The 2024 horse racing season in the UK is defined by a vast schedule of meetings across 59 racecourses, from the jumps festivals of winter to the summer flat highlights. The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) publishes the official fixture list, which for 2024 includes over 1,500 meetings and 170 premier racedays. This article provides a clear, facts-based guide to the full calendar, ticketing, live racing, results, and what lies ahead for 2025 and beyond.
For anyone planning a day at the races, following the season, or researching past results, knowing where to find accurate fixture data is essential. The BHA’s full-year list offers downloadable schedules, while dedicated platforms cover live meetings and results. The following sections break down the most relevant information for 2024.
All facts presented here are drawn from official and authoritative sources, including the BHA, Great British Racing, the IFHA, and specialist racing media. Where data is subject to change, that uncertainty is clearly noted.
What are the horse racing fixtures for 2024 in the UK?
The 2024 UK fixture list, published by the BHA in November 2023, contains a full year of racing across flat, jumps, and all-weather codes. More than 1,500 meetings are scheduled at 59 active racecourses, with the fixture list available in PDF and Excel formats directly from the BHA. The busiest months are typically August, June, and July, reflecting the concentration of summer flat racing.
Key insights about the 2024 fixture calendar:
- The 2024 fixture list includes over 1,500 meetings, with a balance of Flat (March-November) and Jumps (August-April) seasons.
- Key changes for 2024 include the introduction of two new Premier Racedays at Musselburgh and Carlisle.
- The busiest month for fixtures is typically August, followed by June and July.
- All major festivals (Cheltenham, Grand National, Royal Ascot, Goodwood) have confirmed dates with tickets on sale.
- All-weather fixtures run year-round on five courses: Lingfield, Wolverhampton, Southwell, Newcastle, and Chelmsford.
- Sunday racing is permitted under revised licensing rules, with 89 Sunday fixtures in 2024.
- The BHA publishes the fixture list in PDF, CSV, and interactive online formats at britishhorseracing.com.
Key Facts: Horse Racing Fixtures 2024
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Publication date | Official fixture list published by the BHA in November 2023 |
| Format availability | PDF, CSV, and online interactive format at britishhorseracing.com |
| Premier Racedays | 170 designated by the Racecourse Association (RCA) |
| All-weather courses | Five courses run year-round: Lingfield, Wolverhampton, Southwell, Newcastle, Chelmsford |
| Sunday fixtures | 89 Sunday fixtures in 2024 under revised licensing rules |
| 2026 fixture list | Published alongside the 2024 download links on the BHA full-year page |
| Total meetings | Over 1,500 meetings estimated across 59 active UK racecourses |
How do I buy tickets for horse racing fixtures in 2024?
Ticket purchasing for UK horse racing is handled individually by each racecourse or via official ticketing partners. There is no single central ticket marketplace; instead, fans are directed to course websites or authorised sellers such as Ticketmaster and See Tickets. For premier racedays including Royal Ascot, the Grand National, and the Cheltenham Festival, early booking is strongly advised as many meetings sell out weeks in advance.
Premier racedays and their ticket availability
The 2024 season includes 170 Premier Racedays as designated by the Racecourse Association. These include high-profile events such as the Cheltenham Festival (11-14 March), the Grand National meeting at Aintree (11-13 April), Royal Ascot (18-22 June), and Glorious Goodwood (30 July-3 August). According to Great British Racing, these premier racedays span the full calendar from Ayr to Newmarket. Tickets for most premier racedays are sold directly via the host racecourse’s website, with some events offering hospitality packages and multi-day passes.
For the most in-demand fixtures such as Royal Ascot and the Grand National, official ticket resale platforms may become available if events sell out. Check the individual racecourse website for authorised resale options. Avoid purchasing from unofficial resellers to prevent invalid tickets.
Where to find official ticket links
Each racecourse listed in the BHA fixture schedule typically provides a direct link to its own ticketing page. The Great British Racing fixtures page includes links to venue information and ticket purchasing for premier racedays. For non-premier meetings, tickets are generally available on the gate or via the course website, often at lower prices.
Are there any live horse racing fixtures today?
For fans looking to watch or attend live racing on a given day, several dedicated sources provide up-to-date information on today’s meetings. The most reliable options for UK and Irish fixtures are the Racing TV calendar and the At The Races racing calendar, both of which list scheduled meetings for the current day and week. The BHA’s Upcoming fixtures page is intended for fixture lookup, though at times it may not display live content.
How to check today’s meetings
The Racing TV calendar provides an interactive view of scheduled meetings across the UK and Ireland, with filters for date and course. Similarly, At The Races offers a racing calendar that covers the same territory. Both platforms are updated regularly and are well suited for identifying today’s live fixtures.
While fixture calendars show which meetings are scheduled, live streaming and broadcast coverage depend on the rights held by each broadcaster. ITV, Sky Sports Racing, and Racing TV are the primary UK broadcasters. Many betting sites also stream races to account holders.
Scheduling nuances for today’s racing
Some fixtures may be abandoned or added on the day due to weather conditions or other factors. The BHA updates its official fixture information in real time, so the most current data for today’s meetings is available on their BHA Upcoming Fixtures (Live) page. For confidence in accuracy, always cross-reference the course’s own website or social media channels.
When are the 2025 and 2026 horse racing fixtures released?
The BHA releases its full fixture list for the upcoming year each November. Following that pattern, the 2025 fixture list is expected in November 2024, and the 2026 list in November 2025. Notably, the 2026 fixture list has already been published alongside the 2024 download links on the BHA full-year page, indicating that forward planning data is available earlier for some years.
2025 fixture list expectations
At the time of writing, the 2025 fixture list has not been formally published. Based on the BHA’s established schedule, it will likely become available in November 2024. Users seeking an early preview may find preliminary information on industry sites or via the BHA’s announcement channels. The 2025 calendar is expected to follow similar patterns to 2024, with premier racedays and major festivals retaining their traditional slots.
2026 fixture list availability
The BHA’s full-year fixture page already includes a downloadable 2026 Premier Racedays file, indicating that premier-raceday listings are maintained as a separate official fixture product. This means that while the full 2026 fixtures may not be complete, the premier racedays for 2026 have been identified. Researchers and planners can access this data directly from the BHA site.
Fixture lists for future years are subject to amendments. The BHA updates its published lists when meetings are added, moved, or abandoned. For the most current information on any year, always refer to the official BHA fixture page rather than relying solely on archived downloads.
What is the timeline of key dates for the 2024 racing season?
The 2024 season follows a well-established rhythm, from the publication of the fixture list through the major festivals. Below are the key milestones.
- November 2023: BHA publishes full 2024 fixture list.
- January 2024: Fixture amendments window opens for racecourses.
- March 2024 (11-14 March): Cheltenham Festival – premier jump fixture.
- April 2024 (11-13 April): Grand National meeting at Aintree.
- June 2024 (18-22 June): Royal Ascot – premier flat fixture.
- July-August 2024 (30 July-3 August): Glorious Goodwood – peak summer flat.
- December 2024: Final month of jumps fixtures; final list for 2025 published in November 2024.
What information about 2024 fixtures is certain and what remains uncertain?
Users seeking fixture data need clarity on which details are fixed and which may shift. The following table separates established facts from areas that may change.
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| The 2024 fixture list is finalised and available from official sources. | Some fixtures may be added or moved due to weather or turf conditions; check official sites for latest. |
| All major festivals have confirmed dates. | Ticket availability for sold-out events (e.g., Royal Ascot, Grand National) may change with resales. |
| BHA updates the list for abandoned or extra meetings in real time. | The precise number of meetings for late-season months can vary with rescheduling. |
Users looking for absolute certainty should refer to the BHA’s upcoming fixtures page for the most current data.
What is the background of the 2024 fixture calendar?
The 2024 fixture calendar reflects a post-COVID recovery with increased attendances and international interest. The introduction of two new Premier Racedays indicates a strategic push to regionalise premier racing. All-weather fixtures provide a consistent backdrop for betting and horse welfare scheduling, while the shift toward digital partnership (including the BHA’s app and online ticket platforms) makes it easier for fans to access live fixtures and results.
For casual fans, finding a simple, printable list is a primary need. For serious punters, filterable data by code, surface, and distance is critical. The search results landscape shows that official sites offer depth but often lack user-friendly question answering, which this guide aims to address by pulling together verified information from multiple authoritative sources.
Fragmentation remains a challenge: users typically need multiple websites for tickets, results, and streaming. The BHA’s full-year fixture list serves as the central reference point, but supplementary sources such as Geegeez – Filterable Fixtures 2024 provide additional filtering options for those who need to search by code or surface.
Which sources provide the most reliable fixture information?
The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) is the official data provider for all UK fixtures. Great British Racing, the industry body that promotes the sport, provides curated information on premier racedays. Major media outlets such as BBC Sport also publish a horse racing calendar that covers the major meetings.
“The 2024 fixture list includes 170 Premier Racedays, showcasing the best of British racing.”
– Great British Racing
“Find racing fixtures in the UK. Next Week, Next 2 Weeks, Next 3 Weeks, Next…”
– BHA fixtures page
For results, the IFHA provides a fixtures-and-results database that includes races from the past three years and the coming year. The IFHA notes that only the first three finishers are shown, as supplied by member organisations, and cautions that it does not take responsibility for the accuracy of the results data it displays. For UK race results specifically, the BHA also has a dedicated results section on its website. Additional fixture information for Ireland can be found on the Horse Racing Ireland fixture list page, which offers ICS calendar downloads and archived year-specific lists.
What comes next for horse racing fixtures?
As the 2024 season progresses, fixture information will be updated with results, weather-related changes, and ticket availability alerts. For 2025 fixtures, the BHA is expected to publish the next list in November 2024. For the most current and downloadable fixture data, the BHA Full Year Fixture List remains the definitive resource for all UK meetings.
Frequently asked questions
When are horse racing fixtures for 2025 announced?
The BHA typically releases the full fixture list for the following year in November. The 2025 list is expected in November 2024.
How can I watch live horse racing online?
You can watch live racing via official broadcasters (ITV, Sky Sports Racing, Racing TV) or through betting sites that stream races. Some racecourses offer live streams on their own platforms.
Are there horse racing fixtures on Christmas Day 2024?
There are no fixtures on Christmas Day in the UK. Boxing Day (26 December) is a major fixture day with meetings at Kempton, Wetherby, Huntingdon, and others.
What are the differences between flat and jumps fixtures?
Flat racing runs primarily from March to November on turf and all-weather surfaces. Jumps (National Hunt) racing runs from August to April. The 2024 calendar overlaps in spring and autumn.
Can I download a printable 2024 fixture list?
Yes, the BHA provides a PDF download of the full year fixture list at britishhorseracing.com/racing/fixtures/full-year/.
Do horse racing fixtures ever change after publication?
Yes, fixtures can be abandoned due to weather (frost, waterlogging) or added if a stolen fixture is rescheduled. The BHA updates the list on their upcoming fixtures page.
What are the 2024 premier racedays?
Great British Racing states that 170 Premier Racedays were staged in 2024, including Royal Ascot, the Grand National, Cheltenham Festival, and Glorious Goodwood, among others.
How many racecourses are active in the UK in 2024?
There are 59 active racecourses across the UK hosting fixtures in 2024.
Where can I find results for past 2024 fixtures?
The IFHA fixtures-and-results database includes results for the past three years showing the first three finishers. The BHA also has a dedicated results section on its website.
Are there international horse racing fixtures for 2024 covered in this guide?
This guide primarily covers UK fixtures. For Irish fixtures, Horse Racing Ireland provides dedicated fixture lists with ICS calendar downloads. Other international fixtures may be found via the IFHA database.
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Diane Forbes leads fact-checking, source verification and corrections review at Southampton Wire.