Your Guide to the Northumberland Plate Festival 2026
The countdown is on to the JenningsBet Northumberland Plate Festival, returning to Newcastle Racecourse from Thursday 25th June to Saturday 27th June 2026 for three fantastic days of racing, entertainment and summer atmosphere. Whether you're joining us for one day or making a weekend of it, here's everything you need to know before you arrive.
Before The Day
Newcastle Racecourse is located at High Gosforth Park, just 15 minutes from Newcastle city centre and is easily accessible by road and rail. We recommend allowing extra travel time across the festival weekend, particularly on Saturday when we welcome one of our biggest crowds of the year.
To help make your arrival as smooth as possible:
Have your tickets ready before reaching the entrance - e-tickets will be sent out via email 7 days ahead of the Raceday.
Arrive early to avoid queues and make the most of your day.
Check the dress code – make sure your outfit meets the requirements for the enclosure you are booked. Click here to find out more information.
Plan your journey in advance and check traffic updates before setting off – click here to read our Get Here page for full travel information
Check the weather – considering bringing your sun cream or your umbrella!
Festival-Wide Drinks Offer
Start your raceday in style with our 50% Drinks Offer, available across all three days of the JenningsBet Northumberland Plate Festival.
For the first hour after gates open, racegoers can enjoy:
Up to 50% off selected soft drinks, lager, cider, bitter and Guinness
£10 off any bottle of House Wine, Prosecco or Champagne
£10 off any jug of Pimms*
Bringing a Picnic?
Please note that picnics are only permitted in the Grandstand Enclosure across all three days.
You are welcome to bring your own food; however, only sealed bottles of water may be brought onto the racecourse. Please note that bag checks will be in place on the day.
If you have booked Premier tickets and are planning to bring a picnic, you will need to enjoy it within the Grandstand Enclosure before re-entering through the Premier Entrance.
Thursday 25 June – Seaton Delaval Trophy Day
The festival gets underway with an afternoon of competitive flat racing, headlined by the Seaton Delaval Handicap Stakes. Day One offers a fantastic opportunity to enjoy the excitement of the Northumberland Plate Festival in a more relaxed setting before the larger crowds arrive later in the week.
Key timings:
Gates Open: 12:00pm
First Race: 2:02pm
Last Race: 5:32pm
We recommend arriving shortly after gates open to enjoy refreshments, explore the racecourse and settle in before the first race.
Click here to get your Thursday tickets!
Friday 26 June – Gosforth Park Cup Night
Key Timings:
Gates Open: 4:00pm
First Race: 5:50pm
Last Race: 8:50pm
Post-Racing Entertainment: Approximately 9:30pm (for 60 minutes)
Friday evening racing brings the perfect opportunity to start the weekend early. Expect a lively atmosphere, thrilling racing action and a vibrant summer evening at Gosforth Park.
With many racegoers travelling directly from work, we encourage guests to allow extra time for evening traffic and to arrive in plenty of time to enjoy the opening races and entertainment.
LADEBARE LIVE After Racing
The party continues after racing on Friday, with DJ Ladebare taking to the decks from 9:30pm. Known for Newcastle's iconic Platform 47 and performances at Hï Ibiza, O Beach Ibiza and Café Mambo, he'll bring high-energy house music and huge summer vibes to kick-start the festival weekend in style.
Click here to get your Friday tickets!
Saturday 27 June – Northumberland Plate Day
Northumberland Plate Day is the highlight of the festival and one of the biggest sporting and social occasions in the North East calendar. Alongside top-class racing, racegoers can enjoy live entertainment, great food and drink, fashion, and the electric atmosphere that makes the day so special.
Key Timings:
Gates Open: 11:30am
First Race: 1:40pm
JenningsBet Northumberland Plate: 3:15pm
Last Race: 4:58pm
Post-Racing Entertainment: Approximately 9:30pm (for 90 minutes)
As our busiest day of the festival, we strongly recommend arriving as early as possible. This will give you plenty of time to enter the racecourse, meet friends and enjoy the 50% off drinks offer.
DAYFEVER After Racing
The celebrations continue from approximately 5:30pm as Day Fever brings its feel-good party to Northumberland Plate Day. Expect packed dancefloors, nostalgic anthems, singalong classics and the ultimate festival atmosphere to round off an unforgettable day at the races.
Click here to get your Saturday tickets!
Shuttle Bus Information
To make getting to and from the racecourse as easy as possible, complimentary shuttle buses will operate throughout the day from both Four Lane Ends and Regent Centre Metro Stations.
Before racing, shuttle buses will run on a continuous loop from 11:00am until 2:00pm, dropping racegoers directly at the racecourse entrance.
After racing, buses will depart from outside GOALS on site and operate on a continuous loop to Four Lane Ends and Regent Centre Metro Stations from 4:30pm until 9:00pm.
If you're not ready for the day to end when the racing finishes, we've got you covered. Selected shuttle buses will head directly to Jesmond, where the official Northumberland Plate Day After Party continues at 97 & Social and Spy Bar Jesmond.
Spread across both venues, racegoers can enjoy DJs, drinks offers, beer gardens and plenty of screens showing the World Cup action, making it the perfect place to keep the celebrations going into the evening.
To reserve a table, please contact @97social or @spybarjesmond via Instagram or Facebook.
Need some more information?
If there is anything we haven’t answered above, check out our Frequently Asked Questions page by clicking here.
Alternatively, you can email us at info@newcastle-racecourse.co.uk or call 0191 236 2020, and one of our team will be happy to assist.
Need Help on the Day?
Our raceday team will be on hand throughout the festival to assist with directions, facilities and any questions you may have. Please speak to the nearest steward on the day or call into the Racecourse Office (next to the Border Minstrel Pub).
If you haven't already secured your tickets, they can still be purchased online by clicking here or at the turnstiles on arrival.
We look forward to welcoming you to Newcastle Racecourse for three unforgettable days of racing, entertainment and summer celebrations at the JenningsBet Northumberland Plate Festival 2026.
*Terms & Conditions: Offer strictly available for one hour after the advertised gate opening time only. Offer available to general admission customers, annual members and owners & trainers. Newcastle Racecourse reserves the right to withdraw the offer at any time. Please drink responsibly. Speak to a member of the team for further information if required.
