First look at newly renovated hospitality suites at York Racecourse

The exciting transformation of the Knavesmire Stand fourth floor suites at York Racecourse has been revealed as the venue prepares to unveil a new chapter in its premium hospitality offering for 2026.

Newly released interior images showcase the bold redesign of the flagship Knavesmire Stand Boxes, where contemporary design and bespoke touches promise to offer racegoers a superior raceday experience.

The six-figure refurbishment led by sports and hospitality interior design specialist DT Sports, part of Yorkshire-based Design Tonic, comprises 11 private suites, designed to accommodate up to 280 guests in style.

Positioned on the fourth floor of the Knavesmire Stand, the reimagined suites offer sweeping, uninterrupted views across the course, overlooking the final furlong. Enhanced catering provisions and integrated large-screen technology further enhance the guest experience, bringing a modern, immersive feel to raceday hospitality.

The new spaces also place flexibility at their core, with layouts designed to effortlessly transition from intimate gatherings to larger corporate occasions.

The suites will receive their first public airing at the racecourse’s opening fixture of the season, the Dante Festival, taking place from 13–15 May, offering racegoers an exclusive early glimpse of the upgraded hospitality experience.

Gavin Pattison, facilities manager and project lead at York Racecourse, said: “Our ambition is to deliver a best-in-class hospitality experience, and partnering with DT Sports has given us complete confidence in achieving that.

“Their expertise in creating high-quality, design-led environments, combined with a meticulous attention to detail, has resulted in a collection of suites that truly reflect the racecourse’s high standards and the level of comfort and facilities we want to offer our guests. We’re incredibly excited to see the space come to life at the upcoming Dante Festival.”

With a heritage dating back to 1709, York Racecourse has long been a cornerstone of British racing. Since relocating to the Knavesmire in 1730, the venue has continually evolved, with the Knavesmire Stand itself opening in 1997 as a landmark development.

Today, the racecourse welcomes up to 300,000 visitors and hosts 18 fixtures each summer, cementing its status as one of the UK’s leading racing destinations.

Will Snaith, group sales director at Design Tonic, added: “We’re very proud to have delivered this transformation for one of the UK’s most beloved racecourses. Our aim has been to create interiors that feel both contemporary and timeless, setting the standard for an exceptional hospitality experience.

“Working on such an iconic venue has been a privilege for the entire team and we’re a looking forward to seeing racegoer’s reactions when the suites are fully revealed in the coming weeks.”