The 2026 Galway Races Summer Festival takes place from Monday, July 27 to Sunday, August 2, 2026, with seven days of top-class Flat and National Hunt racing at Ballybrit Racecourse, just outside Galway City.
One of Ireland’s biggest sporting and social events, the festival attracts more than 100,000 racegoers each year and features iconic races such as the Galway Plate and Galway Hurdle, alongside Ladies Day, live entertainment and a vibrant festival atmosphere.
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Galway Races 2026 Dates
A look at the schedule for this year’s Galway races.
| Date | Day | Feature Race |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, July 27 | Opening Day | Connacht Hotel (QR) Handicap |
| Tuesday, July 28 | Tribes Tuesday | Colm Quinn BMW Mile Handicap |
| Wednesday, July 29 | Galway Plate Day | Tote Galway Plate |
| Thursday, July 30 | Ladies Day | Guinness Galway Hurdle |
| Friday, July 31 | Friday’s Most Stylish | Guinness Handicap |
| Saturday, August 1 | The Weekender | Handicap Hurdle |
| Sunday, August 2 | Mad Hatter’s Family Fun Day | Ahonoora Handicap |
Where Are the Galway Races Held?
The Galway Races take place at Ballybrit Racecourse, located around 4km east of Galway City Centre. The course hosts both Flat and National Hunt racing and is renowned for its undulating track, which provides a unique test for horses and jockeys.
Biggest Days of the Festival
Wednesday – Galway Plate Day
The Tote Galway Plate is one of Ireland’s most prestigious National Hunt handicaps and traditionally attracts some of the country’s leading trainers and jockeys. It is widely regarded as one of the highlights of the summer jumps calendar.
Thursday – Ladies Day & Galway Hurdle
Thursday is arguably the busiest day of the week, combining the famous Guinness Galway Hurdle with the festival’s renowned Ladies Day, where thousands attend for both the racing and fashion competitions.
Galway Races 2026 FAQs
When are the Galway Races 2026?
The Galway Races Summer Festival runs from Monday, July 27 until Sunday, August 2, 2026.
How long do the Galway Races last?
The festival lasts seven days.
What is the biggest day at the Galway Races?
Many consider Thursday (Ladies Day and the Galway Hurdle) the biggest social occasion, while Wednesday’s Galway Plate is often regarded as the premier racing day.
Where are the Galway Races?
The festival takes place at Ballybrit Racecourse in Galway.
Is there racing every day?
Yes. Racing takes place on all seven days of the festival, with between seven and eight races scheduled each day.
What Channel are the Galway Races on?
Every race can be viewed live on Racing TV, while RTE and TG4 also have live coverage during the week. RTE will have five days of live broadcasting from Ballybrit. Two days of racing from this year’s Galway Races Summer Festival will also be broadcast live on TG4 on Friday 31st and Saturday 1st of August.
Horse Racing fans can also stream every race live on the BAR 1 Betting website & app.
How to bet on the Galway Races
The latest Irish Horse racing markets can be found on the BAR 1 Betting website & app.
