Royal Ascot 2027: dates, enclosures, dress code and what sells out first

Royal Ascot is as much about what you wear as what wins. Each enclosure has its own dress code, and it is worth getting right before you book. This guide sets out the 2027 dates, the dress code enclosure by enclosure as published by Ascot, how hospitality differs between them, and what tends to sell out first.

Royal Ascot 2027 dates

Royal Ascot 2027 runs from Tuesday 15 to Saturday 19 June 2027, five days of racing at Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire.

Racing runs Tuesday 15, Wednesday 16, Thursday 17, Friday 18 and Saturday 19 June. Demand is not even across the week, which matters when you choose a day, and we come back to that below. One detail worth knowing: Members of the Royal Enclosure may bring up to two guests on each day except Tuesday.

The Village Enclosure is open Thursday to Saturday only. The other enclosures are open all five days.

The four enclosures

Ascot describes four enclosures at Royal Ascot. Three are general admission areas that the public can buy, and one is for Members only.

• Royal Enclosure. Open only to Members of the Royal Enclosure and their guests. Membership needs sponsorship by two existing Members and approval, and badges for 2027 are released to Members in January. You cannot simply buy a Royal Enclosure ticket.
• Queen Anne Enclosure. Ascot’s premier public enclosure, with Parade Ring and Grandstand access and the singing around the Bandstand after racing.
• Village Enclosure. A festival-style area in the centre of the track with live music, street food and an after-party until 9pm.
• Windsor Enclosure. The entry-level enclosure, with trackside viewing along the straight mile and the option to bring your own picnic, subject to Ascot’s picnic policy.

Royal Ascot dress code, enclosure by enclosure

This is the question most people arrive with. The rules below are taken from Ascot’s published dress code pages. Ascot can update them, so check ascot.com before you buy an outfit.

Royal Enclosure dress code

Ladies: a dress or skirt falling just above the knee or longer, with shoulder straps at least 1 inch (2.5cm) wide. A trouser suit of matching material and colour is allowed, as is a jumpsuit that falls below the knee. A hat must be worn, or a headpiece or hatinator with a base of at least 4 inches (10cm). Fascinators without that solid base are not permitted unless the wearer is under 17. Strapless, one-shoulder, off-the-shoulder, halter neck, spaghetti-strap, sheer and midriff-revealing styles are not permitted.

Gentlemen: morning dress in black, grey or navy, a waistcoat and necktie, a black or grey top hat and black dress shoes with socks covering the ankle. Customised top hats, cravats, bow ties and neckerchiefs are not permitted. Top hats may be removed inside restaurants and private boxes.

Queen Anne Enclosure dress code

Ladies: a dress or top and skirt with shoulder or halter neck straps, with no minimum length. A trouser suit of matching material and colour or a jumpsuit below the knee is fine. A hat, headpiece or fascinator is expected. Strapless, one-shoulder, off-the-shoulder, bardot, sheer and midriff-baring styles are not permitted.

Gentlemen: a full-length two or three-piece suit (morning dress is also permitted), a collared shirt, a necktie, and socks that cover the ankle. Cravats, bow ties and neckerchiefs are not permitted.

Village Enclosure dress code

Ladies: a dress or top and skirt with shoulder or halter neck straps, trouser suits of matching material, jumpsuits below the knee, and a hat, headpiece or fascinator. The same restrictions apply on strapless, off-the-shoulder, sheer and midriff-baring styles.

Gentlemen: a suit jacket or blazer, which may be a different material from the trousers, full-length trousers or chinos, a collared shirt, and a necktie, bow tie or cravat.

Windsor Enclosure dress code

There is no official dress code in the Windsor Enclosure. Ascot encourages smart daywear, with a hat or fascinator, and a jacket and collared shirt. Fancy dress, novelty, and branded or promotional clothing are not permitted.

What is banned everywhere

Ascot lists fancy dress, novelty patterns and fabrics, slogans and logos across all dress codes. For the Queen Anne and Village enclosures it also lists trainers, denim, leggings and shorts as not permitted. If you are travelling from overseas, formal national dress and service dress are welcome in the enclosures with a dress code, and if your national dress does not include a hat you do not need to wear one.

How hospitality differs by enclosure

Hospitality at Royal Ascot is tied to the enclosure, so your choice of enclosure shapes the day. From Ascot’s public information:

• Royal Enclosure. Members can pre-book restaurants and enhanced experiences in the enclosure gardens when badge sales open in January.
• Queen Anne Enclosure. Reserved seating and picnics are also offered.
• Village Enclosure. A hospitality restaurant on the inside of the track, with a three-course lunch and afternoon tea, plus a VIP upgrade and private trackside gazebos.
• Windsor Enclosure. A VIP upgrade and trackside picnic benches, for people who want a reserved base rather than a full hosted lunch.
• Private boxes. Ascot also offers Private Box packages at Royal Ascot for groups that want a dedicated space.

Food is part of the choice too. Ascot offers pre-booked picnic hampers across all four enclosures, collected from a pick-up point in your enclosure on the day. Only the Windsor Enclosure lets you bring your own picnic and a bottle of sparkling wine, subject to Ascot’s picnic policy.

The practical difference is between a fixed base and a ticket plus a picnic. A hosted restaurant or box gives you a table, service and a place to return to between races. A public enclosure ticket gives you the atmosphere and the viewing, but you manage your own day.

What sells out first

Some days and spaces go before others. At the time of writing (13 October 2026), the Windsor Forest and Trackside facilities on Thursday were sold out, and On5, Veranda and Pavilion on Saturday were sold out or nearly sold out.

That is eight months before the meeting. If you have a specific day or a large group in mind, waiting narrows the choice, and the first compromise is often the exact day you wanted.

Booking timeline

• Now: decide your day, your group size and whether you want a seated lunch, a private space or a flexible base. Early choice gives the widest range.
• January 2027: Royal Enclosure badges become available to Members. If you plan to attend as a Member’s guest, agree your days with your host early.
• Before June: arrange your outfit in good time. Check the dress code for your enclosure on ascot.com first, then buy or hire.

Prices vary by enclosure, day and package, and we do not quote them in an article. They are available on request, and we confirm the total in writing before you pay.

How VIPListed can help

We help groups choose the right day and the right kind of hospitality, and we arrange packages booked through official channels. If you are comparing days or enclosures, tell us your group size and preferred day and we will come back with options. You can also browse other horse racing hospitality, see all sport hospitality, or check how VIPListed works.

Send an enquiry for Royal Ascot 2027 hospitality with your preferred day and group size.

Frequently asked questions