Meetings and tickets for 2027
The racecourse currently lists Sunday 2 May 2027 as its next fixture, the Opening Family Raceday. The 2027 British Horseracing Authority fixture list is published, but Hamilton Park’s own detailed fixture page still shows the 2026 programme; the venue has not yet published gates-open, first-race and last-race times for its 2027 meetings.
The date is listed on Hamilton Park’s home page; fixture timings are not yet published. See the racecourse’s fixture list.
The online 2026 schedule gives fixture-by-fixture gates-open, first-race and last-race times; these vary by meeting. Its listed 2026 ticket prices were £27 in advance, £32 at the gate and £23 for concessions or students, with under-18s free. Those are historical 2026 prices, not a quote for 2027.
Bringing children
The Family Raceday that opens the season.
A summer night out
A Friday racenight with entertainment after racing.
The big race
The Lanark Silver Bell racenight.
Dressing up
Ladies’ Night.
Which enclosure should you choose?
Hamilton Park sells one general admission ticket for the public racecourse. Trackside Terrace is a separately booked upgrade on selected fixtures, while hospitality packages include VIP admission and use Duke’s Entrance and Car Park.
General admission
General Admission
Access to outdoor areas, the Parade Ring and named public bars; accompanied under-18s go free but need a ticket.
Reserved viewing
Trackside Terrace
Reserved, undercover trackside picnic-bench seating, with fixture-specific admission and picnic terms.
VIP entry
Hospitality
Duke’s Restaurant, private boxes and restaurant marquees with VIP admission, dining and access through Duke’s Entrance.
Compare every enclosure side by side: prices, views, bars and food, dress codes and entrances.
Dress code at Hamilton Park Racecourse
Hamilton recommends smart-casual clothing but says visitors’ comfort is its priority. Football colours are discouraged, and it advises dressing for the weather because racing is outdoors. Check the forecast before choosing your layers and footwear, and think about the time you will spend outdoors during the meeting. If you have booked a specific dining or hospitality package, consult its instructions or ask Hamilton Park for clarification before travelling. This keeps your outfit choice aligned with the area you have actually booked.
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 Hamilton Park
Hamilton is 15 miles from Glasgow and 40 from Edinburgh.
By train
Trains from Glasgow Central. Motherwell station, four miles away, has trains from Edinburgh.
By car
Free public parking via Gate 4. On busy days there’s overflow parking at Hamilton College and Caird Street.
By air
Edinburgh Airport is 33 miles away.
Parking at Hamilton Park Racecourse
Hamilton directs general admission visitors to its main public car park, with additional overflow arrangements nearby. Owners, members and hospitality guests use Duke’s Car Park. Cars may remain overnight, but are left at their owners’ risk. Check your ticket category before following another vehicle into a parking area, and consult the current racecourse map or staff for the appropriate entrance. Ask the course about any parking charge when arranging your visit.
Official parking advice — checked 14 October 2026.
Coming by train?
Book trains to Hamilton West.
Hotels near Hamilton Park Racecourse
Hamilton has hotels in the town centre and beside the racecourse; nearby Strathclyde Country Park offers a quieter base by the loch. Hamilton Park says Hamilton West is about a 15-minute walk from the racecourse. If you stay in the town, plan your return after an evening fixture; if you choose the park, factor in how you will reach the town’s shops and restaurants.
Hamilton and the racecourse
These named hotels are in Hamilton, including an on-site option and town-centre properties.
- Hampton by Hilton Hamilton Park, on the racecourse site, with 118 bedrooms and racecourse views
- The Avonbridge Hotel, a Hamilton hotel on Carlisle Road with guest rooms, restaurant and bar
- Clydesdale Hotel, a 12-bedroom Hamilton hotel with en-suite rooms; it says local places to eat are a few minutes’ walk away
- Holiday Inn Express Hamilton, a Hamilton hotel about 0.8 miles from Low Parks Museum and 1.7 miles from Hamilton Park Racecourse
Strathclyde Country Park
A short drive from the racecourse, beside the loch and park attractions.
- Alona Hotel, a four-star hotel within Strathclyde Country Park, by the loch
- Holiday Inn Express Strathclyde Park, a hotel listed by VisitLanarkshire among its Strathclyde Park area options
Find a hotel
Compare hotels in Hamilton and Glasgow.
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Evenings in Hamilton and Glasgow
Hamilton town centre has a theatre programme, pubs and bars, so you can make an evening of a stay in the town rather than spending the whole trip at the racecourse.
- Performance nights
The Town House
The Town House is Hamilton’s listed civic complex turned arts venue. Its programme ranges from touring productions and national companies to local amateur groups, alongside arts classes and community events. Check the current programme for the date you are staying.
- Weekend evenings
The Stonehouse Bar
Hamilton Our Town describes this town pub as having live music every weekend. It is a straightforward option for a drink and local music after dinner.
- Town-centre bars
Morgan’s Tavern and the local food scene
Morgan’s Tavern on Quarry Street is described by the town business district as a lively bar with themed nights. Hamilton’s centre also has restaurants and casual places to eat listed by local businesses, making it easy to have dinner and a drink without going to Glasgow.
Things to do while you are here
Hamilton’s history and green space are close together: a town-centre museum, the ducal parkland at Chatelherault and the larger Strathclyde Country Park sit within a short local trip.
Low Parks Museum
The oldest surviving building in Hamilton is now a museum about the town and the Hamilton family. VisitLanarkshire highlights its Cameronians regimental museum and changing displays, exhibitions and activities.
Chatelherault Country Park
The former hunting lodge is a visitor centre within parkland southeast of Hamilton. VisitLanarkshire describes heritage paths through woodland, past Cadzow Castle and over the Green Bridge above the River Avon; there is also a children’s play park and the Oaks Café.
Strathclyde Country Park
The lochside park has walking and cycling routes, a watersports centre, playgrounds, hotels and restaurants. M&D’s Scotland’s Theme Park and its indoor attractions are also within the park, giving families an all-weather option.
Hamilton Mausoleum and Palace Grounds
The mausoleum stands in the Palace Grounds, close to the town centre. VisitLanarkshire describes it as a major local landmark; the grounds make a useful addition to a walk between Hamilton’s heritage sites.
Plan local days out
VisitLanarkshire’s Hamilton guide brings together town heritage, outdoor routes and local attractions.
On the day
The racecourse publishes practical guidance on admission, food, parking and facilities. Timings depend on the meeting: its detailed online programme currently gives 2026 times, while the 2027 fixture schedule has no published race-day timetable yet.
Admission and tickets
The current FAQ says under-18s are admitted free but still need a ticket. General admission gives access to the outdoor areas and named public bars; some indoor spaces may be closed or booked privately on particular fixtures. E-tickets are emailed no later than two days before the meeting.
Parking and the entrance
The main public car park is free and reached through Gate 4. On busy days and evenings, Hamilton Park lists overflow parking at Hamilton College and Caird Street. The general-admission entrance is the main turnstiles; members, owners, trainers and hospitality guests may use Duke’s entrance and car park.
Food, drink and cover
The racecourse FAQ lists Duke’s, Panorama, Racing TV, Red’s Wine and Braveheart’s bars, plus outdoor catering. Its current policy does not allow alcohol to be brought in; picnic food is allowed but must be eaten outside, and glass is not permitted. The grandstand canopy gives some cover and umbrellas are permitted.
Clothing and betting
Hamilton Park recommends smart-casual dress, discourages football colours and reminds visitors that racing is outdoors. The FAQ says there is no strict dress code. Betting is optional; you must be 18 or over to bet, and setting a limit in advance can help keep it within budget.
Families and groups
The racecourse welcomes children throughout the season, and Hamilton also has parks, a museum and indoor activities for a family staying longer.
Under-18 admission and family facilities
Under-18s go free at Hamilton Park, but the FAQ says children still need a ticket. The 2026 Opening Family Raceday page listed free entry for under-18s and family food packages with adult and child tickets; those are 2026 event details, not a promise about 2027 packages. The racecourse has outdoor areas, bars and catering, and its accessibility page lists ground-floor toilets and a grandstand lift. Strathclyde Country Park nearby has play areas and family attractions, while M&D’s Scotland’s Theme Park is within the park.
Official racecourse FAQ · Opening Family Raceday 2026 details
Help on the day and afterwards
In an emergency
Call 999 and give the address, Hamilton Park Racecourse, Bothwell Road, Hamilton, ML3 0DW. Then tell a member of staff.
Racecourse office
Call 01698 283806.
Accessibility
Blue Badge bays are in the Duke’s car park (Gate 1). There are accessible toilets, viewing areas and lifts.
After your visit
Official results are on the BHA results page.
A little history
- 1926Racing began at the Bothwell Road site. Hamilton Park says 40,000 racegoers attended the opening fixtures.
- 2026Hamilton Park marked 100 years at Bothwell Road with its centenary season.
More Hamilton Park guides
Prices, dates and travel details were checked on 3 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 Hamilton Park Racecourse or Hamilton Park. Some links may earn us a small commission if you book, at no extra cost to you; this never decides what we recommend.