Hong Kong International Races
Hong Kong International Races takes place Dec 13, 2026 (approx; second Sunday of December) in Hong Kong, China. The dress code is General admission is casual. Members' enclosures and hospitality boxes enforce smart dress - jacket usually required for men, no shorts, no flip-flops. Typical cost ranges from 30 to 600 EUR per person.
Four international Group 1 races in a single afternoon at Sha Tin, billed as the Turf World Championships and drawing runners from Europe, Japan, Australia and the US. Hong Kong racing runs on enormous betting turnover and the crowd's intensity reflects it - this is a knowledgeable, vocal, wholly engaged audience. The facilities are world class and the mid-December weather is usually ideal.
- When
- Dec 13, 2026 (approx; second Sunday of December)
- Where
- Hong Kong, China
- Dress code
- General admission is casual. Members' enclosures and hospitality boxes enforce smart dress - jacket usually required for men, no shorts, no flip-flops
- Cost
- Typical cost ranges from 30 to 600 EUR per person.
- Weather
- 18 - 22C, mild and dry - close to perfect racing weather
- When to book
- Public admission needs no booking; tourist badges and hospitality should be arranged with the HKJC 4 - 8 weeks ahead
- Getting there
- HKG (Hong Kong), 40 min to venue
- Where to stay
- Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Sha Tin, The Peninsula Hong Kong, Eaton HK
- Official site
- https://www.hkjc.com/
How to attend
Public admission to Sha Tin is very cheap, around HK$10 - 20 at the gate. Overseas visitors should ask the Hong Kong Jockey Club about the Tourist Badge, which grants members' enclosure access on production of a passport for a modest fee. Hospitality boxes and dining packages are sold in advance and go early for this flagship day. Take the MTR East Rail line direct to Racecourse station, which only opens on race days.
Nothing is booked in advance - public admission to Sha Tin is a few Hong Kong dollars paid at the turnstile on the day, and overseas visitors ask for the Tourist Badge at the gate on production of a passport.
Insider tip
Overseas visitors can buy a Tourist Badge from the HKJC that gets you into the members' enclosure with your passport - it is one of the best-value upgrades in world racing and locals cannot buy it.
Get inside Hong Kong International Races
Booking matters here: public admission needs no booking; tourist badges and hospitality should be arranged with the HKJC 4 - 8 weeks ahead. Members track that window, what it really costs, and 573 more events across the season.
Free while in beta. One email when your invitation is ready, nothing else.