Ascot Racedays: Your Guide to the 2026-27 Fixtures

Ascot at a glance

Ascot Racecourse sits in Berkshire, about 25 miles west of London. The course stages both flat and jump racing. It hosts 13 of Britain’s 36 annual Flat Group 1 races. In addition, it hosts three Grade 1 jumps races. More than 500,000 people visit each year. That figure accounts for roughly 10% of all UK racegoers.

Ascot holds 26 race days across the year. Of these, 18 are flat meetings from April to October. The other eight are jump meetings from October to March. Whether you want a summer afternoon in the sun or a crisp winter day by the rails, there is a raceday for you.

The fixtures below run from November 2026 to October 2027. Each section gives the date, the type of racing and the kind of group it suits. Each section also links to the full Engage event page.

Jump racing: winter and early spring

The jump season runs from October to March. It brings hurdles and fences into the racing. Ascot’s winter fixtures feel very different from the summer meetings. The weather is cooler, the afternoons are shorter and a warm coat is a good idea. Engage offers hospitality at four jump fixtures in the 2026-27 season.

November Racing Weekend (Friday 20 and Saturday 21 November 2026)

The November Racing Weekend is a two-day jump meeting. It is one of the first major fixtures of Ascot’s jump season. Ascot describes it as one of two strong jump weekends at the end of the year. For that reason, it sets the tone for the months ahead.

However, Saturday is the stronger day for top-level jump racing. The card includes Grade 2 contests. Among them is the Ladbrokes 1965 Chase, which Ascot has raised to £100,000 in prize money. Reports suggest that three races on the Saturday carry the same £100,000 value. That makes it a card to watch if you follow the chasers.

The weekend suits client entertaining. Guests enjoy a strong afternoon of racing in a different setting from the summer meetings. Gate times vary between meetings, so check the event page before you travel.

Howden Christmas Racing Weekend (Friday 18 and Saturday 19 December 2026)

The Howden Christmas Racing Weekend is the final race meeting of Ascot’s calendar year. The two-day event pairs jump racing with a festive atmosphere. Ascot’s own promotion also includes carol singing.

Above all, the racing sits at the centre of the weekend. Ascot presents the two days as a mix of festive celebration and high-quality jump racing. As a result, the mood stays lively without losing sight of the sport. Racing fans who follow the jumps season will see the leading chasers and hurdles in the run-up to Christmas.

The weekend works well for team Christmas outings. A December afternoon at the track gives colleagues a shared experience. It feels different from a typical office party. Two days also allow time for a longer trip or an overnight stay nearby.

BetMGM Clarence House Chase Raceday (Saturday 23 January 2027)

The BetMGM Clarence House Chase Raceday is a single-day January fixture. It centres on the Clarence House Chase. This Grade 1 race covers about two miles and one furlong, and horses jump thirteen fences during the race. Leading contenders for the Queen Mother Champion Chase often take part.

Because the trip is shorter than the staying chases, the pace and tactics can make for an exciting race. Success goes to horses that jump fluently and quicken at the finish.

The single day suits groups who want a focused afternoon. It works well for a January client gathering or a smaller team outing.

Betfair Ascot Chase Raceday (Saturday 20 February 2027)

The Betfair Ascot Chase Raceday takes place on Saturday 20 February 2027. It centres on the Betfair Ascot Chase, a Grade 1 contest over about two miles and five furlongs. Ascot stages it every February. The most recent renewal took place on Saturday 14 February 2026. Jonbon won that race from Pic D’Orhy.

By late February, the jump season nears its final stretch. The racing carries more weight as horses head towards spring. Fans of the chasers will find the day a useful guide to where the season is heading.

February also offers a good final winter outing before the flat season starts. The afternoon brings more daylight than January does. Groups who want to get out of the office after the quieter months will find it suitable.

Flat racing: spring and summer

The flat season runs from April to October. It accounts for 18 of Ascot’s 26 race days. Flat races have no obstacles. Instead, the racing focuses on speed, tactics and how jockeys position their horses through the field. Engage’s flat fixtures cover the spring opening through to the autumn finale.

Spring Family Raceday (Sunday 4 April 2027)

The Spring Family Raceday opens the flat season on Sunday 4 April 2027. Family meetings aim to be relaxed and easy to attend. The Sunday timing suits guests who want a gentle afternoon rather than a full working day.

The meeting suits groups that mix ages. Younger guests can enjoy the atmosphere. Adults can follow the racing. It is an easy way to bring a wider group together after the winter.

Check the event page for details of what each package includes. Family offers can vary.

Spring also brings a clear change in the racing. Horses return to form after the winter. Early meetings offer a first look at the season ahead. Guests who enjoy spotting horses back in action will find plenty to watch.

Royal Ascot Trials Day (Friday 30 April 2027)

The Royal Ascot Trials Day starts the flat season in style, according to Ascot. The day moved to a Friday for the first time in 2026, and the 2027 fixture also falls on a Friday.

Trials show which horses are in form ahead of the summer. Many of them head for the Royal Meeting in June. For racing fans, the day offers a chance to watch contenders take shape. Following their progress through the summer makes the Royal Meeting more rewarding.

The day also suits guests who want to test a racing trip before the summer peak.

Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% May Racing Weekend (Friday 7 and Saturday 8 May 2027)

The Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% May Racing Weekend is a two-day flat meeting in early May. Ascot describes its racing weekends as combining high-stakes racing with a relaxed social side.

Two days give guests more time at the track than a single fixture allows. You can follow the racing across both days, spend longer with clients and enjoy the spring weather. For that reason, the weekend suits client entertaining in spring. The sponsor’s name adds to the occasion without taking away from the sport.

Summer Mile Racing Weekend (Friday 9 and Saturday 10 July 2027)

The Summer Mile Racing Weekend is a two-day flat meeting in July. It follows the Royal Meeting in June. This weekend gives the summer programme another major date.

Summer weather makes this a pleasant weekend at the track. The racing is strong, and the atmosphere is lively without being overwhelming. For many guests, July feels like the fullest point of the flat season.

The weekend suits corporate summer hospitality and celebrations. It gives guests two days of racing in good weather. Groups can also combine the racing with a longer summer break.

King George Weekend (Friday 23 and Saturday 24 July 2027)

The King George Weekend ranks among the leading meetings on Ascot’s calendar, second only to Royal Ascot. Ascot describes it as a historic meeting of great importance.

The weekend centres on the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, a feature race of the British summer. The race brings together top middle-distance horses. Racing across the weekend reflects the importance of the fixture. Guests who follow the sport closely will want to see the key races live.

Because demand for this weekend is high, early enquiries help. Planning ahead improves your chances of securing the package you want.

Royal Ascot and the summer social calendar

Royal Ascot is the highlight of the British summer social calendar. It takes place in June. Engage’s Royal Ascot hospitality sits on separate event pages. For 2027, Engage lists the Royal Ascot Ladies Day for Thursday 17 June 2027.

Guests who want to experience Royal Ascot can explore ICON, Engage’s hospitality brand at the course. The ICON events page explains the brand in more detail. It also shows how ICON fits within the wider Engage range.

Ready to plan your Ascot visit? Enquire with the Engage team to check availability for any of these fixtures. You can also call us on +44 (0)207 048 4848.

Late summer and autumn

The season continues with three further fixtures. Each one offers a different feel. They range from a team-based afternoon in August to a food-led weekend in September and a two-day autumn meeting in October.

Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup (Saturday 7 August 2027)

The Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup takes place on Saturday 7 August 2027. It is a team competition, which sets it apart from other meetings in the calendar. Four teams of three jockeys compete for points across six handicap races. The afternoon builds to an overall team result.

Because the format is team-based, the racing carries a shared sense of competition from start to finish. Guests can follow their team through the card and enjoy the rivalry as the points build. Team line-ups have changed between editions. Ascot will confirm the 2027 teams closer to the day.

The Shergar Cup suits team days out and corporate groups who want to join the competition. The August timing also gives guests the chance to enjoy the racing in late summer weather.

The Big Ascot Food and Wine Racing Weekend (Friday 3 and Saturday 4 September 2027)

The Big Ascot Food and Wine Racing Weekend runs over two days in early September 2027. Ascot describes it as a taste sensation alongside two days of late summer flat racing.

The food and wine focus sets this weekend apart. Guests can enjoy dining as part of the day. The racing becomes one part of a longer, more relaxed experience.

The weekend suits guests who enjoy good food and want the afternoon to feel like a celebration. It also makes a strong choice for client entertaining in late summer. Your guests will enjoy the combination of racing and dining. The two-day format also leaves time to explore the food and drink on offer.

BetMGM Autumn Racing Weekend (Friday 1 and Saturday 2 October 2027)

The BetMGM Autumn Racing Weekend brings a two-day flat meeting to early October 2027. It is one of the final flat meetings of the year. The autumn light gives the racecourse a different look from the summer fixtures.

The weekend has a long-standing social side. For many years, Ascot has paired its Autumn Racing Weekend with a beer festival in partnership with CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale. The 2026 festival took place on 2 and 3 October. Ascot has yet to confirm the 2027 arrangements, so check the event page before planning around them.

The autumn weekend suits guests who want a final flat meeting of the year. It gives groups a chance to enjoy the racing before the jump season returns. It also offers a good moment to plan ahead for the winter fixtures.

Choosing the right raceday

The right raceday depends on the occasion, the group and the time of year. Flat racing suits summer entertaining, celebrations and longer days out. Jump racing offers a different atmosphere in the cooler months. The chases and hurdles bring energy, and the winter afternoons bring their own warmth.

Start with the season. Winter fixtures suit festive gatherings and January client events. Summer weekends suit longer days out and team celebrations. If your group includes families, the Spring Family Raceday offers an easy introduction to the course. The two-day weekends give more flexibility for guests travelling from further afield.

Consider how much of the day you want to spend at the track. A single-day meeting gives a focused afternoon. A two-day weekend allows more time for racing, hospitality and conversation. Think about your budget and the number of guests too. Then check the event pages for the package details that matter most to your group.

Talk to our team about your Ascot plans. Our contact page offers the quickest route to a tailored quote. You can also browse the full horse racing hospitality range.

Frequently asked questions

How many racedays does Ascot host each year?
Ascot hosts 26 race days a year. Of these, 18 are flat meetings from April to October, and eight are jump meetings from October to March.

When is the first raceday covered in this guide?
The first fixture is the November Racing Weekend on Friday 20 and Saturday 21 November 2026.

What is the difference between flat and jump racing?
Flat races have no obstacles. Jump races include hurdles or fences that horses must clear during the race.

Can I book Royal Ascot hospitality through Engage?
Engage lists Royal Ascot Ladies Day on its website. To check availability for a specific day, contact the Engage team.

Which raceday suits a family day out?
The Spring Family Raceday on Sunday 4 April 2027 suits families well. Check the event page for what each package includes.

How can I enquire about Ascot racedays?
Use the enquiry form on any event page. You can also visit the contact page or call +44 (0)207 048 4848.