Shergar Cup 2026 schedule: Race times, TV channel and concert line-up
The Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup returns to Ascot on Saturday, 8 August 2026, combining international team horse racing with a full afternoon of live entertainment. Whether you’re heading to Berkshire or watching from home, here’s everything you need to know about the day’s schedule, race times and TV coverage. If you’re planning to have a bet on the action, it’s also worth exploring the latest horse racing betting sites in the UK before the first race.
The Shergar Cup remains one of the most distinctive fixtures in the British flat racing calendar, with jockeys competing as teams rather than individuals across six races before a post-racing concert closes the event.
Shergar Cup 2026 schedule
Ascot has confirmed the official timetable for the day.
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 11:00 | Gates open |
| 13:35 | Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Dash |
| 14:10 | Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Stayers |
| 14:45 | Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Challenge |
| 15:20 | Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Sprint |
| 15:55 | Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Classic |
| 16:30 | Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Mile |
| After racing | Live concert begins |
Full Shergar Cup 2026 race times
| Race Time | Race | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1:35pm | Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Dash | A five-furlong sprint that gets the competition underway. |
| 2:10pm | Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Stayers | The longest race of the afternoon, testing stamina over approximately two miles. |
| 2:45pm | Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Challenge | A middle-distance contest worth valuable team points. |
| 3:20pm | Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Sprint | A fast-paced six-furlong race restricted to three-year-olds. |
| 3:55pm | Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Classic | Another middle-distance contest where the standings can change quickly. |
| 4:30pm | Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Mile | The final race of the competition, often deciding which team lifts the Shergar Cup trophy. |
With the full race schedule confirmed, now is a good time to compare the latest free bet offers available for horse racing before the first runners head to post.
What time do the gates open?
Racegoers can enter Ascot Racecourse from 11:00am, giving plenty of time to explore the venue, enjoy the hospitality areas and watch the team presentations before racing begins.
Shergar Cup 2026 concert line-up
Once the racing finishes, the entertainment continues with a post-racing concert included in the admission ticket.
The 2026 line-up features:
The performances begin after the final race and have become one of the event’s biggest attractions, combining a day at the races with a summer music festival atmosphere.
What TV channel is showing the Shergar Cup 2026?
The Shergar Cup 2026 will be broadcast live on ITV1 and ITVX, giving UK viewers free-to-air coverage of all six races from Ascot. Subscribers can also watch the meeting in full on Sky Sports Racing, which provides comprehensive horse racing coverage throughout the day. Whether you’re watching on television or streaming online, both broadcasters will cover the action from the opening race through to the conclusion of the Shergar Cup before the post-racing concert begins.
Betting on the Shergar Cup
Unlike many major Flat meetings, the Shergar Cup’s team format adds another layer to betting.
Popular markets include:
- Race winners
- Each-way betting
- Winning margin
- Favourite vs field
- Team winner (where available)
- Jockey specials
Odds are usually released several days before the meeting once declarations are confirmed. Comparing prices across licensed bookmakers can often help bettors find better value before the markets settle.
