Frequently Asked Questions

Most tickets at Chelmsford City Racecourse are non-refundable and non-transferable, however due the current circumstances if you are unable to attend because of a positive PCR test we will offer you a refund.

Proof of the positive PCR test must be provided prior to the event. Alternatively, you can transfer the cost of your ticket to a future meeting.

Only guests with a positive PCR test within a group booking will receive a refund.

Please remember to follow the latest Government restrictions in place at the time.

Any person aged 11 or over will either be required to provide proof of full vaccination (with the second dose administered at least 14 days before the relevant visit) or an NHS negative lateral flow test registered result (no longer than 48 hours prior to the event). The racecourse will not accept actual lateral flow test sticks as proof.

For visitors aged under 18, only one dose is required as proof of full vaccination.

The racecourse will also accept vaccine cards or a photo of the card as proof of double vaccination. You may be asked to provide photographic ID (passport, driving licence) as well.

The racecourse is aware of delays experienced by guests when trying to load the NHS app to show proof of vaccination. To avoid this, screenshots of your proof of vaccination will be sufficient. You can obtain a ‘paper copy’ by calling 119 or applying online.

Please note that children under the age of 13 years will not need ID but their accompanying parent or guardian will have to validate their details.

Click here for more information on how to submit a lateral flow test to the NHS.

In line with the government’s most recent advice, racegoers are not required to wear face masks when they visit the racecourse.

In line with the government’s most recent advice, racegoers are not required to socially distance, however, we do encourage racegoers to take care and be respectful of others.

Keep washing your hands and using sanitiser throughout the day. There will be various points around the racecourse where sanitiser will be available. We also encourage you to bring a face covering with you to use at your discretion in busier areas.

Our raceday arrangements for owners during the Covid pandemic are being frequently modified. The most recent update will be provided automatically in an email to nominated owners when they declare to run at Chelmsford City Racecourse.

Furthermore, our latest information for owners is also available on the ROA website, please click here for the latest.

General admission tickets for weekday meetings start from £18 on the gate and £23 on the weekends including Fridays.

A £2.50 discount is applied for advance ticket sales made online or through a member of the racecourse team.

No, online ticket sales close 24 hours prior to racing starting.

Tickets are available to be purchased on the gate for all standard racedays, but not all feature days such as Ladies Day. 

Chelmsford City Racecourse offers excellent hospitality and dining options, which are generally fully-booked weeks in advance. We always advice our guests to book in advance to ensure that their desired package is available for their desired raceday, however, walk-in bookings are permitted if there is availability.

The maximum table size in the Club Restaurant & Lounge is eight people. The maximum table size in the Fairwood Restaurant is 12.

Please contact the racecourse office for any additional requirements.

Unfortunately, we do not offer any private boxes, however, we do have several marquees that can be hired as well as private areas which can be reserved.

To learn more about these options, please get in contact with our team.

If racing is abandoned prior to the first race, a full refund will be given. If the meeting is abandoned prior to the third race, a 50% refund will be given. If the meeting is abandoned prior to the third race has been run, no refund will be given in respect of admission charges.

Refunds are issued the day after the event and tickets must be returned within 28 days of the event to the racecourse office.

Unfortunately, tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Children under the age of 18 are admitted free of charge to all of our standard racedays as well as Family Fun Days, provided they are accompanied and supervised by an adult at all times.

We do not offer concessions for children in hospitality areas, however, children under the age of two can attend the Fairwood and marquees free of charge. We politely request that you inform us beforehand in order for us to make the necessary preparations, such as a highchair.

As of August 1st 2021, Chelmsford City Racecourse will be a part of the Blue Light Card scheme which enables its members to get 25% off of general admission tickets to all of our standard racedays. 

Blue Light Card provides those in the NHS, emergency services, social care sector and armed forces with discounts online and in-store. Blue Light Card also works with small and large companies across the UK to get involved in supporting the blue light community through offering its members discounts through Blue Light Card.

You could be eligble for a Blue Light Card if you are a part of the following organisations and services:

• 4×4 Response
• Ambulance Service
• Blood Bikes
• Border Force
• British Army
• Cave Rescue
• Community First Responders
• Fire Service
• Highways England Traffic Officer
• HM Armed Forces Veterans
• HM Coastguard
• HM Prison Service
• Immigration Enforcement
• Lowland Search and Rescue
• MoD Fire Service
• MoD Police
• Mountain Rescue
• NHS
• Police
• Red Cross
• Reserve Armed Forces
• RNLI
• Royal Air Force
• Royal Marines 
• Royal Navy
• Search and Rescue
• Second Line Responders
• Social Care Workers
• St Andrews Ambulance
• St John Ambulance
• UK Visas and Immigration

Please be advised that in order to redeem this offer you will need to purchase your ticket at our Ticket Office on the day and will be required to present a form of picture identification in addition to your Blue Light Card.

For further information about the Blue Light Card, please visit their website by clicking here.

Children under 18 are not permitted in the Club Restaurant & Lounge, however, children are permitted in the Fairwood restaurant provided that they have a valid booking.

We have a variety of packages available on racedays, which can vary depending on the fixture. To view our racedays and the packages that are currently on sale, please click here.

We are happy to supply a menu on request.

The racecourse opens two hours prior to the first race, however, if there is a race division this will change to one hour and a half.

We advise that you regularly check the times provided on the event page.

The racecourse booking system’s transactions are processed by Stripe. Stripe send fraud alerts to users for the majority of transactions that pass through its system as a way to protect users and ensure payments are made safely.

You will need to bring your individual e-tickets for admittance into the racecourse; these hold a barcode which needs to be scanned. This is then transferred for a swing ticket to allow entry on the day.

Ticket codes can be scanned from smartphone screens.

To view our dress code, please click here.

Yes, however we do ask that fancy dress is appropriate to be seen by all ages and not discriminatory or likely to cause offence.

Sports Bar package customers are welcome to arrive as soon as gates open.

Please be advised, that if you have not arrived within an hour after gates have opened, we are no longer able to guarantee your table reservation.

Within the Sports Bar, is the Grill Kitchen, which serves a variety of delicious casual food choices.

Throughout the our summer and our peak race meetings, there are also various food concessions available.

You can choose to eat at whatever time suits you and your guests. Please speak with your hostess upon your arrival.

Our restaurants open at the same time as the gate, which is two hours prior to the first race.

Restaurants generally stay open for one hour after the final race, however, this can be extended or reduced depending on how busy the facility is.

At present there is no shuttle service. If you do travel to the racecourse using either the no. 70 or no. 352 bus to Great Leighs, we will endeavour to arrange a collection. We recommend contacting the racecourse prior to your visit to arrange this.

Both Braintree (10 minutes away) and Chelmsford (15 minutes) Station are suitable for visiting the racecourse. Taxis are readily available from both sations.

There is a taxi pick-up point in the main car park, but please be advised that all taxis must be booked in advance.

There are variety of local taxi companies in both Braintree and Chelmsford who are happy to commute to and from the racecourse familiar with its layout.

Racegoers are not allowed to bring any food or drink onto the racecourse unless in the circumstance that there are any specific dietary requirements that the racecourse cannot cater for In this event, prior arrangements should be made with the racecourse.

Alcohol cannot be brought into the racecourse under any circumstances. If anyone is found to have alcohol on or about their person, it will be confiscated and they may be asked to leave the racecourse as a result.

Please be advised that the racecourse operates a challenge 25 policy.

The racecourse is accessible for wheelchair users, please visit our accessibility page for full details, alternatively you can contact our dedicated Access Officer by emailing access.officer@chelmsfordcityracecourse.com.

Photography is permitted for personal use only. Flash photography is not permitted. If you would like professional photos taken, please get in touch with the racecourse office prior to the raceday.

Yes, WIFI is available at the racecourse. This can be accessed on the “PUBLIC” network and no password is required.

Dogs are not permitted on the racecourse, with the exception of assistance dogs.

There is free car and coach parking available at Chelmsford City Racecourse. Please follow signage to Chelmsford City Racecourse, the main car park is located off the A131 dual carriageway.

Taxi drop-off and pick-up is also available outside the ticket office and main entrance.

Accessible parking for blue badge holders is located nearest to the ticket office and main entrance and is subject to availability. Please have your blue badge clearly displayed at all times.

This applies to standard racing fixtures only. For feature days & concerts, please see the Feature Days & Concerts page. Please ring the office on 01245 360300 for further information.

There are three methods of betting at Chelmsford City Racecourse, fixed odds betting with Betfred, pool betting with the Tote and the traditional ring bookmakers.

The duty betting ring manager changes from meeting to meeting. On a raceday they will be located in the small building at the end of the grandstand facing the betting ring.

Yes, there is a cash machine at the racecourse. Please be advised that there is a charge for this service.

We have a private Owners and Trainers bar overlooking the parade ring, located on the first floor of the pavilion serving complimentary tea, coffee, hot food and sandwiches throughout racing.

We also offer discounted packages to all Owners and Trainers wishing to dine in our restaurants, please contact the sales team for further details and to make a booking.
For all Owners & Trainers information, please select the Owners & Trainers option under ‘Plan Your Raceday’ on the main menu.

This must be done in advance, please send your details on an email to info@chelmsfordcityracecourse.com.