Staging both flat and National Hunt racing, this Berkshire venue is undoubtedly most well-known for the fabulous Royal Ascot Festival which takes place in June each year. Held over five days, the meeting contains no fewer than eight Group 1 events, including the St James’s Palace Stakes, the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, the Gold Cup, the Commonwealth Cup and the Diamond Jubilee Stakes. It should come as no surprise that this is viewed as the classiest meeting of the year, bar none.
As a dual-purpose venue, Ascot operates all year round, with the National Hunt action taking over upon the conclusion of the flat season in October. Highlights over the jumps include the Clarence House Chase in January and the Ascot Chase in February.
Upcoming Fixtures at Ascot
- Friday 4th September 2026 - Flat / Turf
- Saturday 5th September 2026 - Flat / Turf
- Friday 2nd October 2026 - Flat / Turf
- Saturday 3rd October 2026 - Flat / Turf
- Saturday 17th October 2026 - Flat / Turf
- Saturday 31st October 2026 - Jump / Turf
- Friday 20th November 2026 - Jump / Turf
- Saturday 21st November 2026 - Jump / Turf
- Friday 18th December 2026 - Jump / Turf
- Saturday 19th December 2026 - Jump / Turf
Recent Fixtures
- Saturday 8th August 2026 - Flat / Turf
- Saturday 25th July 2026 - Flat / Turf
- Friday 24th July 2026 - Flat / Turf
- Saturday 11th July 2026 - Flat / Turf
- Friday 10th July 2026 - Flat / Turf
- Saturday 20th June 2026 - Flat / Turf
- Friday 19th June 2026 - Flat / Turf
- Thursday 18th June 2026 - Flat / Turf
- Wednesday 17th June 2026 - Flat / Turf
- Tuesday 16th June 2026 - Flat / Turf
- Saturday 9th May 2026 - Flat / Turf
- Friday 8th May 2026 - Flat / Turf
- Friday 1st May 2026 - Flat / Turf
- Sunday 29th March 2026 - Jump / Turf
- Saturday 14th February 2026 - Jump / Turf
- Saturday 17th January 2026 - Jump / Turf
- Saturday 20th December 2025 - Jump / Turf
- Friday 19th December 2025 - Jump / Turf
- Saturday 22nd November 2025 - Jump / Turf
- Friday 21st November 2025 - Jump / Turf
- Saturday 1st November 2025 - Jump / Turf
- Saturday 18th October 2025 - Flat / Turf
- Saturday 4th October 2025 - Flat / Turf
- Friday 3rd October 2025 - Flat / Turf
- Saturday 6th September 2025 - Flat / Turf
Ascot Major Meetings
Ascot Racecourse stages top-class racing throughout the year, with its calendar spanning both Flat and National Hunt action. From prestigious winter jumps contests to some of the most famous Flat races anywhere in the world, few racecourses can rival Ascot for quality. Royal Ascot naturally steals the spotlight, but the venue hosts major fixtures during every season.
Clarence House Chase (January)
Ascot gets the year underway with one of Britain’s premier two-mile chases. Often attracting the very best speed chasers in training, this Grade 1 contest regularly has a significant bearing on the Champion Chase picture ahead of the Cheltenham Festival.
- Held in January as one of Ascot’s first major meetings of the year
- Features the Grade 1 Clarence House Chase among other races
- Key mid-season target for elite two-mile steeplechasers
Ascot Chase (February)
The Ascot Chase meeting provides another major stepping stone on the road to Cheltenham. Staying chasers take centre stage in one of the season’s most competitive Grade 1 contests, while the supporting card is packed with quality jumping action.
- Staged in mid-February (great prep for Cheltenham)
- Headlined by the Grade 1 Ascot Chase
- Attracts great crowds considering the time of year
Royal Ascot (June)
This is racing’s ultimate festival. Five spectacular days combine world-class horses, royal tradition and unforgettable fashion, with some of the biggest names in Flat racing competing for enormous prize funds on one of the sport’s grandest stages. There are no fewer than 35 races, eight of them at Group 1 level.
- Five-day festival held each June (Tuesday to Saturday)
- Highlights include the Gold Cup, St James’s Palace Stakes, and the Royal Hunt Cup
- One of the world’s most prestigious Flat racing festivals
Royal Ascot is essentially the most famous race meeting staged anywhere in the world.
King George Weekend (July)
Ascot’s midsummer showpiece is centred around the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Britain’s premier all-aged middle-distance race. It regularly attracts champions from Britain, Ireland, France and beyond for one of the defining contests of the Flat season.
- Staged over two days in late July
- Features the Group 1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes
- Among Europe’s most valuable and prestigious Flat meetings
Shergar Cup (August)
The Shergar Cup offers something a little different, with jockeys competing in teams rather than as individuals. Its relaxed atmosphere, international flavour and post-racing entertainment make it one of the most distinctive events on the British racing calendar.
- Held on a Saturday in early August
- International team competition named after the legendary racehorse Shergar
- Popular family-friendly meeting with live music after racing
The Big Ascot Food & Wine Racing Weekend (September)
Food, drink and Flat racing come together during this increasingly popular autumn fixture. Alongside competitive racing, visitors can enjoy artisan produce, tasting experiences and plenty of entertainment away from the track.
- Takes place during September over two days
- Combines quality Flat racing with food and wine experiences
- Appeals to both racing enthusiasts and casual visitors
Champions Day (October)
British Flat racing reaches its grand finale on Champions Day. The season’s biggest stars return for one last appearance, with championship honours, huge prize money and several Group 1 races creating an outstanding afternoon of racing.
- Held in October to conclude the British Flat season
- Features multiple Group 1 races, including the Champion Stakes and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes
- One of the richest race days in Europe
This is the culmination of the British Champions Series. The champion jockey is crowned on this day, while winners of the Champion Stakes are usually considered among the very best racehorses in the world.
Christmas Racing Weekend (December)
Ascot rounds off the year with a festive jumps spectacular that consistently attracts high-class fields. The Long Walk Hurdle and Silver Cup headline a weekend that offers plenty of clues ahead of the biggest races later in the National Hunt season.
- Staged across two days in December
- Includes the Long Walk Hurdle and Silver Cup Handicap Chase
- One of Britain’s leading Christmas race meetings
