Last Updated on 21/05/2026 by Andy Clark
Royal Ascot 2026 is the biggest Flat racing meeting of the British summer. The five-day festival runs from Tuesday 16 June to Saturday 20 June 2026, with 35 races across the week, including eight Group 1s and a total prize fund of £10.645 million. ITV Racing broadcasts all 35 races free-to-air, with Sky Sports Racing providing additional coverage.
This guide covers everything you need to know about Royal Ascot 2026: full race schedule with start times and prize money, how to watch on TV, the key races each day, betting tips, enclosure guide, dress codes, and practical info about getting to Ascot Racecourse.
For ongoing daily racing tips throughout Royal Ascot, see our horse racing tips hub including Lucky 15 tips, NAP of the day and each-way bet of the day from Henry Gibbs.
When Is Royal Ascot 2026?
Royal Ascot 2026 takes place from Tuesday 16 June to Saturday 20 June 2026 at Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire. Gates open daily at 10:30am, the Royal Procession takes place at 2pm each afternoon, and the first race of each day gets underway at 2:30pm.
| Day | Date | First Race | Final Race |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Tuesday 16 June 2026 | 2:30pm | 6:10pm |
| Day 2 | Wednesday 17 June 2026 | 2:30pm | 6:10pm |
| Day 3 (Ladies’ Day) | Thursday 18 June 2026 | 2:30pm | 6:10pm |
| Day 4 | Friday 19 June 2026 | 2:30pm | 6:10pm |
| Day 5 | Saturday 20 June 2026 | 2:30pm | 6:10pm |
Each day features seven races. Across the five-day festival there are 35 races in total, eight of which are Group 1 contests.
Royal Ascot 2026 Full Race Schedule
Day 1 — Tuesday 16 June 2026
| Time | Race | Class | Distance | Prize Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2:30pm | Queen Anne Stakes | Group 1 | 1m | £800,000 |
| 3:05pm | Coventry Stakes | Group 2 | 6f | £200,000 |
| 3:40pm | King Charles III Stakes | Group 1 | 5f | £700,000 |
| 4:20pm | St James’s Palace Stakes | Group 1 | 1m | £700,000 |
| 5:00pm | Ascot Stakes Handicap | Class 2 | 2m4f | £120,000 |
| 5:35pm | Wolferton Rated Stakes | Listed | 1m2f | £125,000 |
| 6:10pm | Copper Horse Stakes Handicap | Class 2 | 1m6f | £120,000 |
Day 1 opens with the Queen Anne Stakes, a Group 1 race over one mile that traditionally features high-quality four-year-old milers. The King Charles III Stakes and St James’s Palace Stakes are both £700,000 Group 1 contests later in the afternoon.
Day 2 — Wednesday 17 June 2026
| Time | Race | Class | Distance | Prize Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2:30pm | Queen Mary Stakes | Group 2 | 5f | £175,000 |
| 3:05pm | Queen’s Vase | Group 2 | 1m6f | £265,000 |
| 3:40pm | Duke of Cambridge Stakes | Group 2 | 1m | £250,000 |
| 4:20pm | Prince of Wales’s Stakes | Group 1 | 1m1f | £1,000,000 |
| 5:00pm | Royal Hunt Cup Handicap | Class 2 | 1m | £175,000 |
| 5:35pm | Kensington Palace Stakes Handicap | Class 2 | 1m | £120,000 |
| 6:10pm | Windsor Castle Stakes | Listed | 5f | £125,000 |
The £1 million Prince of Wales’s Stakes is the headline race of Wednesday — open to horses aged 4 and over. The Royal Hunt Cup later in the afternoon is one of the toughest handicaps to predict across the entire Flat season.
Day 3 (Ladies’ Day) — Thursday 18 June 2026
| Time | Race | Class | Distance | Prize Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2:30pm | Chesham Stakes | Listed | 7f | £125,000 |
| 3:05pm | King George V Stakes Handicap | Class 2 | 1m3f | £120,000 |
| 3:40pm | Ribblesdale Stakes | Group 2 | 1m3f | £250,000 |
| 4:20pm | Ascot Gold Cup | Group 1 | 2m4f | £700,000 |
| 5:00pm | Britannia Stakes Handicap | Class 2 | 1m | £130,000 |
| 5:35pm | Hampton Court Stakes | Group 3 | 1m1f | £175,000 |
| 6:10pm | Buckingham Palace Stakes Handicap | Class 2 | 7f | £120,000 |
Thursday is Ladies’ Day, with the Ascot Gold Cup the centrepiece. The Gold Cup is run over 2 miles 4 furlongs and is the most prestigious staying race of the Flat season. Recent winners Stradivarius and Kyprios dominated the market in previous years, with Trawlerman winning in 2025.
Day 4 — Friday 19 June 2026
| Time | Race | Class | Distance | Prize Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2:30pm | Albany Stakes | Group 3 | 6f | £125,000 |
| 3:05pm | Commonwealth Cup | Group 1 | 6f | £700,000 |
| 3:40pm | Duke of Edinburgh Stakes Handicap | Class 2 | 1m3f | £120,000 |
| 4:20pm | Coronation Stakes | Group 1 | 7f | £700,000 |
| 5:00pm | Sandringham Stakes Handicap | Class 2 | 1m | £120,000 |
| 5:35pm | King Edward VII Stakes | Group 2 | 1m3f | £250,000 |
| 6:10pm | Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes Handicap | Class 2 | 5f | £120,000 |
Friday features two Group 1 races. The Commonwealth Cup is restricted to three-year-old sprinters and often produces winners who go on to long careers at the top level. The Coronation Stakes is open to three-year-old fillies only and frequently features runners stepping up from the 1,000 Guineas.
Day 5 — Saturday 20 June 2026
| Time | Race | Class | Distance | Prize Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2:30pm | Norfolk Stakes | Group 2 | 5f | £175,000 |
| 3:05pm | Hardwicke Stakes | Group 2 | 1m3f | £250,000 |
| 3:40pm | Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes | Group 1 | 6f | £1,000,000 |
| 4:20pm | Jersey Stakes | Group 3 | 7f | £175,000 |
| 5:00pm | Wokingham Stakes Handicap | Class 2 | 6f | £175,000 |
| 5:35pm | Golden Gates Stakes Handicap | Class 2 | 1m2f | £120,000 |
| 6:10pm | Queen Alexandra Stakes Handicap | Class 2 | 2m5f | £120,000 |
The Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes — renamed in honour of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022 — is the crowning Group 1 race of Royal Ascot Saturday with a £1 million prize fund. Khaadem won at 80/1 in 2023 and successfully defended the crown in 2024.
How to Watch Royal Ascot 2026
Royal Ascot 2026 is available to watch via two main UK broadcasters:
ITV Racing broadcasts all 35 races free-to-air across the five days, with full studio coverage, paddock analysis and post-race interviews. ITV’s Royal Ascot coverage typically begins from approximately 1:30pm each day.
Sky Sports Racing provides additional coverage with different presenters and analysis, available via Sky Sports subscription packages. Sky Sports Racing typically opens coverage earlier than ITV and includes additional supporting races from other meetings.
Most UK bookmaker apps also stream every Royal Ascot race for qualifying account holders. bet365, Betfred, Coral, Ladbrokes and other major operators include Royal Ascot streaming as a standard customer feature — typically requiring either a funded account or a small qualifying bet on the day.
What Is the Ascot Gold Cup?
The Ascot Gold Cup is the most prestigious staying race in British Flat racing — a Group 1 contest run over 2 miles 4 furlongs at Royal Ascot. It takes place on Thursday of the meeting (also known as Ladies’ Day) and carries £700,000 in prize money.
The Gold Cup is restricted to horses aged 4 and over. Recent winners include Trawlerman (2025), Kyprios, Stradivarius (a three-time winner who dominated the race between 2018 and 2020) and Yeats (a four-time winner between 2006 and 2009 — the only horse to win the Gold Cup four times).
The Ascot Gold Cup is the centrepiece of Royal Ascot’s “Stayers’ Triple Crown” alongside the Goodwood Cup and the Doncaster Cup. Horses that win all three in the same season are extremely rare.
What Are the Group 1 Races at Royal Ascot 2026?
Royal Ascot 2026 features eight Group 1 races across the five-day festival:
| Race | Day | Distance | Prize Money |
|---|---|---|---|
| Queen Anne Stakes | Tuesday | 1m | £800,000 |
| King Charles III Stakes | Tuesday | 5f | £700,000 |
| St James’s Palace Stakes | Tuesday | 1m | £700,000 |
| Prince of Wales’s Stakes | Wednesday | 1m1f | £1,000,000 |
| Ascot Gold Cup | Thursday | 2m4f | £700,000 |
| Commonwealth Cup | Friday | 6f | £700,000 |
| Coronation Stakes | Friday | 7f | £700,000 |
| Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes | Saturday | 6f | £1,000,000 |
The Prince of Wales’s Stakes and Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes are the joint-richest races of the festival at £1 million each. The other six Group 1s carry £700,000 to £800,000 in prize money.
How Much Is Prize Money at Royal Ascot 2026?
Royal Ascot 2026 carries a total prize fund of approximately £10.645 million across 35 races. This makes Royal Ascot one of the richest meetings in world horse racing, with prize money exceeded only by select Breeders’ Cup and Saudi/Dubai meetings internationally.
The breakdown by race type:
- 8 Group 1 races: £700,000 to £1 million each
- 8 Group 2 races: £175,000 to £265,000 each
- 4 Group 3 races: £125,000 to £175,000 each
- Listed and Class 2 handicaps: £120,000 to £175,000 each
This generous prize structure ensures the world’s leading owners send their best horses to Royal Ascot every year.
Royal Ascot 2026 Betting Tips and Strategy
Royal Ascot is one of the most competitive betting meetings of the year. Field sizes are typically large, races are highly competitive, and there are five days of consecutive top-level Flat racing to navigate. Here are practical betting strategies:
Each-Way Betting at Royal Ascot
Royal Ascot is ideal for each-way betting. Many races have large fields (often 20+ runners in handicaps), which means most bookmakers offer extended each-way terms — typically paying 5 or 6 places instead of the standard 3 or 4.
An each-way bet splits your stake in half: half backs the horse to win, half backs it to place. If the horse wins, you collect both halves. If it places, you collect the place portion of your bet at a fraction of the win odds (typically 1/4 or 1/5).
The races best suited to each-way betting at Royal Ascot include:
- Royal Hunt Cup (large field handicap over 1 mile)
- Britannia Stakes (3-year-old handicap with typically 30 runners)
- Wokingham Stakes (Saturday sprint handicap)
- Hunt Cup (Wednesday handicap, highly competitive)
- Ascot Stakes Handicap (Tuesday long-distance handicap)
For more on each-way strategy and our daily each-way picks, see Henry Gibbs’ each-way bet of the day page.
Best Odds Guaranteed at Royal Ascot
Best Odds Guaranteed (BOG) is a feature offered by most major UK bookmakers on Royal Ascot races. If you take a price early — for example, backing a horse at 12/1 ante-post — and the starting price (SP) drifts to 16/1, BOG means you’re paid at the bigger price.
For Royal Ascot punters, BOG protects against late market drift and is particularly valuable on ante-post markets where prices fluctuate significantly. Most bookmakers apply BOG from 8am on race day; Betfred apply it from 7am — the earliest of any UK bookmaker.
For more on Best Odds Guaranteed and which bookmakers offer it, see our Best Odds Guaranteed guide.
Ante-Post Betting at Royal Ascot
Ante-post betting at Royal Ascot is backing a horse to win before final declarations have been made. The advantage is locking in longer prices than you’d get on race day; the risk is losing your stake entirely if your horse doesn’t run.
Ante-post markets are particularly active for the headline Group 1 races: the Ascot Gold Cup, Prince of Wales’s Stakes, Coronation Stakes, and Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes. The biggest stables (Aidan O’Brien, John & Thady Gosden, Charlie Appleby, William Haggas) typically signal their Royal Ascot intentions weeks in advance, making ante-post research worthwhile.
Some bookmakers offer Non-Runner No Bet (NRNB) on selected ante-post markets, which protects your stake if your horse doesn’t run. NRNB protection is particularly valuable for Royal Ascot ante-post bets.
Trainers to Follow at Royal Ascot
Trainer record is one of the strongest indicators of Royal Ascot success. The leading trainers at Royal Ascot are:
- Aidan O’Brien (Ballydoyle, Ireland) — record 96+ Royal Ascot winners
- John & Thady Gosden (Clarehaven, Newmarket)
- Charlie Appleby (Godolphin, Newmarket)
- William Haggas (Newmarket)
These four stables dominate the Royal Ascot winners enclosure year after year. When researching your bets, check which horses each leading stable is sending — the highest-profile entries from these yards usually run well.
Royal Ascot Enclosures Guide
Royal Ascot has four main enclosures, each with different access levels, dress codes and viewing experiences:
Royal Enclosure
The Royal Enclosure is by-invitation-only. Existing members can sponsor first-time guests. The dress code is strict (morning dress with top hat for men, formal day dress with hat for women). The Royal Enclosure offers the best viewing position at the racecourse and access to private gardens, restaurants and the parade ring.
Queen Anne Enclosure
The Queen Anne Enclosure is the main paid public enclosure with badge access. It offers stunning views of both the racecourse and the parade ring. Dress codes are smart (a jacket or smart trousers/dress) but less restrictive than the Royal Enclosure.
Village Enclosure
Opened in 2017, the Village Enclosure is the less formal area of Royal Ascot. Live music plays until 9pm, food and drink stalls dot the area, and the atmosphere is more relaxed. The Village Enclosure suits groups who want the Royal Ascot experience without the formality of the higher enclosures.
Windsor Enclosure (Picnic Zone)
The Windsor Enclosure is the picnic zone of Royal Ascot. Spread across the grass beyond the finishing post, it’s the most informal and family-friendly area. You won’t get the best view of the finishing line, but you can spread out, bring picnic blankets, and enjoy the atmosphere without crowds.
What Is the Royal Ascot Dress Code?
Royal Ascot has the strictest dress code of any major UK racing meeting. The specific code depends on which enclosure you’ve booked:
Royal Enclosure: Morning dress (black or grey morning coat, waistcoat, and top hat) for men. Formal day dress falling below the knee with a hat for women.
Queen Anne Enclosure: Suit (or jacket and trousers) with collared shirt and tie for men. Dress, skirt suit, or trouser suit with a hat or fascinator for women.
Village Enclosure: Smart attire required. No replica sports shirts, jeans, shorts or trainers.
Windsor Enclosure: No specific formal dress code, but smart casual attire is expected. No replica sports shirts.
Ascot Racecourse publishes detailed dress code guidance ahead of each year’s meeting. The general principle: the more formal the enclosure, the more formal the dress code.
How to Get to Royal Ascot 2026
Ascot Racecourse is located in Berkshire, approximately 50 miles west of central London. There are several practical travel options:
By car: Ascot is accessed via the M3 (Junction 3) or M4 (Junction 6). Car parks are available at the racecourse but pre-booking is strongly advised. Most car parks fill by mid-morning during Royal Ascot.
By train: Trains run from London Waterloo to Ascot Station in approximately 52 minutes. Ascot Station is a 7-minute walk from the racecourse entrance. South Western Railway runs frequent services throughout race week.
By coach: Coach services run from various London locations to Ascot during the festival. National Express and various tour operators offer Royal Ascot-specific packages.
By taxi/rideshare: Taxis drop off at designated Car Park 3 or Car Park 6, depending on your enclosure. Royal Enclosure ticket holders can also use Car Park 1.
By helicopter or private aircraft: Ascot has heliport access via the Flexjet Heliport close to the racecourse. Private jet arrivals can land at Biggin Hill, Farnborough, Luton, Oxford or Blackbushe airfields, with helicopter transfers to the racecourse.
How Many People Attend Royal Ascot?
Royal Ascot draws approximately 300,000 racegoers across the five-day festival — making it one of the largest sporting events in the UK calendar. Daily attendance varies by day, with Ladies’ Day (Thursday) and Saturday being the most heavily attended.
The total economic impact of Royal Ascot is estimated at over £100 million annually for the Berkshire region, with hotels, restaurants and transport services all benefiting from the influx of visitors.
Royal Ascot 2026 FAQs
When is Royal Ascot 2026?
Royal Ascot 2026 takes place from Tuesday 16 June to Saturday 20 June 2026 at Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire.
How many days is Royal Ascot?
Royal Ascot is a five-day Flat racing festival, running from Tuesday to Saturday each June.
What time does Royal Ascot start each day?
The first race each day at Royal Ascot starts at 2:30pm. Gates open at 10:30am, the Royal Procession is at 2pm, and the final race of each day is at 6:10pm.
How many races are at Royal Ascot 2026?
There are 35 races across the five days of Royal Ascot 2026 — seven races per day.
How many Group 1 races are at Royal Ascot?
Royal Ascot 2026 features 8 Group 1 races: Queen Anne Stakes, King Charles III Stakes, St James’s Palace Stakes, Prince of Wales’s Stakes, Ascot Gold Cup, Commonwealth Cup, Coronation Stakes and Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes.
What is the richest race at Royal Ascot 2026?
Both the Prince of Wales’s Stakes (Wednesday) and the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (Saturday) are the joint-richest races at Royal Ascot 2026 with £1 million in prize money each.
What channel is Royal Ascot 2026 on?
Royal Ascot 2026 is broadcast on ITV Racing across all five days, with all 35 races available to watch free-to-air. Sky Sports Racing also covers the festival with different presenters and additional analysis.
Is Royal Ascot free to watch on TV?
Yes. All 35 Royal Ascot 2026 races are broadcast on ITV Racing — a free-to-air channel — across the five days. No subscription is required.
What time is the Ascot Gold Cup 2026?
The 2026 Ascot Gold Cup takes place on Thursday 18 June (Ladies’ Day) at 4:20pm. It’s a Group 1 contest over 2 miles 4 furlongs with £700,000 in prize money.
Who won the 2025 Ascot Gold Cup?
Trawlerman won the 2025 Ascot Gold Cup, defending his crown as the previous year’s winner.
When is Royal Ascot Ladies’ Day 2026?
Royal Ascot Ladies’ Day in 2026 is Thursday 18 June. The day’s headline race is the Ascot Gold Cup at 4:20pm.
How do I get to Ascot Racecourse?
Ascot Racecourse is approximately 50 miles west of London. Trains from London Waterloo to Ascot Station take 52 minutes. The racecourse is a 7-minute walk from Ascot Station. By car, access is via the M3 (Junction 3) or M4 (Junction 6).
What’s the dress code for Royal Ascot?
Dress codes vary by enclosure. The Royal Enclosure requires morning dress for men and formal day dress with a hat for women. The Queen Anne Enclosure requires a suit for men and dress/suit with a hat or fascinator for women. The Village and Windsor Enclosures have smart-casual codes.
Can children attend Royal Ascot?
Yes. Children under 17 are admitted free to most enclosures when accompanied by a paying adult. The Windsor Enclosure picnic area is particularly family-friendly.
What is the prize fund at Royal Ascot 2026?
The total prize fund at Royal Ascot 2026 is approximately £10.645 million across 35 races.
How can I bet on Royal Ascot 2026?
You can bet on Royal Ascot via online bookmakers, betting apps, on-course bookmakers at the racecourse, or via the Tote pool betting. Most major UK bookmakers offer Best Odds Guaranteed, extra places promotions, and live streaming of all Royal Ascot races.
Which bookmaker is best for Royal Ascot betting?
Most major UK bookmakers offer competitive Royal Ascot coverage. bet365 has the lowest qualifying odds threshold on its welcome offer; Betfred offers Best Odds Guaranteed from 7am (the earliest); Ladbrokes and Coral have £5 entry-level welcome offers. See our free bets hub for full bookmaker comparisons.
Are there extra places offers at Royal Ascot?
Yes. Most major UK bookmakers run extra places promotions on selected Royal Ascot races. Typically each-way bets pay 5 or 6 places instead of the standard 3 or 4 on large-field handicaps. Specific bookmaker offers vary; check each bookmaker’s promotions page on the morning of each Royal Ascot day.
More Royal Ascot and Horse Racing Content
- Horse Racing Tips Hub — daily racing tips
- Lucky 15 Tips — Henry Gibbs’ daily Lucky 15 selections
- NAP of the Day — Henry Gibbs’ daily NAP
- Each-Way Bet of the Day — Henry Gibbs’ daily each-way pick
- Best Odds Guaranteed Guide — which bookmakers offer BOG
- Best Horse Racing Betting Sites — top UK horse racing bookmakers
- Free Bets Hub — UK bookmaker welcome offers
Get Set for Royal Ascot 2026
Five days, 35 races, 8 Group 1 contests and £10.645 million in prize money — Royal Ascot 2026 between Tuesday 16 June and Saturday 20 June is the highlight of the British Flat racing summer. ITV Racing broadcasts every race free-to-air; Sky Sports Racing provides additional coverage; betting apps stream every race for qualifying customers.
Whether you’re heading to Berkshire in person, watching from home, or betting from your phone, Royal Ascot 2026 promises elite-level Flat racing at its absolute peak.
Andy is the founder, owner and editor of thatsagoal.com, with over 20 years of experience in betting on sports. He has a keen eye for stats, particularly when looking at players to be carded, and these form a large part of the bet builder tips you see on the site. As well as creating daily football tips, Andy also keeps thatsagoal updated with all the best bookmaker promotions and offers for our readers.
