Saturday 4th July buy your tickets here

“Watch the world’s greatest horse race from the comfort and safety of your car, within a family bubble grass area. The most fun you could possibly have socially distancing!”

Fitzdares, the premium bookmaker, is bringing the magic of the Derby to the safety of your own car and picnic area. Fitzdares is hosting the world’s first ‘drive-in Derby’ so that Londoners can enjoy the magic and thrills of the Epsom Derby whilst safely socially distancing.

The Epsom Derby is being held ‘behind closed doors’ this year in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This will not hamper the efforts of loyal racegoers, who will be able to recreate their Derby Day picnics in a safe environment while watching all the action on a giant screen. Live commentary will be transmitted to their car radios, so not one iota of fun is missed.

This year is a rare and special treat for racing fans, as there will be two Classic races on the same day, with the fillies’ Oaks also taking place before the Derby. The race card will be full of world-class action with the main spectacle starting at 4.55 pm.

Attendees are encouraged to pack picnics, as they would for the Derby, and dress up in their finest Derby Day outfits.

It’s all about the bubbles, and that’s not just the Champagne. Each car of five family members will be contained in their own ‘bubble’ and given an allocated space on the grass with plenty of room for car and picnic. This will allow them to safely stay as a group while observing government social distancing rules.

Although drinks and food are available on-site, guests will be able to bring their own food and stay safe throughout the entire event.

Each car is priced at £100, with a maximum of five people per car, tickets available here

We think this might be the first spectator sports event to be held in London since the lockdown. This format of watching sport from within cars and their own areas will surely become the new normal for the next few months.

William Woodhams, CEO of Fitzdares said “It has been wonderful to see sport return but a little eerie not hearing the sound of fans enjoying it. With such a spectacle of Horse Racing happening, we couldn’t resist finding an innovative and fun way of enjoying the action. Weirdly it was an old idea, the drive-in movie that inspired us. We hope everyone enjoys a very safe day but with the sound of the racegoers roar back again!