3Oct 2026
Oktoberfest Raceday
Jumps racing with a Bavarian theme.
Tickets
Meetings and tickets for 2026/27
Here are Fontwell’s next racedays. Later highlights include Boxing Day, the Southern National in the autumn and the National Spirit Hurdle, the feature race of the season; see the racecourse site for the full list.
Fontwell Park fixturesSeason 2026/27
21Oct 2026
October Jump Racing
A midweek afternoon of jumps racing.
31Oct 2026
Fireworks Night
Racing followed by fireworks.
6Nov 2026
November Jump Racing
A Friday afternoon of jumps racing.
26Dec 2026
Boxing Day Racing
Fontwell’s festive raceday. The Barnham shuttle doesn’t run on Boxing Day.
Ticket prices are on the racecourse’s booking site; trackside parking and hospitality can be booked at the same time.
Something different
The Oktoberfest Raceday in early October.
Bringing children
Fireworks Night on 31 October, or a Family Fun Day.
A festive outing
Boxing Day racing.
Close to the action
Park trackside in the centre of the course.
Which enclosure should you choose?
Fontwell offers Grandstand & Paddock admission, a Premier Viewing suite ticket, and separately ticketed Centre Course parking. Restaurant and private-box hospitality is booked separately and includes admission.
General admission
Grandstand & Paddock
Access to the Grandstand public areas, parade ring, winner’s enclosure, public bars, food outlets and betting.
Premier ticket
Premier Viewing
A suite overlooking the home straight and winning post, with a balcony, drink and racecard, plus access to public areas.
Picnic area
Centre Course (Trackside Parking)
A separately sold car park in the middle of the course; race admission is also required. Picnics are allowed here, but no drinks may be brought in.
Pre-booked
Restaurant & Hospitality
Separately booked hospitality, including the Premier Lounge Restaurant, private boxes and seasonal group packages.
Compare every enclosure side by side: prices, views, bars and food, dress codes and entrances.
Dress code at Fontwell Park Racecourse
Fontwell has no strict dress code and recommends smart-casual clothing in hospitality and Premier. Smart jeans or tailored shorts with a collared shirt are suggested for men. Grandstand & Paddock is more relaxed. Sports team shirts and offensive fancy dress are excluded throughout, while acceptable fancy dress is restricted to Grandstand & Paddock. Most of the visit takes place outdoors, so choose clothing that keeps you comfortable in the forecast conditions rather than treating occasion outfits as compulsory.
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 Fontwell Park
Fontwell is on the A27 between Chichester and Arundel, with a free shuttle from Barnham station.
By train
Regular trains from London Victoria, Portsmouth, Brighton and Southampton. Arundel station is about three miles away.
Free shuttle bus
Runs from gates opening until the first race, and back from the penultimate race until 30 minutes after the last. Not on Boxing Day.
By car
Use postcode BN18 0SY for the main free car park, or BN18 0SX for the Centre Course (trackside) parking, which is charged.
By bus
The local bus between Chichester and Littlehampton stops at Barnham station and the racecourse.
Parking at Fontwell Park Racecourse
Fontwell’s main car park is free and is reached from Fontwell Avenue using BN18 0SY. Trackside, also called Centre Course, is a separate paid option available at selected fixtures and can be booked ahead. It uses a different approach postcode, BN18 0SX, just off the A27. Prices vary for larger meetings, so check the fixture before purchasing. Coaches have allocated parking and are directed there on arrival; follow your booking instructions for the correct entrance.
Official parking advice — checked 14 October 2026.
Coming by train?
Book trains to Barnham.
Hotels near Fontwell Park Racecourse
Chichester offers hotels, inns, B&Bs and apartments in its historic centre; Arundel and the coast are other bases for exploring West Sussex.
Chichester city centre
Stay within walking distance of the cathedral, restaurants and the station; useful if you are arriving by train.
- Chichester Harbour Hotel, boutique hotel and spa in the city
- The Nags Head, pub, restaurant and 10-room hotel
- Travelodge Chichester Central, central budget hotel
Inns and self-catering
Choose a characterful pub stay or an apartment for more space. Arundel gives a smaller historic-town base east of the course.
- The George & Dragon Inn, city-centre coaching inn with rooms
- South Street Apartments, self-catering in central Chichester
- Arundel accommodation, inns and guesthouses in the castle town
Find a hotel
Compare hotels in Chichester, Arundel and on the coast.
Affiliate link: we may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.
Evenings in Arundel and Chichester
Chichester has a city-centre mix of pubs, restaurants and evening performances, while Arundel offers a quieter historic-town evening.
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Dinner at The Nags Head
This Chichester pub and hotel has a restaurant, beer garden and a menu built around pub classics; its site also lists quiz nights and bingo.
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Food and drink in the centre
Chichester BID’s restaurant and café listings cover independent places around the city centre, including North and South Streets.
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Theatre night
Chichester Festival Theatre presents plays, musicals and touring productions. Check its programme for a performance during your stay.
Things to do while you are here
Fontwell sits between the South Downs and the sea.
Chichester
The medieval cathedral and the remains of the Roman walls.
Arundel
A hilltop castle town on the River Arun.
Goodwood
The racecourse, motor circuit and estate are nearby.
The coast
Beaches and harbours a short drive south.
On the day
Useful things to know at Fontwell.
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Source: Fontwell Park’s Southern National 2026 event page and racecourse news article, checked 2 October 2026.
What to wear
Fontwell is relaxed, with no strict dress code.
Watch the figure of eight
The chases cross the middle of the course, so the horses pass the stands more often than at most tracks.
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.
Main and centre-course parking
The main car park is free. Centre Course parking is a separate ticketed option; the racecourse says picnics are permitted there.
Families and groups
Children are welcome at Fontwell, with free admission for most racedays.
Children’s admission and entertainment
Children under 17 go free with a paying adult, up to three children per adult. Some Festival and Live After Racing events are excluded. Selected family fixtures advertise activities such as bouncy castles, face painting and pony rides; check the ticket page for the chosen event.
Help on the day and afterwards
In an emergency
Call 999 and give the address, Fontwell Park Racecourse, Arundel Road, Fontwell, BN18 0SY. Then tell a member of staff.
Racecourse office
Call 01243 543335.
After your visit
Official results are on the BHA results page.
A little history
- 1924Local trainer Alfred Day opens the racecourse.
- TodayHistoric Fontwell House, on the course, is also a wedding venue.
More Fontwell Park guides
Compare the enclosuresPrices, views, dress codes and entrances side by sideAccessibilityParking, viewing areas, toilets and personal assistant ticketsYour first racedayHow a day at the races worksOther racecoursesPlan a trip to another course
Prices, dates and travel details were checked on 2 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 Fontwell Park 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.