Greyhound racing has taken place in England since 1926, so it has a rich history here. Some of the most valuable and prestigious races are run in this country in the sport and hundreds of thousands visit the greyhounds every year.
Here is a look at the leading greyhound stadiums to visit and everything you need to know about them.
Towcester
Towcester is now home to the most famous greyhound race, the Greyhound Derby. It first held the race in 2017, taking over from Wimbledon. This year’s contest will be the seventh time the Northamptonshire venue has staged the race, and Bockos Diamond is the 14/1 favourite for those looking to bet on greyhounds.
The leading greyhounds in the UK and Ireland are set to feature in the 2025 Greyhound Derby. After winning the Irish Derby last year, Bockos Diamond is one of the leading sports betting tips for the event. He has become a huge superstar in the Emerald Isle, breaking the track record on more than one occasion at Shelbourne Park.
If you want to make your visit to Towcester Stadium extra special, there are some excellent hospitality packages available. You can book into the Empress Restaurant or hire a private box for your friends and family on the day.
Where: London Rd, Towcester, NN12 6LB
Where to stay: Towcester Racecourse is just 10 miles outside of Northampton, so many greyhound fans stay there and make the short journey by bus or taxi. The Grand and Ettington Park Hotel are two of the leading hotels in the town if you have the budget to do so.
Romford
Just east of London, Romford Greyhound Stadium is a popular venue for fans of the sport in the capital. Friday and Saturday evenings are particularly busy fixtures at the track which has hosted greyhound racing since 1929.
Romford, famous for once holding cheetah racing, have several Category One races at their track, including the Coronation Cup, Essex Vase and Golden Sprint. These events take place over several rounds, with finals night often attracting big crowds, creating an electric atmosphere.
Where: London Road, Romford, Essex, RM7 9DU
Where to stay: Spark by Hilton is the pick of the hotels in Romford, while both Premier Inn and Travelodge offer fair rates. You also have the option of staying in Central London and travel to Romford by train.
Hove
On the south coast of England, Hove Greyhound Stadium is a great hotspot for tourists in either Brighton or Hove. They have meetings five days a week, so there are plenty of opportunities to visit if you are in that region.
With Brighton in midtable in the latest standings in the Premier League, the south coast has become a hotbed for top class sport, including greyhounds. The track hosts the Olympic, Regency and Sussex Cup, three of the biggest events in greyhound racing.
Where: Nevill Road, Hove, BN3 7BZ
Where to stay: There is no shortage of hotels on the seafront in Brighton, with the Leonardo Royal Hotel and The Grand Brighton being the picks. There are also plenty of guesthouses and hotels in Hove, including The Clermont.
Enjoy your trip to one of the above stadiums and as always, check out their official websites for information on ticketing and their event calendars.
