Royal Ascot

Race Card

Royal Ascot 2026 runs June 16 to 20 at Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire, with the first race each day at 2:30 PM BST and feature Group 1 races carrying purses of £1,000,000 or more. The five-day Royal Meeting is the richest week of racing in Europe, attended by the British Royal Family, and has been held annually since Queen Anne founded the racecourse in 1711.

Queen Anne founded the course in 1711, riding across open land near Windsor Castle and declaring it perfect for racing. Over three centuries later, the meeting remains under royal patronage, and the King's procession down the straight mile in a horse-drawn carriage before each day's racing is one of the most recognizable traditions in British sport. The Royal Enclosure enforces a strict dress code: morning suits and top hats for men, formal day dresses with hats for women. It is a spectacle of fashion as much as it is a display of racing brilliance.

The racing itself is world-class. Frankel's devastating Queen Anne Stakes victory in 2012, when he accelerated away from the field to confirm his status as perhaps the greatest racehorse ever, was witnessed by 80,000 breathless spectators. The Gold Cup, run on Ladies Day over two and a half miles, is the meeting's most historic race, first run in 1807. Yeats won it four consecutive times from 2006 to 2009, a feat that may never be repeated.

Day 1 (June 16) opens with the Queen Anne Stakes and the King Charles III Stakes from 2:30 PM BST. Day 2 (June 17) features the Prince of Wales's Stakes, one of the best middle-distance races in the world. Day 3, Ladies Day (June 18), is headlined by the Gold Cup. Day 4 (June 19) showcases the Coronation Stakes for fillies. Day 5 (June 20) closes the meeting with the Diamond Jubilee Stakes, a Group 1 sprint. Each day's first race goes off at 2:30 PM BST, with the final race typically at 6:10 PM BST.

For fans on the US East Coast, the 2:30 PM BST first race falls at 9:30 AM EDT, with the feature races typically around 11:00 AM EDT. West Coast viewers get racing from 6:30 AM PDT. European viewers on the continent get a 3:30 PM CET start for the first race each day. Australian fans in Sydney face an 11:30 PM AEST start, technically late evening of the previous night. Japanese viewers in Tokyo can tune in from 10:30 PM JST. Fans in Dubai get racing from 5:30 PM GST, an excellent evening viewing slot.

Ascot Racecourse holds up to 80,000 on the biggest days, and the atmosphere oscillates between refined elegance in the Royal Enclosure and raucous celebration in the Silver Ring. The morning begins with the Royal Procession, which travels down the course at exactly 2:00 PM, and by the time the first race goes off at 2:30 PM, the entire venue is crackling with anticipation. The fashion is extraordinary, with hat designers competing for attention as fiercely as the horses compete for prize money. Between races, the champagne flows, the betting rings buzz, and the social scene is unlike anything else in British sporting life. By the final race on Saturday, the entire week has built to a crescendo that leaves both racegoers and television viewers exhausted and elated.

Aidan O'Brien and the Coolmore operation consistently dominate Royal Ascot, sending battalions of runners from Ballydoyle that sweep through the Group 1 races. Charlie Appleby's Godolphin operation is the main rival, with a string of horses specifically prepared for the meeting. Japanese raiders have become an increasingly exciting element in recent years, targeting the sprints and mile races. Watch for the Queen Anne Stakes on Day 1 as an early indicator of the week's quality, and look for the Gold Cup on Ladies Day to produce one of the most emotional moments of the year.

For the current time in Ascot, check Ascot time. For more on UK time, see United Kingdom time.

Venue

Ascot Racecourse in Ascot, England

Check the time in Ascot

FAQ

When is the Royal Ascot?

The Royal Ascot takes place on 2026-06-16 with the first race at 14:30 Europe/London.

What time does the Royal Ascot start?

The first race at the Royal Ascot is scheduled for 14:30 Europe/London on 2026-06-16. All post times on this page are converted to your local timezone.

Where is the Royal Ascot held?

The Royal Ascot is held at Ascot Racecourse in Ascot, England.

How many races are at the Royal Ascot?

The Royal Ascot features 5 races across 5 days.

How can I watch the Royal Ascot?

Coverage depends on your country. Check your local racing broadcaster for live coverage. All post times on this page are shown in your local timezone.