The British
Horseracing Authority (BHA) has published its 2026 fixture list, backed by a
strategic investment plan to strengthen the sport across Britain. The fixture
list reflects how the BHA and industry partners are responding to changing fan
behaviour, commercial pressures and today's available markets.
For 2026,
the focus is on quality over quantity. Instead of expanding the calendar, the BHA
is looking to improve sustainability, competitiveness and long-term health.
A stable
fixture list
There will
be 1,458 fixtures across Britain in 2026 – just two
fewer than in 2025. This is roughly in line with recent years and reflects a
deliberate choice not to over-expand while horse supply remains under pressure.
The fixtures
cover Flat turf, all-weather and jump racing, providing a balanced year-round
programme for owners, trainers and racegoers. The BHA has been clear that
stability matters more than meaningless growth when it comes to protecting the
sport's future.
More
prize money where it's needed
The 2026 strategy includes a £77.1 million funding
package, mostly through the Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB). Within that,
there's an extra £4.4 million in prize money going to the areas where owners
have seen the weakest returns.
Much of this
will support maiden, novice, and developmental races on the Flat and over
jumps. Minimum prize money for these races is going up, which should help
improve the economics of owning and training horses at entry level.
Protecting
Britain's top-level races
While
grassroots racing gets much of the attention, the BHA's also backing Britain's
biggest races. Part of the 2026 plan includes extra funding for Pattern and
Black Type races, helping ensure Britain stays competitive on the global stage.
Competition
from Ireland, France, and Australia has grown steadily, both in prize money and
the overall appeal of their top meetings. Without continued investment, there's
a risk Britain could lose elite horses and international runners to
better-funded programmes abroad.
Strengthening
rewards at the top end should help protect the prestige of Britain's flagship
races.
Practical
changes to race scheduling
The 2026
plan isn't just about money. There are practical changes too, meant to make
life easier for the people running the sport day to day.
One of the
most noticeable shifts is a trial of earlier finishing times at certain
floodlit meetings, particularly early in the year. This should help jockeys,
stable staff, and racecourse teams, many of whom have raised concerns about
consistently late nights and the knock-on effects for travel, recovery, and
work–life balance.
2026
fixtures
Spring
jump highlights
The Cheltenham Festival in March is still the centrepiece of
the jumps season, with four days of championship racing from the 10th to the
13th. It's followed by the Grand National Festival at Aintree (9th–11th April),
headlined by the world's most famous steeplechase and a strong undercard of
Grade 1 races.
The Flat
season and Classics
The Flat
calendar picks up momentum in May with the 1000 and 2000 Guineas at
Newmarket, traditionally the first real test of three-year-old talent. Early
June brings the Derby and Oaks at Epsom, still the defining targets for owners,
trainers and breeders.
Later in June, Royal Ascot delivers five days of top-class racing and global attention. It combines elite competition with unmatched spectacle and remains one of Britain's strongest draws for international runners.
Summer
and autumn showpieces
The summer
peaks with Glorious Goodwood in late July and early August, featuring races
like the Sussex Stakes, before attention turns to Doncaster in September for
the St Leger – the final Classic of the season.
The elite
Flat campaign wraps up in October with British Champions Day at Ascot, bringing
together the season's leading horses for a single, high-profile finale.
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