MAIN Recreation Sports Horse Racing Ascot Races 2025

Situated about 45 minutes from London is an annual display of royal pageantry and high stakes horse racing known as Ascot.

More famously, it's a convenient excuse to dress up, put on outrageous hats for the ladies and high top hats for the gents, and rub shoulders with the upper crust at one of THE events of the British summer social calendar.

All the races and festivities take place at the Ascot Racecourse from Tuesday, June 17 through Saturday, June 21.

In the US, watch for live television coverage provided by NBC with major coverage on its livestreaming service Peacock.

Ascot Week 2025 USA television schedule

As part of a multi-year deal, US broadcaster NBC traditionally provides coverage each day from Tuesday to Saturday for a total of almost 30 hours of programming.

The schedule will include the Queen Anne Stakes and King Charles III Stakes, held this year on Tuesday, June 17, the Prince of Wales’s Stakes on Wednesday, June 18, and the big one - the Gold Cup - on Thursday, June 19.

Since the schedule doesn't change much from year to year, check out the tentative air times just up ahead, and keep it here for the official schedule announced in June:

In the UK, Ascot is televised live on Channel 4 and Racing UK TV, and in Australia on Channel 7.

All about Ascot

The history of the Royal Ascot races date back to the days of Queen Anne, when the first royal Ascot racecourse was laid out by decree for "horses to gallop at a stretch." This first ever royal race took place on Saturday, August 11, 1711 as jockeys vied for The Queen’s Plate - worth a staggering £100.

Today, the royal romp continues as King Charles and her family are scheduled to attend in the grand tradition of horse-loving royals..

Visitors to London can watch the royal family leave Windsor Castle during the festive week by standing in the Long Walk (access via Park Street) at approximately 1:30 pm each day. Catch a glimpse as the fleet of cars carrying the Royals emerge from the castle on their way to Ascot..

Plan to attend this year? Remember that race tickets go fast, not only for the UK's hottest horse racing event, but for London and Windsor area hotel bookings, as well.

At Ascot, group and priority admission tickets are on sale at the gate in early autumn of the previous year. General admission tickets later open to the public in November.

Getting to Ascot

Watch for advertisements or check the Internet for travel packages during Ascot Week providing transportation to and from the racecourse each day by car, minibus or private coach. For independent travelers, here are directions by car or train:

By car - From London, take M5 Junction 6 to A332 Windsor by-pass and follow the signs to Ascot.

By train - South West Trains runs regularly scheduled service to Ascot from Reading, Guildford and London Waterloo. The average travel time is 27 minutes from Reading and 52 minutes from London's Waterloo station.

also see in Travel -> London Underground Tube Maps & Directions | Wimbledon Tennis

Ascot customs & traditions

For the lucky few who make it into the Royal Enclosure, Ascot dress and conduct codes are strictly enforced during Ascot Week. These include morning coats and top hats for the gentlemen, and hats and day dresses for the ladies (no bare shoulders or midriffs, please.)

Despite the royal connections, the gathering is perhaps more known for designer outfits and spectacular hats including rabid UK press coverage of who wore what on Ladies Day.

Also noteworthy are the Ascot "tailgate" picnics in the parking area, which have nothing to do with sandwiches or barbecue - but more likely champagne and lobster consumed from the back of a limo.

More about Ascot Week around the Web:

On the Web, discover more history and hats, pictures, results & updates on the annual rite of conspicuous hobnobbing, heraldry & horse racing during Ascot Week ....
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Ascot 2025 - The official site of the horse racing track with current news & information, pictures, feature stories, ticket info & complete fixture schedule.

Royal Ascot - Featuring a secret route map to the Ascot racecourse, with driving directions to help avoid the traditional traffic jams on race days - plus lots of interesting pictures, history and factoids, weather info and recommended nearby hotels.

Royal Ascot horse racing event photo guide - Take the virtual tour, courtesy of UKStudentLife.com with a full picture gallery of racing action, Ascot fashions, and the royal family in attendance...