as your enclosure.
Official clothing advice — checked 14 October 2026.
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 Doncaster
Doncaster is on the East Coast Main Line and close to the motorway network, so it is easy to reach by train or car.
By train
Direct trains from London King’s Cross, York, Leeds and Edinburgh. A shuttle bus runs between the racecourse and Doncaster Interchange, next to the station.
By car
Public raceday parking is in Car Park C; the current FAQ lists £5 in advance or £7 on the day. Car Park A is reserved for specified groups including hospitality guests and Blue Badge holders. Follow the yellow parking signs; the racecourse is on Leger Way, DN2 6BB.
Entrances
County, Premier and hospitality guests use the Main Reception entrance; Grandstand guests use the Grandstand entrance on Leger Way. At big meetings the Family Enclosure has its own entrance at Gate 8 off Sandall Beat Road.
Staying on site
The Hilton Garden Inn is on the racecourse itself, about half a mile from the town centre, so you can walk to racing.
Parking at Doncaster Racecourse
Doncaster provides on-site parking, with public parking in Car Park C. The current FAQs list different charges for advance booking and payment on the day, so check the official page when arranging your visit. Car Park A, opposite the main stand, is reserved for specified groups including hospitality guests, annual members and Blue Badge holders; a permit, ticket or identification is needed. Follow the yellow road signs to the correct car park rather than assuming all visitors use the same entrance.
Official parking advice — checked 14 October 2026.
Coming by train?
Book advance fares to Doncaster.
Hotels near Doncaster Racecourse
Stay right on the racecourse, in Doncaster town centre, or out in the South Yorkshire countryside. York, Sheffield and Leeds are all a short train ride away.
St Leger week
Rooms near the course go quickly for the St Leger Festival in September. Book early.
On the racecourse
As close as you can get.
- Hilton Garden Inn Doncaster Racecourse, on the racecourse itself, about half a mile from the town centre, with a pool
Doncaster town centre
A short shuttle or taxi ride to the course.
- The Earl of Doncaster, a town-centre hotel with a pool
- Mercure Doncaster Centre Danum Hotel, on the High Street in the town centre
- Premier Inn Doncaster Central, a budget option in the town centre
In the countryside
A short drive away.
- Best Western Premier Mount Pleasant Hotel, a country hotel with a spa, near Rossington, south-east of Doncaster
- The Crown Hotel, Bawtry, a hotel on the market place in Bawtry, south of Doncaster
- Hex Wildlife Hotel, at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, a short drive from the course
Further afield
Easy by train.
- York, Sheffield or Leeds, all with direct trains to Doncaster
St Leger Festival hotels: where to stay and travel
Find a hotel
Compare hotels in Doncaster and nearby cities.
Affiliate link: we may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.
Evenings in Doncaster
At the St Leger Festival the party carries on at the course after racing. On other days, Doncaster town centre is a short shuttle or taxi ride away.
- After racing
Live entertainment
At the St Leger Festival there’s live music and entertainment across the course after the last race.
- Steak
La Boca
A popular steakhouse and grill in Doncaster.
- Real ale
The Draughtsman Alehouse
A small, well-rated real-ale pub in Doncaster.
- Dinner
Thornhurst Manor
A popular pub and restaurant near Doncaster.
Things to do while you are here
Doncaster has some of South Yorkshire’s best family days out, all a short drive from the racecourse.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park
A walk-through wildlife park with polar bears, lions, tigers and giraffes, about four miles from the racecourse.
Cusworth Hall and Park
An 18th-century Georgian country house in landscaped parkland with lakes and trails, free to visit.
Brodsworth Hall and Gardens
A Victorian country house kept much as it was in the 1860s, with gardens and a children’s playground.
Conisbrough Castle
A dramatic castle keep with views over South Yorkshire; it inspired Sir Walter Scott’s Ivanhoe.
Potteric Carr Nature Reserve
A wetland reserve on the edge of the town, good for walks and birdwatching.
On the day
Gate and race times vary by meeting; check your raceday page. Here are examples from this autumn.
11:30Gates open for Futurity Trophy Friday, 23 October 2026; first race about 1.30pm.
FreeParking on every raceday except during the St Leger Festival.
Under 18Free with an accompanying adult, except at Live After Racing concert days.
Source: Doncaster Racecourse raceday pages and Welcome to Yorkshire, checked 4 October 2026.
Dress codes
Premier: jacket for men (tie optional) and smart attire for women; no jeans or sportswear, and children must dress smartly too. County: smart casual, such as smart jeans and a collared shirt; no sportswear or fancy dress. Grandstand: relaxed, but no sports team shirts or offensive fancy dress. Family: no dress code.
Over-60s discount
Racegoers over 60 get 50% off Grandstand and Family Enclosure tickets bought on the day.
A Day at the Races
A limited number of Grandstand packages each raceday include admission, a racecard, a welcome drink and a traditional pie.
After racing
At the St Leger Festival the party carries on after racing, with live entertainment across the course.
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
Doncaster is good value for families: children aged 17 and under go free when accompanied by an adult.
Under-18s free
Children aged 17 and under get in free with an adult on almost every raceday; the exception is Live After Racing concert days.
Family Fun Racedays
Several racedays have free children’s entertainment, including the Winter Family Fun Day on 29 December 2026.
Family Enclosure
The Family Enclosure has no dress code and its own entrance, and is the most relaxed place to watch with children.
Help on the day and afterwards
In an emergency
Call 999 and give the address, Doncaster Racecourse, Leger Way, Doncaster, DN2 6BB, and your enclosure. Then tell a member of staff.
After your visit
Official results are on the BHA results page.
A little history
- 1776The first St Leger, now the oldest of the five British Classics.
- TodayDoncaster is the only northern racecourse to stage a Classic, and one of Britain’s busiest dual-purpose courses.
More Doncaster guides
St Leger Festival 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 Doncaster Racecourse or Arena Racing Company. Some links may earn us a small commission if you book, at no extra cost to you; this never decides what we recommend.