6 upcoming race days

Race days and dress codes in South Africa

The Met and the King’s Plate in Cape Town in summer, and the Durban July in winter.

November 2026

majorSat 28 Nov 2026
Betway Summer Cup
TAB Turffontein Racecourse, Johannesburg
Johannesburg's big fashion race day. Each year has an announced theme; 2026 is 'Celebrate Summer', and the organiser's only dress instruction is 'Dress to impress.'

Sat 5 Dec 2026
World Sports Betting Cape Fillies Guineas
Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Racecourse, Cape Town
A feature day in the Cape Summer Festival of Racing; smart summer dress, no theme announced.
majorWed 16 Dec 2026
Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas
Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Racecourse, Cape Town
Race Coast calls it 'the festive Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas'; a holiday crowd in smart summer dress rather than a themed fashion day.

flagshipSat 9 Jan 2027
L'Ormarins King's Plate
Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Racecourse, Cape Town
South Africa's strict blue-and-white race day: the whole crowd dresses in blue and white. The 2027 running is the 166th.
flagshipSat 30 Jan 2027
World Sports Betting Cape Town Met
Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Racecourse, Cape Town
Cape Town's theme-led fashion race day: an annual announced theme that the crowd dresses to, with designer shows and best-dressed contests. The 2027 theme had not been published when read.

Sat 27 Feb 2027
Swiss Derby Day
Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Racecourse, Cape Town
The closing day of the Cape Summer Festival; Race Coast calls it 'the sporting showcase'. Smart summer dress, no theme.

The club has not published the date yet. Each moves onto the calendar when it does.

Date to be announced
Gold Cup day (Greyville)
Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse, Durban
The end-of-season staying feature at Greyville. No fashion programme found.
first Saturday in July
Hollywoodbets Durban July
Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse, Durban
Africa's biggest race-day fashion event. An annual theme is announced months ahead and racegoers, celebrities and student designers dress to it; the 2027 theme is not yet announced.
April (4Racing lists the TAB SA Derby, Premier's Champions Challenge and Empress Club Stakes in April; exact days 'confirmed closer to each meeting')
SA Derby and Champions Challenge (Turffontein autumn features)
TAB Turffontein Racecourse, Johannesburg
Johannesburg's autumn classic days. No theme or fashion contest is published; dress smartly.