Royal Ascot meeting gets major prize money bump

The UK’s signature Royal Ascot carnival will receive a significant prize money lift in 2026, with the meeting rising to £10.65 million and all eight Group 1 races worth at least £700,000.

Every race at the royal meeting will carry a minimum of £120,000, up from £110,000, and 26 of its 35 races will be run for more than in 2025. The increase for the June fixtures comes as Ascot Racecourse unveils a record £19.4 million purse pool for next year’s calendar.

Across the wider programme, prize money will increase for 88 of Ascot’s 169 races, with all flat races set at a minimum £25,000.

A major focal point of next year’s season will be the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, which becomes Britain’s first £2 million race, up from £1.5 million. The race day purse will surpass £2.5 million following Calandagan’s win in this year’s renewal of the midsummer showpiece.

Ascot’s executive contribution will increase from £9.97 million to £10.7 million. Chief executive Felicity Barnard said: “We are delighted to be making these increases in prize-money for 2026, demonstrating our commitment to the sport and focus on rewarding participants,” adding that long-term investment was vital amid economic uncertainty.

Nick Smith, director of racing and public affairs, said strengthening prize money was essential to maintaining Ascot’s international pull.

“It is vital in an increasingly competitive international market that we keep Ascot at the forefront and the flagship £2 million King George is key to this,” he said, noting the race will be promoted alongside other historic midsummer highlights under the Midsummer Elite Races banner.