The Del Mar Bing Crosby Season returns Friday, November 6, 2026, and continues through Sunday, November 29. The fall meet brings 13 days of racing to Del Mar Racetrack, with most programs scheduled Friday through Sunday plus a special Thanksgiving Day card on Thursday, November 26. The meet is named for Bing Crosby, one of the founders who helped launch Del Mar in 1937.
New to the track? Start with our Del Mar horse racing guide for an overview of the racetrack, dining and what to expect on race day.
2026 Racing Dates and Post Times
The scheduled race days are November 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28, and 29. First post is at 12:30 PM on regular race days. Thanksgiving Day starts earlier, with first post at 11:00 AM. Gates open approximately 1.5 hours before first post, giving guests time to enter, find their seats, review the program, and explore the grounds.
Opening Day is Friday, November 6 at 12:30 PM. Diamond Club members receive free admission on Opening Day, according to Del Mar. Every Friday also features Jockey Box promotions, with current offers listed on the track calendar.
Major Stakes and Closing Weekend
The Bing Crosby meet features 15 stakes races, including several graded races. Highlights include the Bob Hope Stakes on November 15, Native Diver Stakes on November 21, Red Carpet Stakes on Thanksgiving, and Hollywood Turf Cup on November 27.
The biggest racing weekend arrives November 28 – 29. Saturday, November 28 includes the Grade I Hollywood Derby, along with the Seabiscuit Handicap and Jimmy Durante Stakes. Sunday, November 29 features the Grade I Matriarch Stakes plus the Cecil B. DeMille Stakes, Bayakoa Stakes and Stormy Liberal Stakes. Del Mar also designates November 26 – 29 as the FanDuel Racing Turf Festival.
2026 Ticket Prices
Del Mar lists racetrack admission at $8. Grandstand seats and box seats are listed from $9 to $16, while trackside dining tables range from $70 to $187 per table. Ticket prices and inventory can vary by date, so visitors should confirm the selected race day before purchase.
Children age 17 and under receive free admission and can access discounted grandstand seating when accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Guests must be at least 18 to wager. Active-duty and retired military personnel and their dependents are admitted free each day with appropriate military identification at the designated Stretch Run gates.
What to Know Before You Go
Daily programs are included with admission. Del Mar’s fall schedule is compact, so weekends can feel busy, especially Opening Day and the Thanksgiving closing stretch. Arriving when gates open is useful for first-time visitors who want time to understand the paddock, betting windows, seating areas and race-day flow.
The Turf Club is a private members-only area with a dress code, and guests must be accompanied by a member. Other ticket types are available for general visitors, including admission, reserved seating, box seating and dining options.
Racing on Thanksgiving morning? Families looking for a different holiday tradition can also check out the OSide Turkey Trot in North County. For more sports coverage, visit our sports category.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Bing Crosby Season?
The 2026 Bing Crosby Season runs November 6 – 29, 2026, with 13 days of racing.
What time do races start?
First post is 12:30 PM on most race days and 11:00 AM on Thanksgiving Day. Gates open approximately 1.5 hours before first post.
How much is general admission?
Del Mar currently lists racetrack admission at $8 for the 2026 Bing Crosby meet. Grandstand and box seats are listed from $9 to $16.
Is there racing on Thanksgiving?
Yes. Del Mar holds a special Thanksgiving Day card on Thursday, November 26, with first post at 11:00 AM and the Red Carpet Stakes on the program.
When is the Hollywood Derby?
The Grade I Hollywood Derby is on Saturday, November 28, 2026. The Grade I Matriarch Stakes follows on Sunday, November 29.
