Race Night: The Complete UK Guide to Kits, Planning & Fundraising
Raise £1,000+ for your charity, school or sports club with race night kits from just £4.99
In short
A race night is a fundraising evening where guests watch pre-recorded horse races on a screen and stake small amounts on the outcome. A typical event with 100 guests raises £1,000 to £1,400. Our digital kits start at £4.99 and can be reused indefinitely.
Jump to: What is a race night? · The rules · How to run one · Revenue example · Packages · FAQs
What Is a Race Night?
A race night is a fundraising event where guests watch pre-recorded horse races on a big screen and stake small amounts on the outcome using a simple tote system. Profits from the tote, ticket sales, raffles and bar takings go to the organising group. Race nights are among the most popular fundraising events in the UK, regularly raising £1,000 to £3,000 in a single evening.
Typically held in village halls, school halls, sports clubhouses and working men’s clubs, race nights work for groups of any size. Guests receive a race card listing the horses and jockeys for each race, make their selections before the off, then watch the action unfold with professional commentary. Between races, organisers run raffles, side games and refreshment sales to boost the total.
The whole evening can be organised in two to three weeks using a ready-made race night kit. Some groups run theirs online instead — see our virtual race night guide, and read the rules below first. Want the full picture? Read our complete guide: What Is a Race Night?
Do You Need a Licence to Run a Race Night?
The Gambling Commission states that you can run a race night for charity without a licence from them, provided you follow the rules for the type of activity you are running. Gambling in Great Britain is regulated by the Gambling Commission under the Gambling Act 2005. The Commission is an independent public body sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
The Commission describes three types of race night. Only two of them can be used for fundraising:
What the rules require
Under non-commercial gaming, the Commission says players must select a horse entirely by chance. You cannot give odds or form to help anyone choose. A recording of a race that has already taken place is acceptable, provided details of the horses are not revealed. No private gain may be made, and all money taken must go to the advertised good cause, though reasonable costs such as prizes and ticket printing may be deducted. Under-18s may take part in a race night run as non-commercial gaming.
Where prizes are paid out in proportion to stakes, the event may fall under non-commercial equal chance gaming, which carries limits on both what a player may be charged per day and the total prize fund. Where prizes are advertised in advance and do not depend on how many people play, the event may instead fall under non-commercial prize gaming, which is governed differently.
Important: the Commission also states that none of these exemptions can be carried out remotely — for example over the internet or social media. We are not lawyers and this page is not legal advice. Read the Commission’s own guidance on fundraising with race nights and, if in doubt, contact your local licensing authority.
How Do You Run a Race Night? Eight Steps
- Pick a date and book a venue with a screen, a projector or a large TV, and speakers.
- Decide which good cause the proceeds support, and tell guests before they play.
- Choose a package and download it. Unzip the files before opening anything.
- Print the race cards and the tote paperwork included in your kit.
- Sell tickets in advance. Recruit two or three volunteers to run the tote table.
- On the night, take selections before each race, then play the race and announce the result.
- Pay out winners, then run a raffle or side game between races to lift the total.
- Count up, bank the proceeds, and tell your supporters what you raised.
A fuller walkthrough is in our guide to running a race night.
Why UK Fundraisers Choose Race Nights
The smart way to raise serious funds for your cause
Save 93% on Setup Costs
Our packages start at £4.99 versus £70+ for traditional race night services. You keep the profit rather than spending it on hire fees.
Multiple Income Streams
Admission tickets, the tote, raffle sales, refreshments and side games work together. See the worked example below.
Set Up Within 48 Hours
Instant access to every file means you can start planning immediately. Ideal when you need to organise a fundraiser quickly.
No Experience Required
If you can press play on a video, you can run this event. Instructions, presenter notes and email support are included.
Run Rain or Shine
Indoor venues mean weather is never a problem. No marquees, no backup plan, and you can schedule year-round.
Proven Format
Over 5,000 organisations have run a race night with our packages. This is an established, reliable way to raise money.
How Much Can a Race Night Raise?
A worked example for a 100-guest event
NET PROFIT
£1,329
From a single two to three hour event
Notes on this example
- These are illustrative figures, not a promise. Your result depends on attendance and pricing.
- The £4.99 package is a one-time purchase and can be reused.
- Venue hire, where charged, is not included.
- Charges to players and prize limits are governed by the rules described above. Check the Gambling Commission guidance before setting your ticket price and stakes.
How Do Race Nights Compare to Other Fundraisers?
What’s Included in a Race Night Kit?
Professional race night content delivered instantly
1. Professional Race Footage
High-definition recordings of real horse races with professional commentary. You get eight races for the evening plus a spare alternate final, so nobody in the room — including you — knows how the last race ends.
2. MC Notes & Tote Tools
Comprehensive MC notes to guide you through the evening, plus tote system tools to manage the betting table easily.
3. Printable Race Card
A professional race card listing the horse names and jockeys for every race. Print as many copies as you need.
4. Result Cards & Tote System
Result tracking sheets and tote calculator tools so your team can manage stakes and payouts confidently throughout the evening.
5. Marketing Materials
Ready-made posters, social media graphics and ticket templates to promote your event.
6. Button-Press Menu System
Unzip the folder, click “PRESS ME” and navigate through the races with simple button presses. A detailed guide and email support are included.
Where Can You Hold a Race Night?
Any room with a screen works. You don’t need a fancy venue.
Community Halls
Village halls, community centres and parish halls. Budget-friendly rates for charitable events, usually with kitchen access.
Average hire: £50–£150
School Halls
Ideal for PTA fundraisers. Built-in projector, kitchen access, and familiar to parents. No hire fee for school events.
Perfect for: PTAs, school sports teams
Sports Clubhouses
Rugby, football and cricket clubs. Built-in bar, parking and atmosphere. Members already know the venue.
Typical capacity: 80–200 guests
Church Halls
Affordable and central. Often offered free of charge, or at nominal cost, for non-profit or charitable purposes.
Great for: churches, charities, community groups
Working Men’s Clubs
Excellent facilities, established bar, stage and screen area. Very supportive of local fundraising.
Built in: bar, sound system, seating
Hotel Function Rooms
For larger events. Professional setup, catering available, easier parking. Higher hire cost, premium experience.
Best for: events of 100+ guests
Trusted by UK Organisations Like Yours
Organisations of every size raise funds with our race night packages.
Schools & PTAs
Fund playground equipment, school trips and classroom resources.
Sports Clubs
Finance new kit, equipment and tournament fees. Popular with members and supporters.
Charities
Support your cause while bringing your community together. Low cost, high impact.
Community Groups
Scouts, guides, Rotary clubs and local societies. A social event that funds your activities.
What Our Customers Say
Real Events. Real Results.
Word for word, exactly as organisers wrote it on our feedback form.
“Everything went well, couldn’t fault it.”
Billy
Pub owner · 100 guests
“Evening was a great success and could not fault the software, instructions and paperwork provided. Everyone had a great time and raised money for our club.… Only thing we would do differently is our sound. We should have used external speakers instead of relying on the TV sound. It was amazing how loud our guests were cheering on their horses, which drowned out the commentary from the race.”
Richard
Club president · Snooker & pool club, Scotland · 60 guests · Raised £2,000
“A really enjoyable evening.”
Asked how we could improve: “Not sure you can, everything ran well.”
Gary Francis
SARAID · East Harling, Norfolk · 45 guests · Raised £1,450
“Really great night and using the package purchased from RaceNight.me.uk made the event run so smoothly. Would highly recommend.”
Spencer McArdle
Hampton Football Club · Solihull · 60 guests · Raised £500
“It was great, everything went well, just a bit poorly supported. Unfortunately we chose a weekend when a lot of village residents were away on holiday, but we are undeterred, we’ll do it again!”
Asked how we could improve: “Nothing, it was excellent throughout.”
Janet Costidell
Nannerch Sports Club · 25 guests · Raised £600
“Great night, our first time to download a race night and after a small hiccup, Dave was excellent helping us sort out the problem, talking to me personally to help. Very impressed with the download and the help.”
Susan
Ladies in Pink · Warwickshire · 97 guests · Raised £1,410
Rated 4.6 out of 5 from 11 verified reviews · 30-day money-back guarantee · Share your own results →
See Exactly What Your Group Could Raise
Adjust the sliders to match your event and watch the total add up in real time.
Want a bigger version with printable results? Use the full race night calculator.
Choose Your Race Night Package
Every package includes immediate digital access and unlimited reuse.
Heritage Film Stock
Classic race night package
- ✓ 8 classic races
- ✓ Original commentary
- ✓ MC notes included
- ✓ Printable race cards
- ✓ Tote calculator tools
- ✓ Instant download
No Compere Package
Mark Johnson commentary
- ✓ 8 HD modern races
- ✓ Plus an alternate final race
- ✓ Mark Johnson commentary
- ✓ MC notes included
- ✓ Printable race cards
- ✓ Tote calculator tools
- — You host the event
Ultimate Package
With virtual compere
- ✓ 8 HD modern races
- ✓ Plus an alternate final race
- ✓ Mark Johnson commentary
- ✓ Virtual compere built in
- ✓ MC notes included
- ✓ Printable race cards
- ✓ Email support
Pig Racing
Family-friendly alternative
- ✓ 10 pig racing videos
- ✓ Family-friendly fun
- ✓ MC notes included
- ✓ Printable race cards
- ✓ Great for children’s events
- ✓ Instant download
All packages include lifetime access and can be used repeatedly.
Secure payment via Stripe. Files delivered to your email immediately.
30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
If you are not completely satisfied with your package for any reason, contact us within 30 days and we will refund you in full.
Race Night FAQs
Do I need a gambling licence to run a race night?
The Gambling Commission states that you can run a race night for charity without a licence from them, provided you follow the rules for the type of activity you are running. Under non-commercial gaming, players must select a horse entirely by chance, no odds or form may be given, and all money taken must go to the advertised good cause after reasonable costs. We are not lawyers and cannot give legal advice. Read the Gambling Commission’s guidance on fundraising with race nights before you plan your event.
How long does a race night last?
Most race nights run for two and a half to three hours, including arrival, an interval, and the races themselves. That covers eight races with betting time between each one. You control the pace, so you can adjust the rhythm to suit your audience.
What technical equipment do I need?
You need a laptop or computer, a projector or large TV, and speakers. Most schools, clubs and halls already have this. If not, a projector can be hired for £30 to £50. See our guide to hosting equipment. We supply the video files as a download, which you unzip before clicking the “PRESS ME” link to launch the menu system.
How much can a race night raise?
A 100-guest event combining ticket sales, the tote, a raffle and bar profit can gross around £1,430 and net roughly £1,329, as set out in the worked example on this page. Results vary with attendance and pricing. Note that charges to players and prize funds are governed by Gambling Commission rules, which you should check before setting your prices.
How far in advance should I plan my race night?
You can run an event within two to three weeks of ordering, because packages are delivered instantly. We recommend four to six weeks so you can secure a venue, sell tickets and build interest. Some organisers plan two to three months ahead for major annual events.
What if I have never run an event like this before?
That is exactly who these packages are designed for. A step-by-step guide walks you through venue setup, ticket pricing and running the tote, and MC notes guide you through the evening. Everything runs from a button-press menu. If you are nervous about compering, the Virtual Compere package builds the host into the videos. Email support is included.
Can I use the same race night package more than once?
Yes. Once purchased, you can run the races as many times as you like. We do not recommend using the same races for the same audience within six months. Most groups buy a new package annually, or alternate between two or three packages if they run several events a year.
Are race nights suitable for all ages?
The Gambling Commission states that under-18s can take part in a race night run as non-commercial gaming. Our races are real horse racing footage, professionally filmed and suitable for family audiences. Many schools run race nights as PTA fundraisers with children present.
What is the difference between your packages?
The differences are film quality and compere options. Heritage Film Stock at £4.99 features classic races with original commentary. The No Compere Package at £29.99 includes eight modern HD races plus an alternate final, with commentary from Mark Johnson, who has called both the Epsom Derby and the Kentucky Derby, plus race cards and tote tools, but you host it yourself. The Ultimate Package at £49.99 adds a virtual compere built into the videos.
Why does the package contain nine races when the evening has eight?
The ninth film is an alternate final race. You choose on the night which of the two finals to play, so nobody in the room can know the result in advance — not even the organiser. It also means you can run the same package twice with a different ending.
How is the package delivered?
Payment is by credit card, debit card, PayPal or bank transfer. Once payment completes you receive download access immediately as a zip file. Extract the contents of the zip folder before opening any files, then click the “PRESS ME” link to launch the menu. The package contains MP4 videos and PDF documents. There is no physical product.
Start Your Fundraising Success Story Today
Join over 5,000 organisations raising funds with race nights
Questions? Contact us
Last updated: July 2026
