The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has introduced new changes to the 2026 fixture list to showcase major races during the weekend.
The changes follow the two-year trail of a ‘protected window’ during Saturday afternoon races, which demanded racecourses host key races from 2pm-4pm. The trial was designed to provide a greater viewership and engagement with the best fixtures to help grow interest in the sport.
Though the initiative succeeded in increasing turnover and viewership for headline races, the protected window also created congestion elsewhere in the schedule, which had a negative impact on the attendance of racecourses
Following an extensive review, the BHA has decided to disband the protected window and develop a more targeted approach to promote racedays.
The new approach will prioritise 100 major Saturday races throughout the new calendar. Showcasing will include the marquee festival races such as the Grand National, Derby, Royal Ascot, Glorious Goodwood and Ebor.
To maximise exposure, each highlighted race will feature a minimum 10-minute clear window before its start time ‘“For example, if a key race is scheduled for 3:30pm, the preceding contest will conclude by 3:20pm.”
The framework will allow the racecourse an option to extend intervals of up to 45 minutes between races, enabling fixtures to stage fan activations, hospitality initiatives, or live broadcasts of the feature event.
According to the BHA, the refined structure seeks to balance race-day efficiency with commercial opportunity, ensuring the sport’s biggest moments get the attention they deserve without disrupting the broader fixture programme.
The governing body is collaborating closely with ITV Racing and Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) to align race times and, where feasible, extend the same promotional benefits to leading Irish Saturday races that attract strong British audiences.
An update by Tom Byrne, BHA Head of Racing, cited: “The aim is the same — to make sure Britain’s biggest and best races get the attention they need. By refining what worked during the pilot, we can deliver greater value to racecourses, broadcasters, betting partners and fans alike.”
The BHA confirmed that the 2026 model will be monitored throughout the year, with the association committed to further refinement to enhance on-course experience, broadcast presentation, and betting engagement across the sport’s most valuable races.