Monmore Race Times: When Do Races Start in 2026?

Knowing when the first race starts at Monmore Green sounds like a trivial detail until you get it wrong. Turn up twenty minutes late to an evening meeting and you have missed the opener, lost your chance to assess the early track conditions, and started the night on the back foot. Turn up an hour early for an afternoon card and you are sitting in a half-empty car park wondering whether you got the day wrong. Monmore race times follow a consistent pattern, but that pattern varies depending on whether the meeting is an afternoon BAGS fixture or an evening open card, and the specific timings can shift between seasons and for feature events.

This guide sets out the standard Monmore race times for 2026, covers the differences between afternoon and evening schedules, and points you to the most reliable sources for checking today’s exact times before you leave the house.

Afternoon Meetings: Start Times and Typical Schedule

Afternoon meetings at Monmore run under the BAGS banner — the Bookmakers’ Afternoon Greyhound Service, a system that provides live racing content to betting shops across the UK during the daytime hours when evening fixtures are not available. Monmore typically stages afternoon meetings on weekdays, with the exact days varying depending on the BAGS fixture rota and time of year. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons are the most common slots, though the schedule can shift when other tracks in the Premier Greyhound Racing network adjust their own cards.

The first race at a typical Monmore afternoon meeting is scheduled between 11:30 AM and 1:00 PM, depending on the day and the national BAGS timetable. The most common start time for the opening race falls around midday or shortly after. BAGS meetings are designed to fill a broadcasting window, so the timing is driven by the needs of the betting shop schedule rather than by spectator convenience.

Races are spaced at intervals of approximately twelve to fifteen minutes. A standard card of twelve races starting at noon would see the last race at approximately 2:45 to 3:15 PM, giving a total meeting duration of just under three hours. Some BAGS cards are shorter — ten races rather than twelve — in which case the meeting wraps up closer to 2:30 PM. The interval between races is fixed by the broadcasting schedule, so there is little variation within a meeting: once you know the first race time, you can calculate the approximate off-time for every subsequent race by adding twelve to fifteen minutes per race.

Afternoon meetings at Monmore attract a different crowd to the evening cards. Attendance in the stadium is typically sparse — many of these meetings are effectively closed-door events run for the benefit of betting shop and online customers watching via SIS. If you do attend in person, you will find a relaxed atmosphere, short queues at the tote, and a chance to study the racing without the noise and bustle of a Saturday night. Admission is usually free or at a nominal charge, making afternoon meetings a low-cost option for anyone who wants to watch live racing during the week.

One practical consideration for afternoon visitors: the restaurant and hospitality areas may not be fully operational during daytime meetings. Bars and basic food concessions are normally open, but the full restaurant service is typically reserved for evening events. If you are planning to attend an afternoon meeting, check with the stadium in advance to confirm which facilities will be available.

Evening Meetings: Thursday and Saturday Race Times

Evening meetings at Monmore are the main attraction. These are the fixtures that draw the biggest crowds, offer the strongest racing, and generate the atmosphere that makes a night at the dogs worth the trip. In 2026, Monmore’s primary evening slots are Thursday and Saturday, though additional evening meetings may be scheduled around feature events or bank holidays.

The first race on a standard evening card is typically scheduled between 6:30 PM and 7:15 PM. Thursday nights and Saturday nights may differ slightly in their exact start time, so checking the specific time for the evening you plan to attend is always worth the thirty seconds it takes. General admission for evening meetings is £7 for adults, with free entry for under-18s, and gates usually open thirty to forty-five minutes before the first race to allow time for arriving, collecting a racecard, and finding a position.

Evening cards at Monmore normally feature twelve races, with the same twelve-to-fifteen-minute intervals as afternoon meetings. A twelve-race card starting at 7:00 PM will see the final race at approximately 9:30 to 9:45 PM. If you need to catch a bus or have booked a taxi for a specific time, working backward from race twelve gives you a reliable estimate of when to plan your departure. Leaving after race ten, roughly thirty minutes before the end, is a common compromise for those relying on public transport.

The racing itself is typically stronger on evening cards than at afternoon meetings. Evening fixtures tend to feature higher-graded races, attract better-quality entries, and occasionally include open events that sit outside the normal grading structure. For bettors, this means more competitive fields, tighter margins between dogs, and a market that is generally more efficient — though also more rewarding when you do identify genuine value.

Feature nights follow a different schedule. When Monmore hosts events like the Gold Cup or Puppy Derby heats, the card may start earlier or run later to accommodate additional races, presentations, and on-track entertainment. These events are also more likely to sell out the restaurant, so booking ahead is essential if you want a table rather than a standing spot at the rail.

Where to Check Today’s Monmore Race Times

Race times at Monmore are generally consistent, but they are not carved in stone. Weather can delay or cancel meetings, fixture swaps between PGR tracks can alter the schedule at short notice, and feature events can move start times. Checking before you travel is a habit that will save you frustration sooner or later.

The most reliable source for today’s Monmore race times is the track’s own social media presence. Monmore’s official accounts post meeting confirmations and any schedule changes on the day, which makes them the quickest way to verify that tonight’s card is running as expected. SIS Racing, which broadcasts BAGS and evening fixtures to betting shops and online platforms, also publishes daily fixture lists with confirmed first-race times.

Racing Post’s greyhound section lists Monmore fixtures with race-by-race times, and it is the most detailed source for anyone who wants to see the full card, including trap draws and form, before the meeting begins. At The Races provides similar information and offers replays of previous meetings, which is useful if you missed a race and want to review the result before the next card. Betting shop websites and apps — particularly those operated by the major chains — display Monmore race times as part of their greyhound racing coverage, often alongside odds and quick-bet options.

If you are at the stadium itself, the racecard distributed at the entrance lists every race time for that meeting. Screen displays inside the venue show the countdown to the next race, and the public address system announces when traps are being loaded. Once you are inside the building, the information finds you — but getting there at the right time in the first place requires a quick check before you leave. Make it a routine: check the first-race time, add your travel time, and leave with a comfortable margin. Monmore race times are predictable enough that this takes less than a minute and prevents the one mistake that turns a good evening into a rushed one.