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May Festival

May Festival 21-22 May 2027

Overview

⏱️2 daysApproximate duration
🏟️Medium sizedVenue capacity is 30,000
❤️‍🔥Popular eventCurrently trending with fans

Goodwood May Festival is a thrilling 2-day meeting in the UK flat racing calendar for thoroughbred horses. It is held annually in mid to late May at the stunning Goodwood Racecourse overlooking the Sussex Downs.

On the track, racegoers will be able to watch the Listed Cocked Hat Stakes. The feature race has a history of being won by future stars as it is sometimes used as a trial event for the Epsom Derby - in 2020, Khalifa Sat won the race, and later was the runner-up in the Derby. As the first meeting of the season at Goodwood, this is an event not to be missed at what is regarded as one of the most beautiful racecourses in the world.

May Festival Tickets

Sales Open

May Festival ticket sales are open!

Goodwood Racecourse is divided into several enclosures with varying dress code restrictions, access levels, and ticket price brackets. Racegoers purchase a ticket for a full day of racing with access to one of the following:

Richmond Enclosure - (Members Only) features bars - including the Champagne Lawn and 1812 Bar - and restaurants, as well as private boxes offering great views of the Parade Ring and course. There is covered seating within the March Grandstand. Richmond Enclosure patrons also have access to both the Gordon and Lennox Enclosures
Gordon Enclosure - the premier public enclosure offers views of the Parade Ring, standing viewing from within the March Grandstand, covered seating within the Sussex Stand, and the opportunity to watch the racing from near the Winning Post. There are plenty of bars, private boxes, the Sussex Bistro, and other restaurants. Gordon Enclosure patrons also have access to the Lennox Enclosure
Lennox Enclosure – (only open on the second day) a relaxed enclosure popular with families owing to its children’s playground and picnic spots. The area offers food and beverage outlets and picnics are welcome. There is no access to any other enclosure for patrons of the Lennox Enclosure

There is also a range of fantastic hospitality packages on offer.

May Festival Tickets | 21-22 May 2027 | Goodwood Racecourse | Koobit

Ticket Options

🧒 Child Tickets

Accompanied youngsters aged 17 years and under are admitted free to all enclosures and a zero-value ticket can be selected when booking. There are also discounted tickets for some hospitality areas.

👨‍🎓 Student Tickets

There is no discount for pre-booked tickets. Reduced admission for students is only available on the day with a 50% discount for Gordon and Lennox enclosures admission only.

🧓 Senior Tickets

There is no discount for pre-booked tickets. Reduced admission for over-65s is only available on the day with a 50% discount for Gordon and Lennox enclosures admission only.

🪖 Military Tickets

There are no discounted tickets for members of the military and so a full-price ticket must be purchased.

👨‍🦽 Disabled Tickets

There are 3 dedicated raised viewing platforms located on the rails by the track. The Richmond platform is located in front of the Richmond Lawn Bar, the Gordon platform is located in front of the Sussex Stand, and the Lennox platform is located on the Gordon/Lennox dividing fence. Gordon Enclosure racegoers are able to gain access to the top level of the Sussex Stand via a lift.

Wheelchair users in the Richmond Enclosure are also welcome to use the covered viewing area on the first-floor March Stand balcony.

Parade Ring viewing is easily accessible from ramps on either side of the central Parade Ring bar. The ramps continue to the Winners’ Enclosure for low-level viewing.

Customers are entitled to 1 free ticket for their carer with 1 full-price adult ticket. To obtain a carer ticket in advance, a copy of your DLA or PIP document should be sent to the racecourse.

May Festival Schedule

Please note: the information below is based on a previous edition of the event for reference purposes only. The timetable for this edition will be published nearer to the event.

Time	Activity	Performance
Friday 21 May: Day 1
11:30	Entry Gates	Gates Open
13:57	Horse Racing	First Race
17:27	Horse Racing	Last Race
18:25	Horse Racing	Bars Close
18:55	Entry Gates	Gates Close
Saturday 22 May: Day 2
11:30	Entry Gates	Gates Open
13:25	Horse Racing	First Race
16:55	Horse Racing	Last Race
17:55	Horse Racing	Bars Close
18:25	Entry Gates	Gates Close

Please be aware that all performances listed are subject to change or removal without notification.

Venue Travel & Parking

🏟️ Address: Goodwood Racecourse, Selhurstpark Road, Chichester, PO18 0PS, United Kingdom Directions in Google Maps

Driving is the most popular way to reach the venue because of its rural location and ample car parking. If you’re looking to use public transport, connect at Chichester - which is 60 miles from London - and take a bus or taxi to the racecourse.

🅿️ Parking

Goodwood Racecourse has several options for parking:

Car Park 9 - free car parking for all enclosures · 400 m (5 min) walk from front of Car Park 9 to East Entrance
Car Park 8 - paid car parking for all enclosures · 400 m (5 min) walk from back of Car Park 8 to East Entrance
Car Park 5 - paid car parking for Richmond Enclosure · 40 m (1 min) walk from front of Car Park 5 to West Entrance
Car Park 6 - parking for owners & trainers · 78 m (1 min) walk from front of Car Park 6 to West Entrance
Coach Park 7 - coach parking · 280 m (3 min) walk from front of Coach Park 7 to East Entrance

Complimentary accessible parking spaces and buggy service are available close to the racecourse entrances at the front of Car Park 5 and 8 for vehicles displaying a valid blue badge. Accessible parking is operated on a first-come, first-served basis on the day.

🚖️ Taxi

A Pick-Up and Drop-Off taxi rank for Gordon and Lennox Enclosure guests is located at the East Entrance next to the Bus Terminus, just off Selhurst Park Road.

Taxis for Richmond Enclosure guests are located at the West Entrance, off Kennel Hill Road.

Estimated taxi prices from Chichester Town Centre to Goodwood Racecourse - Car: £15.00 (4 people) / Minibus: £22.50 (8 people) 16 seater: £40.00 (16 people).

Accommodation

Chichester is on the steeper side when it comes to accommodation prices. However, the city centre has both luxury and budget hotels, and the surrounding areas offer everything from chic Airbnb’s to cute cottages.

Destination & Tourism

Location

Chichester

Language

English

Currency

British Pound (GBP)

Time Zone

BST (GMT+01:00)

Enclosed by 2000-year-old city walls, Chichester is like a time capsule of ancient Rome. Within them, there’s a Roman palace, baths, and a precious collection of unearthed artifacts, each of which tells…

Flights & International Travel

Chichester’s primary airport is London Gatwick Airport (LGW), the country’s second busiest airport. It is located 72 km northeast of Chichester, which…

Things To Do

Relive the past at Weald & Downland Living Museum – from the school, kitchen, and cottages to the carpenter's shop, farmhouse, and market hall, this interactive living museum provides a strikingly realistic insight into rural life between the 10th and 19th centuries

Average weather in May

🌡️

18°C

high

10°C

low

🌧️

33 mm

14 days

May Festival Reviews & Tips

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May Festival 21-22 May 2027

Overview