Name: Horse Racing “Start into the Green Season" Mülheim Raffelberg 2026
Start: 2026-03-22T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-03-22T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Galopprennbahn Raffelberg

Start into the Green Season

About Start into the Green Season

On March 22, 2026, the German horse racing season 2026 starts at Raffelberg racecourse in Mülheim an der Ruhr. The Mülheim Racing Club is the first to open the season on a turf track — a privilege the Speldorf track has enjoyed for decades. Several horse races throughout the afternoon, plus a colorful entertainment program for the whole family, betting, and a line dance party from 2:30 PM. Admission at 10:30 AM, first race approx. 11:45 AM.

Dates 22 Mar — 22 Mar 2026

Venue Mülheim an der Ruhr (05117)

Prices Since 10.00€

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Start into the Green Season — edition 2026

Tickets →

First race day of the German horse racing season 2026 at Raffelberg racecourse in Mülheim-Speldorf. Admission 10:30 AM, first race approx. 11:45 AM. Line dance party from 2:30 PM, entertainment program for families.

The 2026 season opener sees the Mülheim Racing Club as the first German organizer to kick off on a turf track — a proven tradition. Several horse races throughout the afternoon, betting, restaurant, and family entertainment.

Highlights Start into the Green Season 2026

Germany's first turf race day of the season
Horse races of all classes
Line dance party from 2:30 PM
Family program with pony rides
Restaurant overlooking the home stretch

Programme Start into the Green Season 2026

Sunday, March 22, 2026

10:30 AM Admission
11:45 AM First horse race (maiden or handicap)
Further races every 30–40 minutes
2:30 PM Line dance party on the grandstand
Approx. 5:00 PM Last race

Detailed race program and horse lists on race day in the program booklet. Pre-information available at rennclub-muelheim.de.

Prices Start into the Green Season 2026

Admission from approx. €10–12 (adults). Children under 14 free. Grandstand and restaurant seating extra.

Practical information

Practical information — Start into the Green Season

Getting There

By Car: A40 exit Mülheim-Heißen or A3 exit Mülheim-Süd, then follow signs for “Rennbahn Raffelberg". Parking available on the racecourse grounds. By Public Transport: Mülheim Central Station, then take bus 132 towards Speldorf. Tram lines 901 / 904.

Tickets

Day tickets available at the box office or online in the Racing Club's ticket shop. Adults from approx. €10–12, children under 14 free. Special rates for grandstand seats and restaurant.

Schedule

Admission 10:30 AM · First Race approx. 11:45 AM · Last Race approx. 5:00 PM · Line Dance Party from 2:30 PM. Detailed program with exact start times on race day in the program booklet at the box office.

Restaurant

Restaurant with a view of the home stretch. Reservations recommended via the website or by email to [email protected].

Family Tip

If you come with children, be sure to check out the pony rides and the bouncy castle. Before each race, a visit to the parade ring is worthwhile — you can see the horses up close before they are led to the starting gate.

“Start into the Green Season" — Horse Racing at the Season Opener

The new year begins for the German horse racing world with the Race Day “Start into the Green Season". On Sunday, March 22, 2026, the Mülheim a.d. Ruhr Racing Club invites you to the Raffelberg Racecourse in the Speldorf district. It is Germany’s first turf race day of the season — a tradition that the Mülheim Racing Club has maintained for decades and which attracts hundreds of horse enthusiasts, breeders, trainers, and betting fans from all over Germany every year.

Race Day Program

Racing starts around 11:45 AM. Several horse races will take place throughout the afternoon — handicap races, maiden races (for young horses running their first race), and higher-stakes classics, depending on the program of the Directorate for Thoroughbred Breeding and Racing. The track is a classic left-handed turf track 1,700 meters long — one of Germany's most beautiful and oldest facilities, inaugurated in 1912.

Betting and Wagering

Anyone experiencing horse racing for the first time should at least try a small bet — it's part of the tradition. Win and place bets from €1 per ticket, odds available just before each race, friendly cashiers in the betting area help beginners. Those who wish can also try more complex bet types like quinella, trifecta, and superfecta. The atmosphere before the race is focused; once the horses leave the starting gates, the noise becomes deafening.

Entertainment — Also for Non-Betters

The race day is explicitly designed as a family Volksfest (popular festival). There are:

Snack stands with bratwurst, fries, coffee, and cake
Restaurants overlooking the home stretch (reservations recommended)
Children's program with pony rides, bouncy castle, and face painting
Grandstand for comfortable viewing
From 2:30 PM, a line dance party on the central grandstand — a Mülheim tradition to kick off the season

The Raffelberg Racecourse

The Raffelberg Racecourse in Mülheim-Speldorf is one of the most traditional horse racing venues in Germany. Opened in 1912 and operated by the Mülheim a.d. Ruhr Racing Club e.V., one of the few club-operated tracks. The facility is located directly on Akazienallee, nestled in the green Speldorf landscape. The track hosts several important race days per season.

Mülheim an der Ruhr — Horse Racing City in the Ruhr Area

Mülheim an der Ruhr, with around 170,000 inhabitants, is located in the western Ruhr area between Essen, Duisburg, and Oberhausen. The Speldorf district is the quieter, greener part of the city — along the Ruhr River and through old forests. Raffelberg Racecourse is one of the city's landmarks and a major attraction for the entire region.