The Royal Ascot Festival stands as one of the most prestigious and globally recognised meetings in the flat racing calendar, bringing together elite sport, royal tradition, and high society across five spectacular days at Ascot Racecourse.
In 2026, Royal Ascot runs from Tuesday, 16 June through to Saturday, 20 June, delivering 35 races, including 8 Group 1 contests, and showcasing the very best horses, trainers, and jockeys from Britain, Ireland, and around the world.
Whether you are tracking the action for betting purposes, following the big races, or simply keeping up with one of the summer’s biggest sporting events, here is your complete guide to every race, every day, including key timings and broadcast details.
Tuesday 16 June 2026 – Opening Day
Royal Ascot begins in spectacular fashion with three Group 1 races, including the prestigious Queen Anne Stakes, St James’s Palace Stakes and the iconic sprint, the King Charles III Stakes.
Gates typically open around 10:30am, with the first race scheduled for 2:30pm.
Tuesday Race Schedule
| Time | Race Name |
|---|---|
| 2:30pm | Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1) |
| 3:05pm | Coventry Stakes (Group 2) |
| 3:40pm | King Charles III Stakes (Group 1) |
| 4:20pm | St James’s Palace Stakes (Group 1) |
| 5:00pm | Ascot Stakes (Handicap) |
| 5:35pm | Wolferton Stakes (Listed) |
| 6:10pm | Copper Horse Stakes (Handicap) |
14:30 – Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1)
The meeting opens with a straight-mile Group 1 for older horses, often featuring elite milers and international challengers. It sets the tone for the week with a high-class, tactical contest.
15:05 – Coventry Stakes (Group 2)
One of the premier two-year-old races of the season, the Coventry regularly produces future Group 1 stars and Classic contenders.
15:40 – King Charles III Stakes (Group 1)
Formerly the King’s Stand Stakes, this five-furlong sprint is one of the fastest races of the week, attracting top sprinters from around the globe.
16:20 – St James’s Palace Stakes (Group 1)
A key clash of Classic generation milers, often featuring runners from the 2000 Guineas, Irish Guineas, and French equivalents.
17:00 – Ascot Stakes (Handicap)
A staying handicap over 2m4f, often dominated by National Hunt-trained runners stepping onto the Flat.
17:35 – Wolferton Stakes (Listed)
A competitive Listed contest over 1m2f for older horses, frequently featuring Group performers just below top level.
18:10 – Copper Horse Stakes (Handicap)
A staying handicap that closes the opening day, typically featuring progressive middle-distance runners.
Wednesday 17 June 2026 – Prince of Wales’s Day
Day Two at Royal Ascot is headlined by the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, one of the premier middle-distance races of the season.
Wednesday Race Schedule
| Time | Race Name |
|---|---|
| 2:30pm | Queen Mary Stakes (Group 2) |
| 3:05pm | Queen’s Vase (Group 2) |
| 3:40pm | Duke of Cambridge Stakes (Group 2) |
| 4:20pm | Prince of Wales’s Stakes (Group 1) |
| 5:00pm | Royal Hunt Cup (Handicap) |
| 5:35pm | Kensington Palace Stakes (Handicap) |
| 6:10pm | Windsor Castle Stakes (Listed) |
Highlights include the Royal Hunt Cup, one of the most competitive handicaps of the entire week, often featuring a maximum field and strong betting interest.
Thursday 18 June 2026 – Ladies’ Day (Gold Cup Day)
Thursday is synonymous with style and stamina, with the Gold Cup taking centre stage as the premier staying race in Britain.
Thursday Race Schedule
| Time | Race Name |
|---|---|
| 2:30pm | Chesham Stakes (Listed) |
| 3:05pm | King George V Stakes (Handicap) |
| 3:40pm | Ribblesdale Stakes (Group 2) |
| 4:15pm | Gold Cup (Group 1) |
| 4:50pm | Britannia Stakes (Handicap) |
| 5:35pm | Hampton Court Stakes (Group 3) |
| 6:10pm | Buckingham Palace Stakes (Handicap) |
16:20 – Gold Cup (Group 1)
Run over 2m4f, the Gold Cup is the ultimate test of stamina on the Flat. It often features repeat contenders and staying legends, with huge prestige attached to victory.
Friday 19 June 2026 – Commonwealth Cup Day
Friday focuses on the sprinting division, highlighted by the Commonwealth Cup for three-year-olds.
Friday Race Schedule
| Time | Race Name |
|---|---|
| 2:30pm | Albany Stakes (Group 3) |
| 3:05pm | Commonwealth Cup (Group 1) |
| 3:40pm | Duke of Edinburgh Stakes (Handicap) |
| 4:20pm | Coronation Stakes (Group 1) |
| 5:00pm | Sandringham Stakes (Handicap) |
| 5:35pm | King Edward VII Stakes (Group 2) |
| 6:10pm | Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes (Handicap) |
The Coronation Stakes adds further Group 1 quality, featuring top three-year-old fillies over the mile.
Saturday 20 June 2026 – Diamond Jubilee Day
The final day brings the meeting to a close with another Group 1 sprint and a packed supporting card.
Saturday Race Schedule
| Time | Race Name |
|---|---|
| 2:30pm | Norfolk Stakes (Group 2) |
| 3:05pm | Hardwicke Stakes (Group 2) |
| 3:40pm | Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (Group 1) |
| 4:20pm | Jersey Stakes (Group 3) |
| 5:00pm | Wokingham Stakes (Handicap) |
| 5:35pm | Golden Gates Stakes (Handicap) |
| 6:10pm | Queen Alexandra Stakes (Conditions) |
16:20 – Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (Group 1)
A six-furlong sprint championship that regularly features the best sprinters from Europe and beyond, providing a fitting Group 1 finale to the meeting.
How to Watch Royal Ascot 2026
Coverage of Royal Ascot remains extensive across UK television and global platforms.
ITV1 broadcasts live racing each day, typically from early afternoon through to 6:00pm and ITV Racing’s Opening Show airs daily on ITV4 with previews and analysis.
Racing TV shows every race live, including full coverage beyond ITV’s window with streaming available via ITVX and Racing TV apps.
BBC Radio 5 Live provides live commentary and updates.
International coverage is widely available, with World Pool betting further enhancing global engagement across Europe, Asia, and beyond.
Five Days of World-Class Racing
Royal Ascot 2026 delivers five days of elite racing, 35 races, and 8 Group 1 contests, combining speed, stamina, and top-level competition across every division.
From the explosive sprints of the King Charles III and Jubilee Stakes to the stamina test of the Gold Cup, and from two-year-old showcases like the Coventry to fiercely competitive handicaps like the Royal Hunt Cup, every race contributes to one of the most iconic weeks in sport.
Whether you are attending in person, watching from home, or following for betting opportunities, Royal Ascot remains a cornerstone of the British racing calendar.
BETFRED
