Full details announced regarding StarSports/TRC Derby Festival

DETAILS of the 'Festival' aspect of the Star Sports/TRC English Derby have been announced with organisers Greyhound Racing UK promising "something never seen before" at Towcester.

Live bands will be playing after each night of the £175,000-to-the-winner Classic with a full programme of events planned for the day and night of the gala final on Saturday 14th June. 

Themed nights will be staged throughout the five weeks' Festival duration with bands featuring after racing each evening with live music from acts such as Urban, Funk Odyssey, One Night Stand and many more.

Come the day of the final, Towcester promises something never seen before at the venue.

Doors will open at 10am with a whole host of activities for all the family to enjoy before racing that evening when the first race is scheduled for 5.44pm with the Greyhound Derby final itself at 9.15pm and the last race at 9.55pm. 

A KidZone will be housed inside a large vintage tent, while a packed programme throughout the day will include professional entertainers, jugglers, unicyclists, face-painting artists, magicians and much more.

Young festival-goers will also have the opportunity to enjoy on-stage games and ‘try-it-yourself’ challenges.  A funfair will be run from 10am to 5pm, bringing thrills and excitement for every age group with dodgems, a climbing wall and trampolines, as well as test-your-strength strikers and an inflatable bungee run challenge.

For those seeking a greater adrenaline rush, visitors can head over to the Derby Racer or the Miami Bench Ride.

There will be a variety of food stalls to refresh festival racegoers throughout the day. Music will begin at 11.30am with The Revellers Steel Band with Pure Genius to follow at 2.15pm.

Further acts – including the festival headliners at 3.45pm – will be announced closer to the event.  At 5pm there will a FanCave Takeover with an hour of entertainment and fan-focused fun until the National Anthem plays and Towcester heads into racing mode with the first of 15 races making up Star Sports English Greyhound Derby Final night.

After racing, visitors are welcome to continue the celebrations into the night with a disco in the Star Sports Lounge from 10.20pm.  

A spokesman said: “Whether you’re a lifelong greyhound racing fan, a family looking for a great day out, or simply someone who loves great music and delicious food, the 2025 Star Sports English Greyhound Derby promises an unforgettable experience.” 

Full 2025 Star Sports/TRC English Derby schedule