Sky Bet Ebor Festival 2026: Everything You Need to Know
Every August, York Racecourse comes alive for the Sky Bet Ebor Festival, bringing four days of top-class flat racing, fashion, hospitality and a lively raceday atmosphere to the Knavesmire.
The 2026 fixture runs from Wednesday 19 August to Saturday 22 August, with a Group 1 race scheduled on each day.
For visitors, there is more to plan than simply choosing which races to watch. Arrival times, transport, the daily schedule and the individual feature races can all make a difference to your experience.
Here is what you need to know about the 2026 Sky Bet Ebor Festival, whether you are attending York Racecourse or following the meeting from home.
When Is The Sky Bet Ebor Festival at York?
The Sky Bet Ebor Festival 2026 takes place from Wednesday 19 August to Saturday 22 August 2026 at York Racecourse. The dates are confirmed by the racecourse, rather than being provisional.
The 2026 programme is particularly notable because there is a Group 1 contest on every day of the festival.
The Juddmonte International is worth £1.5 million, making it the richest race ever staged at York, while the overall prize-money available across the four-day meeting is just shy of £7.5 million.
Where Is Ebor Festival Held?
The festival is held at York Racecourse on the Knavesmire, around a mile from York city centre. The racecourse postcode is YO23 1EX, and York station is also approximately a mile from the track.
York is well connected by rail, with direct services from cities including London, Edinburgh, Manchester and Birmingham. On racedays, a shuttle bus operates between York railway station and the racecourse. The racecourse currently lists the shuttle fare as £4 return or £2.50 single.
Visitors travelling by car are advised to follow the racecourse’s raceday signage rather than relying solely on satellite navigation, as traffic restrictions and road closures can be introduced around the course. Free car parking is available at the racecourse, subject to the racecourse’s arrangements for the particular meeting.
For those staying in the city centre, walking is also an option: the racecourse says the marked raceday walking route back into the city is just over a mile.
What Time Does Ebor Festival Start?
For the 2026 Sky Bet Ebor Festival, gates open at 11:00am and the first race is scheduled for 1:50pm on all four days. The final race is scheduled for 5:20pm.
The seven-race cards are spaced at roughly 35-minute intervals. On Wednesday, for example, the races are scheduled from 1:50pm through to 5:20pm, with the Juddmonte International at 3:35pm.
The same 1:50pm start applies across Thursday, Friday and Saturday, although the feature race changes each day. On Thursday the Yorkshire Oaks is scheduled for 3:35pm, the Nunthorpe Stakes takes place at 3:35pm on Friday, and the Sky Bet Ebor is scheduled for 3:35pm on Saturday.
These published times are the official 2026 schedule, but race timings can occasionally be subject to change, so visitors should check the latest racecard and racecourse information before travelling.
How Many Days Is York Ebor Festival?
The York Ebor Festival is a four-day meeting, running from Wednesday through Saturday. Each day has a distinct identity and a major race at its centre.
Wednesday opens the festival with the Juddmonte International, a £1.5 million Group 1 over 1 mile and 2 furlongs. Thursday is Yorkshire Oaks Day and Ladies Day, with the £600,000 Group 1 Yorkshire Oaks as its feature race.
Friday focuses on sprinting, with the £600,000 Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes over five furlongs. Saturday brings the festival to its traditional climax with the Sky Bet Ebor, alongside the newly upgraded Group 1 Sky Bet City of York Stakes.
That structure means visitors can attend one day for a particular feature race or experience the whole four-day festival.
How Many Races Are at York Ebor Festival?
There are 28 races across the four days, with seven races scheduled each day. The official 2026 order of running confirms seven races on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
The programme features a mixture of Group 1, Group 2, Group 3, Listed, Heritage Handicap and other handicap and maiden contests.
The 2026 Ebor itself is worth £500,000 and is run over 1 mile and 6 furlongs. The Sky Bet City of York Stakes, meanwhile, has been upgraded to Group 1 for 2026, giving Saturday two top-level races.
With seven races on each card, the meeting offers a full afternoon of racing each day, while the Group 1 contests provide the major focal points for spectators and television audiences.
Bet on York Ebor Festival at Bet442
Bet442 currently offers sports betting, including horse-racing markets, to eligible UK customers. Bet442 provides coverage of the festival with race listings, odds and information about runners, trainers and jockeys.
If you choose to bet on the Ebor Festival, check the available markets, odds and applicable terms before placing a wager.
Bet442 is licenced and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), ensuring a safe and secure betting experience.
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**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.