If you’re planning your equestrian year ahead, 2026 is shaping up to be a standout season for spectators. From the intensity of CCI5* eventing to the atmosphere of the UK’s biggest indoor shows, the best fixtures combine elite sport, brilliant shopping villages, and that unmistakable horse show buzz you can’t replicate anywhere else.

Below is our pick of the best equestrian events to attend in 2026, with key details to help you book early. Box offices often open a few months before the event, so be sure to bookmark this page and come back to it as the year progresses.

MARS Badminton Horse Trials (CCI5*)

• Date of event: Wednesday 6 – Sunday 10 May 2026
• Price of tickets: From £25 per person admission (see official ticket list for day-by-day pricing)
• URL: https://www.badminton-horse.co.uk/badminton-2026-tickets/

Badminton is one of the most iconic fixtures in the global eventing calendar and a true bucket-list day out for any horse fan. As a CCI5*, it sits at the very top of the sport and is renowned for its atmosphere, scale and the quality of its field.

For most spectators, Badminton is best enjoyed as a long weekend. The week begins with the trot-up on Wednesday, followed by dressage on Thursday and Friday, cross-country on Saturday, and the final showjumping on Sunday – which means you can plan your visit around the phase you love most (or make a full weekend of it).

Badminton’s cross-country track is always a talking point. It’s typically designed by Eric Winter, and the organisers switch the direction each year; in 2026, the track runs clockwise. Expect a course that tests boldness, accuracy and stamina at the highest level.

Badminton is hugely popular, so book early – not just tickets, but also accommodation. Local hotels, B&Bs and campsites can sell out quickly, particularly for the Saturday and Sunday. If you want the full experience, arrive early, pick a few key cross-country viewing spots, and allow time for the trade stands, food and shopping.

Defender Burghley Horse Trials (CCI5*)

• Date of event: Thursday 3 – Sunday 6 September 2026
• Price of tickets: From £10 (online price shown on the official ticketing site; other ticket types vary)
• URL: https://burghley-horse.co.uk/

Burghley is another of the sport’s legendary CCI5* events and is famous for its scale, atmosphere and unforgettable cross-country day. Held in the stunning setting of Burghley House, it’s a must for eventing fans who want to see top-level horses and riders tackle one of the most influential tracks in the world.

If you’re planning your days, the week typically starts with the trot-up on Wednesday, followed by dressage on Thursday and Friday, cross-country on Saturday, and the final showjumping on Sunday.

Cross-country is the headline act and, for many fans, the most popular and the most demanding of the three disciplines. With over four miles of course and around 30 fences, visitors can get close to the action on the Saturday and feel the pace and power of top-level eventing.

Burghley is one of the most popular spectator events in the UK equestrian calendar. If you’re travelling, book tickets early and don’t leave accommodation to chance – nearby options can disappear quickly, especially for cross-country day.

Horse of the Year Show (HOYS)

• Date of event: Wednesday 7 – Sunday 11 October 2026
• Price of tickets: Prices vary by session and seating
• URL: https://hoys.co.uk/tickets/book-tickets/

There is only one HOYS. As the UK’s best-known indoor equestrian show, it’s a major milestone for riders across disciplines, including showjumping. Championship finals represent the peak of a season’s qualification journey, with the highly anticipated Puissance featuring in front of sell-out crowds! The Leading Showjumper of the Year title rewards consistency across the show’s top jumping classes, making it a brilliant storyline to follow from the first day right through to the final presentations.

Showing is at the heart of HOYS, with championship finals that feel like the culmination of an entire season’s qualifying. Expect packed classes across pony and horse types, a serious standard of turnout and performance, and an atmosphere that makes every title genuinely meaningful.

And if you’ve never experienced HOYS in person, the atmosphere is a huge part of the magic: as the lights go down after every prize giving, the arena takes on that purple-blue hue and the celebrations feel electric. It’s the kind of moment that doesn’t translate on a livestream – being there is the point.

HOYS is also a dream for shoppers. The trade stands and retail village are a huge part of the draw, and the energy in the main arena is exactly what makes HOYS such a rite of passage for equestrian spectators.

Royal Windsor Horse Show

• Title of event: Royal Windsor Horse Show
• Date of event: Thursday 14 – Sunday 17 May 2026
• Price of tickets: From £35 adult general entry (day-by-day pricing varies)
• URL: https://rwhs.co.uk/

Taking place from Thursday 14 to Sunday 17 May 2026, the Royal Windsor Horse Show is the only time of year the private grounds of Windsor Castle are open to the public. It delivers top-level international equestrian sport across the FEI disciplines of showjumping, the Puissance, driving and endurance, reaching its pinnacle on the Sunday with the Rolex Grand Prix.

Elsewhere, the show offers four arenas of prestigious showing classes, thrilling international equestrian and military displays, and a huge country lifestyle shopping village – making it a brilliant family day out in spring.

London International Horse Show

• Date of event: December 2026 (dates to be confirmed)
• Price of tickets: Prices vary by session and seating
• URL: https://www.londonhorseshow.com/

If you love the buzz of a big indoor show, the London International Horse Show is one of the most atmospheric fixtures of the year. Held at ExCeL London, it brings together world-class sport, entertainment and festive energy, making it a brilliant (very festive) option for a winter day (or evening) out.

Expect a packed timetable across multiple disciplines. Showjumping, including the Puissance, is a headline draw, with CSI5 classes throughout the week, a Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ qualifier, and the London Grand Prix, plus crowd-pleasers like puissance/six-bar style formats. Dressage fans can usually watch CDI-W FEI Dressage World Cup™ action, including the Grand Prix and Freestyle to Music.

Showing also has a strong following at LIHS, with a dedicated programme in the London Arena featuring a range of finals and series championships across pony and horse types.

Expect top-level competition across major disciplines, crowd-pleasing displays, and plenty to browse around the show’s retail, just in time for Christmas. As soon as 2026 dates and ticket releases are confirmed, it’s worth booking early for the most in-demand sessions.

Bolesworth International (Showjumping)

• Date of event: Provisional dates: 26–29 June 2026 and 2–5 July 2026
• Price of tickets: Early bird adult tickets from £7.50 online (before 31 March); gate prices higher
• URL: http://bolesworth.com/event/bolesworth-international-2026/

Across two summer weekends, Bolesworth showcases world-class showjumping in a setting that feels more like a festival than a traditional horse show. Spectators can watch top-tier equestrian action, including thrilling CSI3* and CSI4* competitions, Longines Ranking classes, and the iconic 1.55m LR Grand Prix and the Puissance.

Alongside the jumping, Bolesworth typically delivers a lively shopping and food offering, making it a good pick for groups where not everyone wants to spend every minute at the ring.

Defender Bramham Horse Trials

• Date of event: Thursday 11 – Sunday 14 June 2026
• Price of tickets: Example pricing shown online includes Sunday adult admission £46 (other days/tickets vary)
• URL: https://bramham-horse.ticketsrv.co.uk/

Bramham is a major summer highlight for eventing fans, known for exciting sport and a brilliant spectator experience. It’s an ideal date for anyone who wants to follow the season beyond the CCI5* fixtures, with the chance to watch emerging talent compete alongside established names. The top-level action includes CCI4-L* and CCI4-S* classes, while the exciting (and hotly anticipated) Burghley Young Event Horse qualifiers add extra buzz to the week. Alongside the main eventing, Bramham also runs arena eventing and showjumping, making it a great all-round day out.

With cross-country day as the big draw, Bramham is also a brilliant place to learn how to watch eventing well: you can pick a few key fences, settle in, and see how different horses answer the questions.

FEI World Championships Aachen 2026 (multi-discipline)

• Title of event: FEI World Championships Aachen 2026
• Date of event: Tuesday 11 – Sunday 23 August 2026
• Price of tickets: From €15 (prices vary by discipline and seat category)
• URL: https://www.aachen2026.com/tickets/

If you want a once-in-a-generation equestrian trip, Aachen 2026 is the big one. The FEI World Championships bring together multiple disciplines on one stage, creating an atmosphere that feels more like a major international sporting festival than a standard horse show.

This is the place to see the sport at its most intense and prestigious, with championship pressure, national pride, and the kind of crowd energy that makes every round feel significant. It’s also a brilliant event for fans who enjoy following different disciplines across a single trip.

Conclusion

Whether you’re a die-hard eventing fan chasing the drama of CCI5*, an indoor-show lover who lives for the buzz of HOYS, or you’re planning a European bucket-list trip to Aachen, 2026 offers something for every kind of equestrian spectator.

If you’re booking just one or two events, prioritise the shows with the strongest sport for your favourite discipline and the best overall day out experience for your group. And if you’re travelling, always check official sites for ticket release dates, parking/camping options, accommodation options and timetable updates.