Newbury Racecourse has announced the first headliners for its 2026 Party in the Paddock music raceday series, confirming two major live acts for the opening weekend next July.
Following a record-breaking 2025 season that attracted more than 45,000 racing and music fans, the Racecourse will once again host two blockbuster weekends of racing and post-racing concerts next summer, in partnership with Bauer Media’s leading brands including Hits Radio and Magic.
The 2026 series will begin on Friday 17 July with Gipsy Kings featuring Nicolas Reyes, who will perform live on the Party in the Paddock stage after racing on IRE Incentive Raceday.
Known for blending traditional flamenco with Western pop and Latin rhythms, the Grammy Award-winning group first rose to global prominence with their 1987 self-titled album — a multi-platinum success that introduced hits such as Bamboléo and Volare.
Led by iconic frontman Nicolas Reyes, the Gipsy Kings have dominated World Music charts for more than three decades, selling over 14 million albums worldwide.
The weekend continues on Saturday 18 July, when Ronan Keating returns to Newbury Racecourse for the first time since Boyzone inaugurated the Party in the Paddock series as the venue’s first-ever headliner in 2008.
Performing live after racing on Weatherbys Super Sprint Day, Keating will deliver a hit-filled set spanning nearly thirty years of music, including favourites such as When You Say Nothing at All, Life Is a Rollercoaster, If Tomorrow Never Comes, and Lovin’ Each Day, alongside Boyzone classics.
Beyond his musical achievements, he continues to be a well-loved television presenter and a committed charity ambassador through the Marie Keating Foundation.
Speaking about his return, Ronan Keating said:
“I’m delighted to be returning to Newbury Racecourse next summer – it feels like a full circle moment as Boyzone played the first Party in the Paddock music raceday back in 2008! I have such fond memories of that show, so can’t wait to return to the Racecourse on Saturday 18th July. See you all there!”
Harry Walklin, Marketing Director for Newbury Racecourse, added:
“This summer has seen the Racecourse host its biggest ever summer of music and we’re delighted to announce the Gipsy Kings and Ronan Keating as our first headliners for 2026. For the first time, we’ve got two huge weekends of music and racing to look forward to next year and the announcement of our first artists means the countdown is well and truly on.”
Tickets for Gipsy Kings and Ronan Keating go on general sale at 10.00am on Friday 05 December, with an exclusive pre-sale available from 10.00am on Thursday 04 December for fans who register at newburyracecourse.co.uk/priority.
Hospitality packages for July’s music racedays are available now from £89, with standard ticket prices starting at £24 for adults and £14 for U18s for Gipsy Kings, and £34 for adults and £16 for U18s for Ronan Keating. Two-day music passes begin at £45 for adults and £25 for U18s and include entry to both the racing and the live performances.
Further headliners for the August 2026 weekend — the Summer August Raceday (14 August) and Visit Malta Hungerford Day (15 August) — will be announced in January.
Newbury Racecourse offers free parking at its music racedays, and its on-site train station ensures convenient travel for visitors.
