New Year's Day at Musselburgh Racecourse has sold out for the third year in a row

Scotland’s largest sporting event held on 1 January, and supported by Virgin Bet, is set to host a 6,750 crowd - welcoming in 2026 with a six card fixture featuring more than £125,000 in prize money.

Top quality fields are expected with trainers from across the UK targeting the £50,000 feature race, the Virgin Bet Auld Reekie Handicap Chase, and supporting race the Virgin Bet Hogmaneigh Hurdle worth £30,000, with both screened live on ITV1.

Off the track the East Lothian track has pulled out the stops to ensure revelers can celebrate the New Year in style, blending traditional music, fashion and food offerings throughout the afternoon.

In fact, the Winter Style Awards offer a number of prizes for the best turned out racegoers, supported by Slater Menswear, Tiger Lily Boutique, Primavera Fiore, Champagne Pommery, Edinburgh Gin and Aberlady’s The Leddie hotel.

Racecourse spotters will be on the lookout to identify potential finalists who have a chance of collecting the first prize valued at more than £800.

Young piper and Highland dancer Noah Wylie and Lyra Miller, from Midlothian, will entertain racegoers with a number of performances throughout the day.

Noah, who first picked up the pipes three years ago and plays with the highly respected Glencorse Pipe Band, regularly performs with 8-year-old Lyra, a member of KIC Dance Company in Dalkeith for the last four years.

Both pupils at Newtongrange Primary School, they made their debut performance as part of the school’s centenary celebrations last year. Lyra said

"I love learning the different steps and it's a lot of fun to dance to Noah's great piping. I hope our performance goes well and we’re proud to represent Newtongrange Primary.”

Following the last race at 3.25pm, the party continues for one hour with Kilter providing ceilidh style music in the Highland Fling Marquee and the hugely popular Musselburgh favourites FunkWagen DJs on the decks in the Hogmaneigh Marquee.

Musselburgh Racecourse Head of Marketing and Business Development, Aisling Johnston, said:

“Our traditional New Year’s Day meeting has completely sold out, which underlines the popularity of this much loved annual event. There will be no tickets available for purchase on the day, and we would remind people who didn’t manage to secure a ticket to beware of fraudulent sales, which sadly does happen at this time of the year.

“New Year’s Day at Musselburgh has a special atmosphere and the combination of quality jumps racing and first class food and entertainment is the perfect way to welcome in 2026 with family and friends.”

Gates open on 1 January at 10.30am and the first race is scheduled for 12.30pm. For more information please visit www.musselburgh-racecourse.co.uk