12–14May 2027
Dante Festival
York’s season opener, with the Dante Stakes, a key trial for the Derby, and the Yorkshire Cup.
Tickets
Meetings and tickets for 2027
York’s season runs from May to October. These are the two big festivals for 2027; see the racecourse’s fixture list for every raceday.
York fixturesSeason 2027
18–21Aug 2027
Sky Bet Ebor Festival
Four days and York’s richest, fastest and most famous races: the Juddmonte International, Yorkshire Oaks, Nunthorpe and the Ebor.
- Wed: Juddmonte International
- Thu: Yorkshire Oaks, Ladies Day
- Fri: Nunthorpe
- Sat: The Ebor
Clocktower, on the day£5
Tickets
Children under 18 go free with an adult at almost every meeting. Early-bird prices apply if you book County Stand or Grandstand & Paddock at least two weeks ahead, groups of six or more get a discount, and a group of 20 gets one ticket free.
On a budget
The Clocktower Enclosure: from £5 on the day, picnics welcome, with close-up views of the finish from the grassy bank.
Big racing
The Ebor Festival in August, with the Juddmonte International on Wednesday and Europe’s richest handicap, the Ebor, on Saturday.
Bringing children
Under-18s go free with an adult, and York holds a family Sunday in September, when the Grandstand & Paddock and Clocktower are combined at a fixed price.
Dressing up
Ladies Day, the Thursday of the Ebor Festival, the busiest fashion day of the season.
A city break
Any raceday: York city centre, with its walls, Minster and the Shambles, is a walk away.
Which enclosure should you choose?
There are three enclosures. County Stand and Grandstand & Paddock tickets can be booked in advance; Clocktower tickets are only sold on the day. Each better ticket includes the cheaper areas, and under-18s go free.
Premier
County Stand
Access to everything, including the Moët Pavilion, Roof Terrace and Champagne Lawns, elevated viewing from the listed Gimcrack and Ebor Stands, the Gimcrack Restaurant and Princess Mary Seafood Bar, the winning-post lawns and a racecard. Men must wear a jacket, collared shirt and tie.
Largest
Grandstand & Paddock
The Knavesmire Stand and its many bars, trackside viewing, the Knavesmire Restaurant, the Parade Ring, Pre-Parade Ring and main betting ring. Relaxed dress code.
Best value · from £5
Clocktower Enclosure
A grassy bank with close-up views of the finish, food courts, bars and bookmakers. Picnics welcome, but no glass, barbecues or gazebos. Sold on the day only, first come first served.
Compare every enclosure side by side: prices, views, bars and food, dress codes and entrances.
Dress code at York Racecourse
York’s County Stand requires men, including those identifying as men, to wear a jacket, collared shirt and tie. The course accepts short-sleeved shirts, bow ties, cravats, dress shorts, jeans and trainers within that guidance. Women have no formal clothing requirement. Grandstand & Paddock has no formal dress code and accepts family-friendly fancy dress. During hot weather the County Stand rules may be relaxed, so check official updates for your meeting rather than relying on a past exception.
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 York
The Knavesmire is just over a mile from the city centre. Most people take the train to York and walk or catch the shuttle.
By train
Direct trains also run from Edinburgh, Newcastle, Manchester, Birmingham and Bristol.
Shuttle bus 197
Leaves from stop RJ opposite the station entrance from 11am until about the first race. Buses back leave from Campleshon Road, next to the racecourse entrance, from about 4pm.
Walking
On racedays there is a marked walking route back into the city centre after racing.
By car
Follow the raceday signs (postcode YO23 1EX). Cars can be left overnight at the owner’s risk and must be removed before 10am the next day. Private-hire pickups use Car Park A on the north side or C on the south side; hackney taxis use the rank in Car Park D.
Coaches and minibuses
Coaches drop off and collect in Coach Park C and can’t stop on the surrounding roads.
By air
Manchester Airport is about 90 minutes away.
Parking at York Racecourse
York’s racecourse parking is free. On racedays, follow the yellow direction signs and colour-coded squares: blue for Car Park A, green for C and red for D. Car Park D is reserved for permit holders, and larger vehicles such as minibuses should use C because A is intended for private cars. The course recommends approaching via the A64 and warns against relying on sat-nav during road restrictions. Overnight vehicles remain at the owner’s risk and should leave before 10am the next day.
Official parking advice — checked 14 October 2026.
Coming by train?
Book advance fares to York; it is on the East Coast Main Line.
Hotels near York Racecourse
Stay in York itself: the racecourse is walkable from the city centre, and York is a brilliant place for an extra night.
Ebor Festival week
York is busy in August anyway, and Ebor week fills hotels quickly. Book early.
Close to the course
A short walk or taxi from the Knavesmire.
- Middlethorpe Hall, a country house hotel near the course
- York Marriott, overlooking the racecourse
- Dean Court, by York Minster
In the city
Walk to the course and the city’s pubs and restaurants.
- The Grand, by the city walls
- Hotel du Vin, on the Mount, on the way to the course
- Grays Court, beside the Minster
Ebor Festival hotels: where to stay and travel
Find a hotel in York
Compare hotels across York for your dates.
Affiliate link: we may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.
Evenings in York
York has one of the best collections of historic pubs in England, all within walking distance of the course.
- After racing
Walk back into town
Follow the marked walking route from the Knavesmire back into the city centre, about 20 minutes on foot.
- Evening
Micklegate and the Shambles
Micklegate, on the way in from the course, is lined with pubs and bars; the medieval streets around the Shambles have restaurants of every kind.
- Late
Riverside
Bars and restaurants along the River Ouse, and river cruises from the city centre on summer evenings.
Things to do while you are here
York is worth an extra day.
York Minster
One of the largest Gothic cathedrals in northern Europe; climb the central tower for views across the city.
The city walls
Walk the medieval walls most of the way round the city centre, about two miles, with free entry and great views of the Minster.
The Shambles
York’s famous medieval shopping street, with overhanging timber-framed buildings, independent shops and cafés.
National Railway Museum
Next to York station, and free to visit; home to the record-breaking steam locomotive Mallard and hundreds of other engines.
On the day
Timings for a normal raceday; the Ebor Festival opens a little earlier.
11:15Gates open on most racedays (11:00 at the Ebor Festival).
13:30–14:00The first race is usually in this window.
FreeParking at every raceday.
Under 18Free with an accompanying adult.
Source: York Racecourse FAQs, checked 4 October 2026.
What to wear
Men need a jacket, collared shirt and tie in the County Stand. Dress codes are relaxed in the Grandstand & Paddock and Clocktower.
Picnics
Welcome in the Clocktower Enclosure, but no glass anywhere on the racecourse.
Evening meetings
Gates open at 4pm, racing starts at 5:30pm and music follows until about 10pm.
ID and Challenge 25
York runs a Challenge 25 policy at every bar. Concession tickets must be collected on the day with formal ID, such as a UK driving licence, passport or government ID card.
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
York extends a warm welcome to families: under-18s go free with an adult in every enclosure.
Under-18s free
Children under 18 go free with an adult (terms apply on music racedays). In the Clocktower Enclosure, under-16s must be with an adult.
Dress code for children
The County Stand dress code doesn’t apply to under-16s, though many enjoy dressing up. Junior badges are available in the County Stand.
Baby changing
Baby-changing facilities are in every enclosure, including on the ground floor of the Ebor Stand in the County Stand and the Knavesmire Stand in the Grandstand & Paddock.
Help on the day and afterwards
In an emergency
Call 999 and give the address, York Racecourse, Knavesmire Road, York, YO23 1EX. Then tell a member of staff.
Racecourse office
For groups and lounges, call 01904 620911.
After your visit
Official results are on the BHA results page.
A little history
- 1731Racing moves to the Knavesmire.
- 1754A grandstand designed by the architect John Carr opens; parts of it survive today.
- 1843The first running of the Ebor Handicap, now Europe’s richest Flat handicap and the centrepiece of the August festival.
- TodayYork is the third richest racecourse in Britain by total prize money, and the Juddmonte International is one of the world’s top-rated races.
More York guides
Ebor 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 York Racecourse. Some links may earn us a small commission if you book, at no extra cost to you; this never decides what we recommend.