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Ascot Racecourse - 80,000 capacity, U/C, due Summer 2006









Ascot Racecourse closed for 20 months at the end of September 2004 to embark on the main building phase of its £185 million redevelopment programme, the most extensive project of its type ever seen in Europe.

The focal point of the new designs is undoubtedly the new stand itself, with an internal naturally lit galleria, bringing daylight into a covered public concourse, which will provide an even-tempered environmental shelter at the heart of the building. Above the galleria, an innovative lightweight parasol roof structure, designed to replicate in architectural form the natural tree lining in which the racecourse lies, will become the defining structure of the grandstand.

The redevelopment will see a realignment of the track. The straight mile will move 42 metres north of its current location and the new stand will be built further away from Ascot’s High Street, thereby creating more space and ease of movement between the entrance gates and the stand.

Maximum capacity will remain as it is now, at 80,000, with a new Parade Ring located behind the stands, ensuring that it is easier to reach for many more people. The pre-parade ring and saddling boxes will be re-sited in and around the historic totalisator building, their original location, overlooking the current paddock lawns, which will remain as they are now. The totalisator building, along with much of the outer red brick walls and the Grade II Listed buildings on the perimeter of the site, will form a backdrop to the lawns with which Ascot, specifically Royal Ascot, is synonymous.

The new designs are the work of HOK Sport+Venue+Event, led by Rod Sheard, which numbers the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff and Stadium Australia, spectacular home to the 2000 Olympic Games, among their recent developments. They are currently also involved with the new Wembley and Arsenal projects and the retractable Centre Court roof at Wimbledon.




Ascot is a racecourse stepped in history. It was founded back in 1711 and it is now a public racecourse. The course before the redevelopment was host to some 25 racedays each year. It is most famous though for Royal Ascot - the most celebrated, watched and betted race day on the planet. Royal Ascot is also the most attended European race meeting. The current racecourse is closed and races have been distributed to the other racecourses in the country (Royal York hosting Royal Ascot this year). Its completition will make it the most advanced and modern racecourse in existance. It is located just outside London to the west (and just south of Windsor - the Queen's official residence), it is located under the main departure/approach into/out of London Heathrow Airport.




Ascot is famous for its high-class where anyone shows off. Sometimes the dresses and hats actually seem more important than the actual races!





Royal Ascot is attended by the Queen






Construction History

October 2004






November 2004








December 2004




January 2005






February 2005






March 2005






April 2005






May 2005






June & July 2005






August 2005








The Result come Summer 2006...