Galway Races 2026

Galway Races Summer Festival 🏇

(27 July – 2 August 2026)

Ireland’s biggest and most famous racing festival is held in Galway during the last week of July every year and involves seven days of unrivalled action. The 2026 festival will run from Monday 27 July to Sunday 2 August. Each year sees attendances of over 100,000 at the Galway Races over the week long festival, and the town has a real buzz at night, with hangovers aplenty the following day. It is a joyous, fun-filled seven days where people might leave with a few less euros than they had when they arrived but they also leave with great new experiences, new friends and a time that will never be forgotten.

2026 Galway Racing Schedule 📆

Race dates, times & sponsors liable to change.

Monday 27th July 2026
Connacht Hotel (Q.R.) Handicap
⏰ First Race: 17.10 | Last Race: 20.20 | Gates Open: 14.30 | Races: 7

Tuesday 27th July 2026
Colm Quinn BMW Mile Handicap
⏰ First Race: 17.10 | Last Race: 20.20 | Gates Open: 14.30 | Races: 7

Wednesday 29th July 2026
Tote.com Galway Plate
⏰ First Race: 17.10 | Last Race: 20.20 | Gates Open: 14.30 | Races: 7

Thursday 30th July 2026
Ladies Day – Guinness Galway Hurdle Handicap
⏰ First Race: 14.10 | Last Race: 18.10 | Gates Open: 11.15 | Races: 8

Friday 31st July 2026
Friday’s Fair Lady – Guinness Handicap
⏰ First Race: 17.00 | Last Race: 20.40 | Gates Open: 14.15 | Races: 8

Saturday 1st August 2026
Galway Shopping Centre Handicap Hurdle
⏰ First Race: 14.00 | Last Race: 17.55 | Gates Open: 11.30 | Races: 8

Sunday 2nd August 2026
Family Day & Mad Hatters Day – Irish Stallion Farms EBF “Ahonoora” Handicap
⏰ First Race: 14.00 | Last Race: 17.40 | Gates Open: 11.30 | Races: 8

Ballybritt Racecourse map

© galwayraces.com

The Racing Festival 🐴

There are 49 races planned for the 2026 Galway Races Festival schedule, with betting held at the Galway Festival over its seven day duration and the total Prize money on offer is in excess of €2 million. The Blue Riband race is the famous Galway Plate, a race so central to the history of Galway races. It takes place on Wednesday, the third day of the meeting and it will be the race that attracts by far the most media attention and certainly much of the Galway Festival betting. Galway Festival Ladies Day is on the fourth day of the Festival and it is one of the most colourful.

2026 Live Music at the Galway Races 🎶

The Galway Races Summer Festival gallops into action with an electrifying line-up of live music and entertainment. The Galway Tenors open the show, followed by DJ DOC, Rhythm Train DJ, and headline act Spring Break. The week boasts a stellar mix, including The Gamblers, The Conquerors, Jimmy & Claudia Buckley, and high-energy sets from Sum Craic and The Bentley Boys. Saturday stars Dakota, and Family Fun Day features DJ Ronan Lardner and Lackagh Comhaltas.

What to expect at the Galway Races 🐎

Book tickets

Buy your tickets online at the Galway Races website below.
Galway Races Tickets