The Championships

Every year, Australians come together to celebrate The Championships, a popular horse racing event held at Royal Randwick racecourse.

Held on the first and second Saturday of April each year, 12 races are held with over $20 million in prize money up for grabs.

The Championships are held at the beautiful racecourse known as Royal Randwick, not too far from the Sydney CBD. The races have been running in some form since 1866, and Randwick is one of the most historic and beautiful tracks in Australia.

Having a bet on the Championships is very popular, with hundreds of millions of dollars spent on the races over the 2 days. Most people place bets through the official TAB or a bookmaker in person, although many of the races are televised, and people also bet online at home or a local pub or gaming venue.

Pop-up bars, live bands and DJs, uplifting hospitality experiences, restaurants and Sydney’s finest street vendors help create an unforgettable atmosphere. For fashionistas, Longines Prize for Elegance is a highlight.

The Championships race is a day full of fun and frivolities. Dress up in your Autumn finest, and bring a group of friends (and maybe even a picnic). Food and drinks can be purchased at the racetrack, and ATMs are available inside the racecourse; however, due to the large crowds, lines are often long. Betting is a popular past-time, so bring some extra cash to place a bet.

For large events, special event buses run frequent express services to and from Central Station, dropping racegoers inside the main gate of the racecourse. You can use your Opal card or purchase a ticket on board the shuttle bus on the day.