Course Enclosure at Ripon

Who it suits

• Visitors looking for the lowest published individual admission price and an informal place to watch the finish.
• Families who want the permanent Course play park, the freedom of a grassed area and free under-18 admission.
• Groups planning a picnic with a small amount of canned alcohol; the Course is the only enclosure that allows this.

Ticket prices

2026 individual admission prices. Advance tickets were available online until 9am on raceday; on-the-day prices were subject to availability. Under-18s accompanied by an adult were admitted free. The Car To Course ticket is a different product and includes admission for up to four adults in one car.

Check availability on the official site

Where your ticket takes you

• Use the Course Enclosure and its grassed area, with viewing of the finish line.
• Visit the Course Bar and food outlets, and place bets at on-site bookmakers, William Hill or Britbet points.
• Use the permanent play park; on Family and Feature race days there may also be free children’s entertainment elsewhere in the public areas.
• Bring a picnic and consume it within the Course Enclosure. You may bring up to four cans per person or equivalent, but no glass containers or barbecues.

Not included

• The Course ticket does not include access to the Paddock or Club Enclosure; Paddock includes Course, and Club includes both.
• The ticket does not promise a covered seat. Ripon says cover is limited and the enclosure is mainly open grass.
• A standard individual Course ticket does not include entry for a vehicle; select Car To Course if you want to park within the enclosure.

The view

The Course Enclosure is a broad, open grassed space with a view of the finish line. Its position is useful if you want to see the runners reach the line, but Ripon says there is very little natural shade and only limited shelter in wet weather. Bar TVs let you follow the action if the weather turns. The enclosure is on flatter ground overall, with a sloped area providing viewing options; use the accessible information to plan where to watch if you need a firm, level route.

Food and drink

Food and drink are available at the Course Bar and outlets, while picnics may be brought into the area under the published limits.

Facilities

Dress code

There is no formal dress code in Course, but visitors should dress decently: bare chests and clothing with offensive messages are not allowed. Fancy dress is permitted when it is not offensive. Most of this enclosure is open grass and has little natural shade, so choose shoes that work on grass and bring a waterproof layer or sun protection for the forecast.

Getting in

Use the Course ticket gate if arriving on foot from the free main car park, or select Car To Course when booking if you want to drive into the enclosure. Gates typically open around two hours before the first race; the entry gates and car park are busiest in the hour beforehand. For 2026, advance tickets left online sale at 9am on raceday and on-the-day prices applied after that, subject to availability. There are no dogs except trained assistance dogs. You may leave and return during the day; obtain a re-entry pass from staff at the Paddock entrance before leaving.

Accessibility

Ripon describes Course as open grass with the ease of parking a few yards away; it is mainly flat with a sloped area providing viewing options. Accessible parking spaces are limited and the official accessible parking information specifically describes spaces near the Club and Paddock gates, so contact the Access Officer on 01765 530530 before choosing Course if you need a particular bay or route. Wheelchair-accessible toilets are across the course. A free essential companion ticket is available through the racecourse’s Nimbus Access Card process. The mobility buggy runs at the start of the day to the Paddock and Club entrances and resumes after the final race; a regular service during racing is not offered.

Full accessibility guide for Ripon

Children and families

Under-18s are free when accompanied by an adult. The permanent play park is in Course, and Family Days add free children’s entertainment. Baby-changing is available in every enclosure and high chairs are available on request. The grassed space works for families who want room to move, but there is limited natural shade and shelter, so plan for sun or wet conditions. A paying adult should remain with children throughout the visit.

Tips

• Choose Course when your priority is the finish-line view and open space; choose Paddock if you want the close-up Parade Ring.
• Keep picnic alcohol within the four-cans-per-person allowance and bring it in cans rather than glass. No barbecues are allowed.
• Take a picnic blanket, sun protection or a waterproof layer according to the weather; there is very little natural shade and limited cover.
• If you want to park beside the viewing area, book Car To Course rather than using the free main car park and walking in.
• Use the bar screens if rain makes it difficult to stay outside for every race.

Upgrading

Course admission does not include Paddock or Club. Paddock admission includes Course, and Club includes access to both Paddock and Course. The Course page does not describe an upgrade fee from Course; ask the ticket office about options for your meeting.

Questions people ask