When is the 2026 Ebor Festival? Everything to know about York's spectacular summer meeting

With Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood now behind us, the last of the big three summer flat festivals arrives later in August. York is one of the most popular racecourses to its patrons, with great views and entertainment across the historic Knavesmire.

The quality of the racing is at least as strong as those aforementioned meetings too. We preview the festival, guiding you through key dates and times, as well as previewing the TV schedule and best free bet offers to use at York’s Ebor meeting below.

York Ebor Festival 2026 schedule

Below is the full schedule for the York Ebor meeting, with key races and exact times highlighted.

Wednesday 19 August

• 1.50pm – Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool Stakes
• 2.25pm – Tattersalls Acomb Stakes (Group 3)
• 3.00pm – Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes (Group 2)
• 3.35pm – Juddmonte International Stakes (Group 1)
• 4.10pm – Sky Bet Stayers Stakes
• 4.45pm – IRE Incentive, It Pays To Buy Irish Stakes
• 5.20pm – Sky Bet Nursery Handicap

Thursday 20 August

• 1.50pm – Sky Bet Lowther Stakes (Group 2)
• 2.25pm – Harry’s Half Million by Goffs Stakes
• 3.00pm – Sir Kevin Sinfield 7 in 7 Grand Finale Stakes
• 3.35pm – Yorkshire Oaks (Group 1)
• 4.10pm – British EBF and Sir Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes (Listed)
• 4.45pm – Mews Hotel Ossett ebfstallions Nursery Handicap
• 5.20pm – British EBF Fillies’ Handicap

Friday 21 August

• 1.50pm – Sky Bet Mile Stakes
• 2.25pm – Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup (Group 2)
• 3.00pm – Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes (Group 2)
• 3.35pm – The Coolmore City Of Troy Nunthorpe Stakes (Group 1)
• 4.10pm – Assured Data Protection Stakes
• 4.45pm – British Stallion Studs EBF Convivial Maiden Stakes
• 5.20pm – Sky Bet EBF Fillies Stakes

Saturday 22 August

• 1.50pm – Sky Bet Strensall Stakes
• 2.25pm – Sky Bet Melrose Stakes
• 3.00pm – Sky Bet City Of York Stakes (Group 1)
• 3.35pm – Sky Bet Ebor
• 4.10pm – Sky Bet Constantine Stakes
• 4.45pm – Julia Graves Roses Stakes (Listed)
• 5.20pm – Sky Bet Finale Stakes

What time does the York Ebor Festival start?

Doors will open at 11am on each day of the Sky Bet Ebor meeting at York. The opening race each day is scheduled to start at 1.50pm, with uniform race times across the four days of the festival. The feature race each day is at 3.35pm, with the fourth and final day seeing two feature races at 3pm (City Of York Stakes) and 3.35pm (The Ebor). Gates will close in the evening after the conclusion of the final races at 5.20pm.

How can I watch the 2026 York Ebor meeting?

The TV schedule is also consistent at York’s Ebor meeting. For those unable to be present on the Knavesmire during the four days, all 28 races will be broadcast on either ITV or Racing TV.

The first five races of each card will be live on ITV Racing. This means they can be viewed for free on terrestrial TV as Ed Chamberlin and the ITV team guide you through the action. For hose with a subscription, Racing TV will broadcast all 28 races live, crucially including the final two races each day that ITV do not have

If you have a bookmaker account, you may be able to watch those last two races with a funded betting account. Check your terms and conditions, as you may also have to place a bet in order to watch those races.

York Ebor 2026 Free Bets

Few racecourses are as capable of attracting strong fields as York. Across the four days, with seven races each, competition abounds, making it a superbly enjoyable meeting for punters.

As such, there are lots of opportunities to use free bet offers at the Ebor festival. Here are four new customer offers worth a look for those looking for some free bets in time for the opening race on Wednesday 19 August.