Live Music Events FAQ

As Newmarket Nights are our Friday evening racing plus music events with the artist taking to the stage at any time from 8pm, our recommendation is that Newmarket Nights are not suitable for children under 18.

Whilst we recommend that these events are not suitable for children under 18, if you do wish to bring them as part of your party, at your discretion, they can attend as long as they possess a valid full price ticket to gain entry and there is a responsible adult of 18+ and above to every two children 17 and under.

We take every precaution to try and ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable time at all of our events. If you do decide to bring a child under 18, we would suggest against taking them into the most densely crowded areas, which includes the large area in front of the stage.

Newmarket Racecourses have a range of family-friendly events throughout the summer, including our popular Summer Saturdays' series whereby children under 18 are permitted free (when accompanied by an adult of 18+), this excludes Newmarket Nights.

It is your responsibility to check the suitability of an event for any children in your party regardless of official age restrictions, this includes considering the type of audience the event is likely to attract and whether such an audience is a suitable environment for children in your party. Refunds will not be issued if any aspect of an event, including the behaviour of other audience members, causes offence to you or any children on whose behalf you have purchased tickets.

We do not recommend subjecting babies and young children to loud music. If you purchase tickets for children we recommend they wear hearing protection if you decide to bring them. A concert environment is not suitable for very young children.

Newmarket’s July Course is situated in rural Cambridgeshire and hosts between seven and nine horseracing plus music events throughout the summer months (June to August).

During each racing plus music event six to seven races take place followed by live music. The ticket/s you purchase will include the racing and the concert. We do not offer a concert only ticket.

As your ticket includes the horseracing and the concert, we would encourage you to watch the races in order to experience this exciting sporting event, and also to help familiarise yourself with the layout of the racecourse before the concert commences.

The July Course is predominantly an outdoors standing venue with no allocated seating for any events.

When sold out, Newmarket’s July Course welcomes up to 22,000 customers per event.

The racecourse is made up of three enclosures during racing; Premier, Grandstand & Paddock and the Garden Enclosure. For the concert element of the event all the enclosures merge following the last race.

Premier Enclosure 

This enclosure offers the best views of the racing as the Finishing Post is within this enclosure as well as access to the Parade Ring, Pre-Parade Ring and Winners’ Enclosure too. The concert stage is also situated in the Premier Enclosure between Stands 2 and 3, facing towards the race track. There are a number of bars and restaurants in the Premier Enclosure, including the popular Moët & Chandon champagne bar. Premier Enclosure customers also have access to the Grandstand & Paddock Enclosure for a further range of facilities and amenities. Customers cannot gain access into the Garden Enclosure should the enclosure be SOLD OUT.

Grandstand & Paddock Enclosure

This enclosure offers a fair view of the racing with access to the Parade Ring, Pre-Parade Ring and Winners’ Enclosure. Plus, there are a variety of food stands and bars with no restrictions on the areas that drinks can be consumed. Customers with this ticket cannot gain access into the Garden Enclosure should the enclosure be SOLD OUT. Customers with this ticket cannot gain access into the Premier Enclosure facilities until after the racing has finished and before the music performance starts.

Garden Enclosure

This enclosure has restricted race viewing as it is positioned between the one-and two-furlong pole and has no access to the Parade Ring, Pre Parade Ring or Winners’ Enclosure. Most of the racing can be seen on a large screen only. This enclosure is generally the first area to sell out. It offers limited bars and food vendors as ticket holders usually bring a picnic to be able to enjoy the perfect day out. Please note there is very limited seating provided in this area, so customers are encouraged to bring their own chairs, tables, and blankets. Customers with Garden Enclosure tickets cannot gain access to the Premier or Grandstand & Paddock Enclosures until after the racing has finished and before the music performance starts. Once racing has finished no garden chairs, tables, picnics or any other items you bring with you can be taken into the Grandstand & Paddock or Premier Enclosures. Items can be left at our cloakroom Luggage Drop off point located in the Garden Enclosure or returned to your vehicles. This policy will be in place for security and safety reasons to help stop any items within the crowd.

Premier Enclosure ticket holders, Grandstand & Paddock Enclosure ticket holders and Annual Badge members cannot gain access into the Garden Enclosure should the enclosure be sold out.

Please note: Once racing has finished the gates between the three enclosures are opened in a staged manner with majority of guests choosing to move to the Premier Enclosure area to stand and watch the concert in front of the stage. This area is strictly standing only and not suitable for children (please see our Music FAQ’s regarding children) or vulnerable adults as this area becomes the most densely crowded, busy and lively.  Sitting down in this area is strictly prohibited during the concert. If you prefer a more relaxed environment there is the option of standing in the Grandstand & Paddock Enclosure or watching from the range of big screens around the site.

We have a number of upgrade facilities available:

Champions Lawn, Prime Viewing Platform and our Hospitality Areas

Champions Lawn Upgrade from £36 pp (in addition to your Premier Enclosure ticket)

A unique upgrade facility which sits on the perimeter of the Premier Enclosure, with full access to all Premier facilities. The area offers:

• Cash bar
• Table service
• Private toilets
• Tote betting facilities

Please note: it is an outdoor enclosure, but standing cover is available in the bar area during inclement weather. Viewing of the concert from Champions Lawn is limited but there is a large screen opposite the facility, which enables guests to stay in the Champions Lawn and watch from the screen. Alternatively guests can leave the enclosure and stand closer to the stage. See Champions Lawn for more details.

Prime Viewing Platform from £50 pp (in addition to your entry ticket)

A unique upgrade facility in the Premier Enclosure offering one of the best views of the stage:

• Access to the platform will be given after the last race
• The platform is located in the Premier Enclosure
• The platform runs parallel with the track and approx. 40 m from the stage (directly opposite the stage)
• Although you are not in front of the stage, the platform does give you a viewing advantage as you are higher than other customers standing in front of the stage
• The platform does not have cover and during inclement weather, ponchos can be purchased. We do not permit umbrellas to be put up during the concert.
• A wristband will give you access to the platform and will be available for you to collect on the race day from our Course Office. 

Hospitality including the Summer House Restaurant

View our latest packages

Every person attending our racing plus music events must have a valid form of admission regardless of age. We do not offer complimentary tickets for under 17 and under. Tickets should arrive no later than two weeks before the event is due to take place.

If you have selected E-Tickets (print at home tickets). Please note, these are not available for Premier Enclosure Ensure you print out your barcoded ticket before arriving. Entry to the venue will not be permitted without a valid form of admission and lost, stolen or forgotten tickets will not be replaced. We only issue one ticket per person as barcodes are unique.

• Premier Enclosure Barcoded ticket and swing badge (both required for entry)
• Grandstand & Paddock Barcoded ticket
• Garden Enclosure Barcoded ticket

If you have trouble printing your E-tickets or your tickets/swing badges do not arrive please call the team no later than 48 hours before the event you are attending on 0344 579 3010.

If you have purchased Premier tickets the week of the event these will be available for collection on the day only. Please note that the Ticket Collection will be closed by the 3rd Race.

Our racecourses continue to operate on a ‘cashless’ basis, including concessions and entry. However, cash may be used when placing bets with all on-course bookmakers. 

Authorised Sellers are companies and ticket agencies who officially sell our admission tickets in conjunction with us.

Our only authorised sellers are:

• Newmarket Racecourses - Get Newmarket Nights tickets
• Jockey Club Live
• Jockey Club Racecourses
• Ticketmaster

Do not be tempted to buy from or sell to any other website including:

• Stub Hub
• Viagogo
• Ticket Swap
• Getmein
• Seatwave
• Twickets
• Ebay
• Gumtree
• Ticketmaster resale site
• Social media sites

Please do not buy or sell to touts you may come across in our car parks, anyone seen doing so will be refused entry to the racecourse.

We are trialling working with Tixel who provide a safe and easy place for you to sell your ticket to another fan for our Market Rasen and Newmarket music nights.

To sell your ticket please go to tixel.com/sell and follow the prompts. If you have already found a buyer for your ticket but want to complete the transaction safely, you can create a private sale by selecting the ‘make my listing private’ option at the final step.

Please be aware this is for e-ticket enclosures only.

There is not an option to purchase a “Meet and Greet” with the band/artist. If the band/artist are offering the chance to meet them before the concert, these are only available through competitions via Newmarket Racecourses social media pages, or Jockey Club Live. Please visit our social media pages, or sign up to the Newmarket Racecourses mailing list for further information.

Newmarket Nights

The approximate timings for the concert are 8.30pm – 10.30pm but please note these timings are different for each event and will depend on the race times for the horseraces beforehand.

If there is a delay with racing this will mean the concert has a slightly later start time.

Please visit the relevant Newmarket Nights or Summer Saturday Live event page on the website for exact timings. Generally the artists will come on stage around 15 minutes after the last race and perform for approximately 75 to 90 minutes and do not have a warm up act beforehand. Please note, the set time of the artist differs for each event.

Summer Saturday Live

The approximate timings for the afternoon concerts are 5.30pm – 7.30pm but please note this is subject to change and will depend on the race times for the horseraces beforehand.

If there is a delay with racing this will mean the concert has a slightly later start time.

Please visit the relevant event page for exact timings. Generally the artists will come on stage around 15 minutes after the last race and perform for approximately 75 to 90 minutes and do not have a warm up act beforehand. Please note, the set time of the artist differs for each event.

As your ticket includes both the horseracing and the concert we would encourage you to come along to enjoy both. This will give you the opportunity to familiarise yourself with the facilities available. However if you wish to only arrive for the concert, we recommend that you arrive 30 minutes before the last race during your chosen event. Please see the order of running on the event page for the official racing times for your chosen music event.

Please note: The order of running (the timings of the horseracing) can be updated up to 24 hours before the event, therefore double check the race times on the day of your visit.

The stage is located in the Premier Enclosure in between Stands 2 and 3. During racing there are three separate enclosures in operation; Premier, Grandstand & Paddock and Garden Enclosure. Once racing has finished the gates between the three enclosures are opened in a staged manner with the majority of guests choosing to move to the Premier Enclosure area to stand and watch the concert. This area is strictly standing only and not suitable for children as it can become very busy and lively. Please note, following racing, this area no longer is an alcohol free zone but remains a glass free area. If you prefer a more relaxed environment there is the option of standing elsewhere around the racecourse or viewing from the large screens that are located in all enclosures.

Visitors in the Premier Enclosure will have first access to the stage area but following racing the gates between all enclosures are opened and other guests can move closer to the stage.

This area is strictly standing only and not suitable for children as it can become very busy and very lively.

If you prefer a more relaxed environment there is the option of standing elsewhere around the racecourse or viewing from the large screens that are located in all enclosures.

Newmarket Racecourses is sold as an outdoor standing event with no reserved seating available.

No furniture is permitted in the Premier or Grandstand & Paddock Enclosure at any point during the event. Furniture is permitted in the Garden Enclosure, but cannot be brought into the other enclosures following racing and for the concert. Items can be left at our cloakroom Luggage Drop off point located in the Garden Enclosure or returned to your vehicles.

If you require a chair for medical reasons you must apply in advance (at least two days before the event you are attending) to our Customer Relations team on 01638 675500 option 4. If permission is granted you will require a letter of authorisation that you will need to bring with you. Due to health and safety purposes, chairs are not permitted in the areas directly in front of the stage.

Racecourse seating is not permitted to be moved to the Premier Enclosure area in front of the stage.

Get some inspiration for what to wear to our racecourses.

No food and drink can be brought into the Hospitality, Premier, Champions Lawn and/or Grandstand and Paddock Enclosures.

Picnics are very popular with many of our racegoers and can be consumed in our Garden Enclosure or car park only.

Please note that our Garden Enclosure is not always open (please check our website in advance). During the summer and in particular our Newmarket Nights and Summer Saturday Live events, the Garden Enclosure sells out and access will ONLY be given to customers who have pre-purchased Garden Enclosure tickets on sell-out fixtures.

Access to the Garden Enclosure with an Annual Badge will not be possible during sell-out events. During these sell-outs and closures, picnics can only be consumed in our car parks.

Please note that food and drink cannot be taken into the Premier or Grandstand & Paddock Enclosures (including Century Stand & Champions Lawn) and only food and drink purchased from our racecourse vendors can be consumed in these areas.

Alcohol can only be brought into the Garden Enclosure with a substantial picnic and it is limited to one bottle of wine or champagne per person or 4 cans of beer, cider or pre-mixed aperitif per person. Please note that beer/cider must be in cans. Unfortunately, spirits, fortified wines and Pimm’s (or similar) will not be allowed on course. 

Metal and ceramic knives, corkscrews, sharp knives, jars of pickle or salad dressing will not be permitted on course (if you have any items you are unsure whether will or won’t be permitted, please see the “Restricted Items” section below). BBQs will not be permitted on course or in the car parks.

Once racing has finished no garden chairs, tables, picnics or any other items you bring with you can be taken into the Grandstand & Paddock or Premier Enclosures. Items can be left at our cloakroom Luggage Drop off pointed located in the Garden Enclosure or returned to your vehicles at your own risk. We also have a left luggage drop off point in our Blue Car Park for customers who have picnicked in the car parking areas. Please note that we do not allow picnic blankets into the Premier or Grandstand & Paddock Enclosures during racing or for the concerts.

There is a large screen in the Garden Enclosure allowing you to stay and enjoy the live music performance if preferred.

As Newmarket’s July Course is situated in rural Cambridgeshire traffic to the site can be busy at peak times. It is therefore advised that racegoers arrive early to avoid being delayed and follow the yellow directional signs, avoiding the high street.

Especially during the busier events, there can be heavy traffic when exiting the site resulting in delays so please do be aware of this when making your travel arrangements. During our sell out concerts please allow up to two hours to exit the car parks.

If you wish to avoid delays leaving the racecourse we suggest that you stand close to your exit towards the end of the artist’s set and then leave 10 – 15 minutes before the last song is played. For those wishing to stay after the concert, select food and drink units will remain open for up to an hour and a half after the concert finishes.

Please ensure you familiarise yourself with the colour code of the area you have parked in and row number.

There are various bus services available so that you can arrive and return from Newmarket Racecourses safely and efficiently.

Free Shuttle Service

Newmarket Racecourses provides a free shuttle bus from Newmarket High Street (outside Hughes Electrical) and Newmarket Train Station to the July Course. The service starts two hours before the first race and resumes immediately after the last race, running continuously until the venue is clear.

No booking is required for this free service.

Outrider Coach Service

Newmarket Racecourses offers subsidised return coach services:

• Cambridge Train Station £10 return £6 one way
• Royston Train Station £10 return £6 one way
• Bury St Edmunds Bus Station £10 return £6 one way
• Ely Town Centre (Market Street) £10 return £6 one way
• Soham (outside the Red Lion pub) £8 return £5 one way

These coach services generally arrive in time for the first race and leave 30 minutes after the concert finishes from outside Gate 2.

Advanced booking is required for this service and we would suggest doing so at the time of booking your tickets. If space permits, returns are possible on this service.

Book Newmarket Coach Services

Coach Parking

We offer free coach parking. Coaches must enter the racecourse via Gate 4 off the Cambridge Road (A1303). If your coach driver wishes to leave the site and come back to the racecourse, they must be back in the coach car park by 9pm (Newmarket Nights) or 5pm (Summer Saturday Live) as access into Gate 4 is restricted from this time to allow for exit. Please see parking page for more information. 

Taxis

The Taxi rank is located outside Premier Entrance 1.

Drop off and pick up information

At the end of the concert, no pickups are permitted outside the main gates, from the roundabout, or attempt to access the racecourse via Gate 4 off the Cambridge Road. The meeting point for all pickups, including Private Hire, is located via gate 2 in the White car park outside Premier Entrance 1. We recommend that you ask your taxi driver to park up and meet you outside Premier Entrance 1 in person. This saves a lot of time struggling to find each other!

We recommend you pre book your taxi in advance of your visit to avoid the taxi rank queue at the end of the event.

We strongly recommend you do not walk from the July Course, it is further than you think and there is no footpath or street lighting.

See list of Taxi Services in Newmarket

The event is sold as an outdoor standing event with limited cover. Some of our bar areas have a small amount of shelter but most areas are open to the elements, including viewing the stage. We therefore advise that you dress appropriately for the weather but in accordance with the Dress Code.

During inclement weather, boots and umbrellas are permitted during racing. Umbrellas are not permitted during the concert, but you can purchase ponchos from the Course Office on site.

We have a range of facilities available for our disabled guests, please download our accessibility map and our venue access information document, which highlights all of the accessibility facilities available at Newmarket Racecourses. Disabled toilets are operated via the RADAR key system.

Disabled Viewing Platforms

For all racing plus music events, we take bookings for all of the designated disabled platform areas. 

See disabled platform policy.

See Disabled Viewing Platform Areas

To reserve a place on one of the designated platforms, please call 01638 675500 (Opt 4).

Personal Assistants

If you need a Personal Assistant to attend the event we offer complimentary access to them once eligibility is confirmed. Please see the Newmarket Personal Assistant Policy for more information.

Assistance Dogs

Assistance dogs are welcome to attend with their owners without additional charge subject to possession of a valid identification document from Assistance Dogs (UK) or an equivalent international organization.

A separate ticket is not required however owners should notify the racecourse in advance upon booking their event day tickets so that any necessary arrangements can be made.

If you have any questions or queries regarding the free care admission scheme then please contact the Customer Relations Department on 01638 675500 (Option 4).

Blue Badge Parking

We have dedicated disabled parking in both the Premier and Public car parks. If you require assistance from your vehicle, our car park attendants will be able to radio for the golf buggy which will take you to the point of entry. Please note the golf buggy service has no facilties to transport wheelchairs or mobility scooters.

Newmarket Racecourses parking

For more information view our accessibility policy.

To guarantee availability, it is essential that you telephone us on the same day you make your ticket purchase if you wish to request a personal assistant ticket. We are unable to offer this on the raceday.

We offer complimentary admission to one accompanying personal assistant in circumstances where a person with a disability would otherwise be at a substantial disadvantage without the personal assistant.

Please note that tickets purchased through Third Party Ticket Agents and not directly with the Jockey Club will not be included in our PA policy and will not be offered a PA Free ticket.

As is standard practice across sports and leisure venues, racecourses seek to protect their image rights in their terms and conditions of entry. These regulations are in place to ensure that any commercial income streams generated, in this case via photography, are protected and available to be reinvested into racing. Whilst racecourses do not wish to dissuade customers from taking pictures of their day out, it is important that this remains on a personal level and not for commercial purpose.

If you are wishing to use a “professional” camera (a camera with a substantial detachable lens) on course, please visit the Free Pass Office on arrival to sign a declaration that you will not sell or use images for publicity or financial gain and to obtain a pass. Anyone found in breach of our Ts&Cs will be removed from site. If you are an accredited member of the media, permission must be sought through the Press Office before arrival and official media accreditation will be provided. Compact digital cameras and mobile phones are not classed as “professional” equipment.

Bag and physical searches will be in operation. Dogs may be in operation on the site for enhanced security searches.

Items that are not permitted into the Premier or Grandstand & Paddock Enclosures

• We ask that you do not bring unnecessary bags or luggage into the racecourse. Bags larger than 40cm x 35cm x 19cm will not be allowed. A cloakroom facility is available outside Premier 2 Entrance, in the Blue car park.
• No food or drink is to be brought into the Premier, or Grandstand & Paddock Enclosures, including celebration cakes or alcohol for presents of your guests
• Knives, corkscrews or sharp objects
• Weapons, ‘hoax’ items or pyrotechnics including laser devices.
• Rope
• Megaphones/Sound Systems or air horns
• Large flags/banners/Selfie Sticks
• Unidentifiable canisters e.g. no deodorant, smoke canisters or nitrous oxide
• Helium Balloons
• Alcohol
• Picnics / BBQs – except food for children/infants under five
• Furniture, gazebos, Fishing Umbrellas
• No glass or ceramic bottles (including perfume), dishes or glassware
• Professional Filming Equipment unless accredited. Professional looking cameras must be declared on entry (defined as an SLR camera)
• Offensive Clothing
• Illegal substances including drugs
• Marketing or promotional material unless authorised by the racecourse in advance

See restricted items for Premier and Grandstand & Paddock Enclosures.

In the Garden Enclosure the above is not permitted with the exception of:

• Alcohol. This must with accompanied by a substantial picnic and limited to four cans beer/cider/pre mixed aperitif per person or one bottle of wine/champagne per person. No spirits, fortified wines and Pimm’s (or similar) are not allowed on course. All bottles/cartons must be sealed on entry to the premises. Unsealed bottles will not be allowed. Beer and cider bottles will not be permitted.
• Picnics (no knives, corkscrews, glass or ceramic bottles/dishes and glassware, including pickle and salad dressing jars)
• Outdoor furniture, gazebos (max. size 3m x 6m) or Fishing Umbrellas. The Racecourse reserves the right to restrict access for gazebos/Fishing Umbrellas if they pose a safety threat.

Please note: alcohol, blankets, picnics and garden furniture/gazebos are not permitted outside of the Garden Enclosure. After racing if customers wish to move into the other enclosures all alcohol, picnics and garden furniture must be stored at the cloakroom facility at the Garden Enclosure turnstiles or be returned to cars.

See restricted items for Garden Enclosure.

Should you suffer from a medical condition which requires you to carry medication and/or equipment with you in the event of an emergency, such as a diabetic who many require to carry insulin and needles, we will of course allow these items into the racecourse, however we require the following actions/documentation to support your entry to the venue.

Please ensure your doctor or health care professional provides you with written confirmation to confirm your medical condition and the medication and/or equipment you require to bring to the racecourse for your welfare in the event of a medical emergency. Please ensure you bring this letter with you as our security personnel will require sight of this letter to allow you entry to the racecourse.

Please note, should the above process not be followed you may not be granted access to the venue due to strict safety regulations regarding prohibited and restricted items being allowed into the venue for safety purposes. Your ticket will not be refunded as a result.

Yes you are able to leave your car overnight but this is at the owner’s risk. If we are racing the following day you are advised to pick up your car before gates open.

There is strictly no camping available on site.

We do not offer refunds or exchanges on pre-purchased tickets. Should the event be cancelled please see our Cancellation Policy within our Terms and Conditions.

In order to ensure that all our visitors enjoy the racing and entertainment, we respectfully request that you are considerate to other visitors and racecourse staff. We take a zero tolerance position on anti-social behaviour, drugs and the misuse of alcohol. Anyone engaging in these behaviours will be ejected from the racecourse and dealt with appropriately. 

View Alcohol, Drug and Behavioural Management policies

The safety of all racegoers is paramount and the racecourse continues to work closely at all times with East Cambridgeshire District Council, the Police, the Fire Service, the Ambulance Service, Security Services and our specialist advisers in implementing the appropriate security measures for the protection of our customers and your enjoyment of our events.

These FAQ’s are designed to help you understand and plan your day.

Please visit our full set of Terms & Conditions.