What is planned
Arena Racing Company (ARC) announced on 5 October 2026 that it had signed a multi-year lease of Chelmsford City Racecourse with the freeholder, Chelmsford City Racecourse Ltd. As holder of the racecourse licence, ARC will run both racing and the non-racing events business. Racing is expected to return in November 2026, subject to the British Horseracing Authority’s licensing process, with the first meeting provisionally on Monday 2 November.
ARC listed five further fixtures, on 5 and 26 November and 3, 10 and 17 December 2026, with coverage on Sky Sports Racing and The Racing Partnership and pool betting run by Britbet. Paul Ellison, Executive Director of Brighton Racecourse, will oversee day-to-day operations. The length of the lease, its cost and any investment in facilities were not disclosed.
Sources
Plans are as announced and can change.
