TL;DR
Royal Ascot 2026 runs across five days in mid-June at Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire. The Royal Procession opens each day at 2pm with the King and senior royals in carriages. Dress codes vary by enclosure.
Royal Ascot 2026 runs across five days in mid-June at Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire, opening with the Royal Procession at 2pm each day. The King and senior members of the royal family arrive in carriages, with the schedule published by Ascot Racecourse and the Royal Household ahead of the meeting.
The five-day schedule
Each day of Royal Ascot has its own racing programme, with eight Group races across the meeting and the Gold Cup on Ladies' Day, traditionally the Thursday. The Royal Procession opens proceedings at 2pm.
The opening day usually features the Queen Anne Stakes, the King's Stand Stakes and the St James's Palace Stakes. Saturday closes with the Diamond Jubilee Stakes and the Hardwicke Stakes.
How the Royal Procession works
Carriages travel from Windsor Castle through the Royal Park before entering the racecourse via the Royal Gates. Each procession typically includes four carriages carrying the King and senior royals.
The order of carriages and the specific royals attending each day are confirmed by the Royal Household closer to the meeting and announced through the Court Circular.
Dress codes by enclosure
The Royal Enclosure requires the strictest dress code, with morning suits for men and day dress with a hat for women. Hats must have a base of at least 10cm in diameter. The Queen Anne Enclosure permits a wider range, but still day dress and headwear for women.
The Village Enclosure and Windsor Enclosure operate with more relaxed dress codes but still expect formal day dress. The full Ascot dress code is published at ascot.com.
How to attend
Royal Enclosure admission is by sponsor. New applicants need a sponsor who has held a Royal Enclosure badge for the previous four years. Queen Anne Enclosure tickets are sold to the public directly through Ascot Racecourse.
Tickets typically go on sale several months before the meeting. The Royal Enclosure badge application window opens at the end of the previous year.
Wider ceremonial schedule
Royal Ascot is the centrepiece of the British flat racing season. Pageantry, fashion and ceremonial detail combine with racing, and the meeting attracts significant national and international media coverage.
Charitable receptions, owners' lunches and ceremonial elements such as the National Anthem before the first race all sit alongside the racing programme. The Ascot Racecourse Authority oversees the operational arrangements.
Key facts
- Royal Ascot runs five days in mid-June.
- Royal Procession opens at 2pm each day.
- Gold Cup on Ladies' Day, traditionally the Thursday.
- Royal Enclosure requires sponsor for new applicants.
- Strict dress codes in the Royal Enclosure.
FAQ
When is Royal Ascot 2026?
Mid-June across five days from Tuesday through Saturday at Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire. The exact dates are published at ascot.com and through the Royal Household.
How can I get into the Royal Enclosure?
New applicants need a sponsor who has held a Royal Enclosure badge for the previous four years. Applications open at the end of the year before the meeting.
What is the dress code?
Morning suits for men and day dress with a hat for women in the Royal Enclosure. Hats must have a base of at least 10cm. Other enclosures have more relaxed codes but still expect formal day dress.
Does the King attend every day?
The Royal Household confirms which royals attend each day closer to the meeting. The Court Circular records attendances after the event.
