Your guide to Royal Ascot COVID Event Research Programme

Features | 9^th June 2021

The prospect of having fans back in a good number at the Royal Ascot is wonderful to see! Here's all the things you need to know relating to COVID before, during and after attending the Royal meeting.

It’ll be a lovely sight seeing fans return to British Flat racing’s most famous meeting. Royal Ascot will welcome a crowd of 12,000 people each day at this summer’s glittering five‐day festival starting on Tuesday 15 June as part of the Government’s Events Research Programme (ERP).

Racegoers will be back in their traditional finery on the lawns and in the enclosures of the Royal course, however, there’s a number of guidelines you need to be aware of and follow so you can enjoy a fantastic day at the races safely.

The safety restrictions will not stop those attending Royal Ascot from enjoying every aspect of the superb racing and everything you would expect from one of the highlights of the British sporting summer.

The below measures will ensure everyone attending the meeting is kept safe before, during and after enjoying the world‐famous occasion.

Tickets are no longer on sale for Royal Ascot but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the world-class racing at home. ITV will be showing every since race throughout the whole five days of fantastic racing and make sure to follow Ascot on social media or online to get the best at home experience possible.

There are three main requirements regarding the COVID procedures.

1. Consent for participating in the research programme

Anyone attending Royal Ascot will need to provide their consent to take part in the scientific research to be conducted at the event.

This will involve participating in the Royal Ascot Test and Trace scheme. An email will be sent to racegoers so they can access the secure system and they will need to provide their personal details including names, address, date of birth and mobile number.

Once those personal details have been gathered and consent given, racegoers will receive their digital tickets.

2. Evidence of negative lateral flow test

It will also be a condition of entry that all attendees will have to provide evidence of a negative lateral flow test taken within 36 hours of the day they have tickets for. It is critical that the result of the test is reported within 24 hours of taking it. Upon submiting it a text and email will be received by the attendee.

Proof of a negative test, along with the digital ticket, will be required upon admission into the racecourse.

3. Complete two PCR tests

Anyone attending Royal Ascot will also need to complete two Covid‐19 PCR tests. One will need be taken on the day before the specific day you are attending and the other will be required to be taken within five days after attending the meeting.

These test’s are free of charge as they are required to be completed as part of the Government’s Events Research Programme.

Full details and answers to frequently asked questions regarding the entry requirements, including the testing processes, can be found on the Ascot racecourse website.

Additional information

Anyone attending the meeting is also requested to follow the travel guidelines. Racegoers are encouraged to walk or cycle to the event wherever possible and, in line with legal requirements, must wear a face covering when using public transport.

If travelling by car, racegoers should avoid sharing with anyone outside of their household or support bubble. Car parking at Royal Ascot will be free of charge to help ease this process.

Sticking to these saftey guidelines will mean you can enjoy a brilliant raceday experience safely and your participation in what will hopefully be a successful research event!