In a bid to attract a fresh younger audience to horse racing, there is a new evening series starting this winter – Friday Night Live – that will combine all weather action with DJ, music sets and even speed dating.
The first Friday Night Live will get under starter’s orders at Wolverhampton on 9th January, with a monster NINE-RACE card.
So, let’s explain a bit more about what you can expect.
What Is Horse Racing’s New Friday Night Live Series? 🏇🎧
Horse racing seems to be in the spotlight a lot at the moment.
With big topics like – contentious bookmaker affordability checks, poor prize money or dwindling crowd numbers at the Cheltenham Festival – often dominating the sport of kings front pages.
However, in a bid to try and combat one of the main issues – getting new blood interested in horse racing.
There is a new series starting this winter to attract younger, more student profiles into the sport.
Step forward – FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE.
Which is the brainchild of Arena Racing Company (ARC), who own the three tracks hosting the action, plus ITV Racing and an events and media company called Invade, that specialise in sporting trips for students.
Throw these three into the mixing pot – and out pops LIVE horse racing, mixed with LIVE music and DJ sets.
Okay, some might be saying having music events at the races it’s anything new.
Let’s be honest, most tracks have been doing this for over a decade at their summer fixtures to attract bigger crowds.
However, it seems the purpose of the Friday Night Live horse racing series is to target the non-racing side of the evening to the younger viewer (18-25 year-olds) – maybe those that might not have heard of Madness, Rick Astley or Tom Jones.
While, in addition to the live DJ sets – that will be between races and after the final horse racing contest – there is expected to be bundles more going on for the youngsters.
Including speed-dating and free drinks – what can possibly go wrong? 😀
The Friday Night Live horse racing series will see FIVE fixtures – all on, you guessed it, Friday nights.
Running from 9th January to the 27th March, with the venues Wolverhampton, Newcastle and Southwell, who all have AW tracks and floodlight facilities.
Friday Night Live Dates and Fixtures 2026 🗓️
- January 9th – Wolverhampton
- February 6th – Newcastle
- February 20th – Southwell
- March 20th – Wolverhampton
- March 27th – Newcastle
Will Friday Night Live Be On ITV Racing? 📺
Yes, the Friday Night Live races will be shown on the ITV Racing schedule.
With the action hosted by former jockey Megan Nicholls.
And the analysis most weeks coming from Adele Mulrennan and Leonna Mayor, and commentary by Stewart Machin
ITV will be showing ALL of the races at each meeting.
Meaning a bumper nine races on the opening fixture at Wolverhampton on Friday 9th January 2026.
With seven of the NINE Wolverhampton races live on ITV4 – starting at 5:30pm.
WATCH: As Invade’s Founder Dominic Matcham Explains More About The Horse Racing Friday Night Live Series
Friday Night Live Horse Racing Tips and Best Bets 📝
Ahead of each Friday Night Live meeting, SportsCasting’s Andy Newton will be on hand with his best bets.
He’ll give his 1-2-3 horse racing tips for each race, as well as some useful trainer and jockey stats.
These will hopefully point punters in the direction of a few winners.
Starting with his Wolverhampton ITV Racing tips for Friday 9th January.
While Andy also provides readers with his daily horse racing tips and cheat sheet.
These include his popular NAP, NB, Lucky 15, Hot Trainers and Lay of the Day features – all for FREE.
Friday Night Live Tickets and Cost 🎟️
The tickets for the first Friday Night Live horse racing fixture at Wolverhampton are FREE for Invade account holders.
Then the next meetings will be £10 each.
Gates open at 3pm, with the first race at 4:25pm.
Children under 17 go free too when accompanied by an adult and don’t require a ticket in advance.
While admission to the Grandstand at Wolverhampton is £19.50.
With other ticket options also available when visiting the Wolverhampton racecourse site.
