Name: Irish Raceday Hoppegarten 2026
Start: 2026-05-10T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-05-10T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Galopprennbahn Hoppegarten

Irish Raceday

About Irish Raceday

When around 10,000 guests in green hats flock to the Hoppegarten racecourse on a Sunday in May, it's Irish Raceday. The date combines a sporting highlight (the prestigious Oleanderrennen over 3,200 m, €130,000 prize money) with Irish joie de vivre — live music, Guinness bar, family entertainment. One of the largest and most popular race days at a German racecourse.

Dates 10 May — 10 May 2026

Venue Hoppegarten (12064)

Prices —

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Irish Raceday — edition 2026

Tickets →

The 2026 Irish Raceday will take place on Sunday, May 10th, 2026, at the Hoppegarten racecourse. Admission starts at 12:30 PM, with the first race at 1:50 PM. The sporting highlight is the 55th Oleanderrennen over 3,200 m with a prize fund of €130,000. Around 10,100 visitors are expected, dressed in green hats and embracing the Irish spirit.

For years, Irish Raceday has been the most attended race day at Hoppegarten and one of seven major race days of the 2026 season. The Oleanderrennen is the sporting centrepiece: a Group II distance race that attracts significant international stables. Alongside this, the usual day's program features five to six other races and a rich supporting program with Irish Music, a Guinness bar, a children's carousel, and a picnic atmosphere on the infield.

Highlights Irish Raceday 2026

55th Oleanderrennen (3,200 m, €130,000), live Irish Music, Guinness on tap, picnic atmosphere, children's carousel.

Programme Irish Raceday 2026

Irish Raceday May 10th, 2026 — Hoppegarten Racecourse

Schedule

12:30 PM — Admission
1:50 PM — First Race
5–6 races spread throughout the day — Highlight: 55th Oleanderrennen (Group II, 3,200 m, €130,000 prize money)
Approx. 5:30 PM — Last Race

Supporting Program

Live Irish Music (Fiddle, Banjo, Bodhrán)
Guinness and Kilkenny on tap
Irish Street Food (Stew, Soda Bread, Fish & Chips)
Dance performances with Irish folklore
Children's program: Carousel, bouncy castle, pony rides
Picnic on the infield (blankets allowed)
Champagne bar and box service for premium guests

Tickets

Online at tickets.hoppegarten.com
Day tickets, family tickets, box reservations
Recommendation: Use advance sales — Irish Raceday often sells out

Prices Irish Raceday 2026

Day tickets and family offers available at tickets.hoppegarten.com. Box and Champagne packages with catering. Children under 14 often free.

Practical information

Practical information — Irish Raceday

Getting there

Galopprennbahn Hoppegarten, Goetheallee 1, 15366 Hoppegarten. S-Bahn S5 Berlin (final stop Strausberg) station Hoppegarten (Mark), then a 10-minute walk. Arriving by car: A10 (eastern Berliner Ring), exit Hoppegarten.

Times

Admission from 12:30 PM, first race at 1:50 PM. Last race around 5:30 PM, depending on the program.

Tickets

Online at tickets.hoppegarten.com. Day tickets, family tickets, box seats, and grandstand seats. Recommendation: book early, Irish Raceday is regularly the sold-out day of the season.

The biggest horse race in the Berlin surroundings

The Hoppegarten racecourse, founded in 1868 and located just 25 km east of Berlin, is one of Germany's most traditional racing venues. In the Märkisch-Oderland district, right on the eastern city limits of Berlin, Hoppegarten is accessible by S-Bahn (S5). The Irish Raceday in May is considered the most attended race day of the entire season — around 10,000 visitors are expected in 2026.

The Oleanderrennen — A classic with €130,000

The sporting centrepiece of the day is the 55th Oleanderrennen, a Group II race over 3,200 m with a prize fund of €130,000. It is one of the few long Group races in Germany and attracts stables from France, Great Britain, and Ireland annually. In addition, there are five to six other races, including the Goldene Peitsche-Trial (sprint race) and maiden races for horses competing for the first time.

Irish Theme: Guinness, Greenery, Riverdance

The surrounding atmosphere transforms the race day into an Irish family festival: Guinness and Kilkenny on tap, Irish Stew, Soda Bread, Riverdance-inspired dance performances, live music with fiddle, banjo, and bodhrán. Dressing in green sets the right tone — many guests wear shamrock pins or green hats.

Family Entertainment and Picnic Culture

On the infield, there are children's carousels, bouncy castles, pony rides — and the tradition of picnicking with blankets has been established for years. For those who prefer more elegance, tables can be reserved in the Champagne tent or box seats with full catering.