A Day at the Races at Arlington Park.
Arlington International Racecourse, 2200 W. Euclid Avenue, Arlington Heights, IL 847-385-7500
Getting there
Arlington Park is an easy train ride from downtown. Take the Metra Union Pacific Northwest line with a $10 weekend pass good for unlimited Metra rides on Saturday and Sunday from Ogilvie Transportation Center to the Arlington Park station. Regular one-way fare $6.75. Other fare options are the $7 Weekend Passes Saturday or Sunday Day Pass is good for unlimited rides on either Saturday or Sunday. Or the $10 All-day Metra Pass available thru April good unlimited rides Saturday and Sunday.
You will be assessed a $5 surcharge for buying a ticket on the train if an agent or vending machine is available at the station where you boarded. You can also buy a weekend pass on the Ventra app. Save time with Ventra Mobile Ticket app
As you would expect there are many changes this year at Arlington due to Covid. Live racing and entertainment returns April 30 – September 25, 2021.
Arlington Park will have 68 live race days with opening weekend featuring the Kentucky Oaks (April 30, 2021) and the Kentucky Derby (May 1, 2021). The schedule includes racing and entertainment on Mother’s Day and Father’s Day and the return of the July Fourth Independence Day celebration and the Festival of Racing.
- There will be no General Admissions in 2021 due to capacity limits.
- Tickets will only be sold one month in advance of race dates. Tickets will only be sold online. No onsite ticketing will be available.
- There will be no promotional events in 2021.
- Coolers or Carry-Ins containing outside food and beverages are not permitted. Carry-in policy
- 2021 Health and Safety regulations
- All other 2021 Policies
2021 Ticket sales schedule:
On Sale April 15 12:00PM: Race dates April 30–May 29, 2021
On Sale May 12 12:00PM: Race dates June 3– June 26, 2021
On Sale June 9 12:00PM: Race dates July 2– July 31, 2021
On Sale July 7 12:00PM: Race dates August 1–August 28, 2021
On Sale August 11 12:00PM: Race dates September 4– September 25, 2021
Arlington Million renamed Mr. D’s Stakes On Sale July 14: Race date August 14, 2021
2021 Racing schedule The schedule wouldn’t open on Arlington’s website. I pulled it from the Illinois Racing Board’s website
- April 26-May 31, racing 2 days per week on Fridays and Saturdays. Live racing begins on April 30. Dark April 26-April 29 and May 7, racing on May 9.
- June 1-June 30, racing 3 days per week on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Racing on June 20.
- July 1-August 14, racing 4 days per week on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Dark July 1.
- August 15-August 31, racing 4 days per week on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Dark August 4 and 11, racing on August 1 and 8.
- September 1-September 30, racing 3 days per week on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Dark September 2, 3 and 26-30, racing on September 5.
2021 Hours
Gates open at 1:00pm. Post time is 2:25PM and last race is around 6:30PM. Ordinarily I list which Union Pacific Northwest (UP-NW) Metra trains to take to the Arlington Park stop. Due to COVID-19, Metra trains are operating on alternate schedules that will be updated regularly as demand increases. For the latest schedules, click here.
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2022
General Admission Tickets go on sale April 1, 2019 10:00AM
General Admission: Entrance fees vary by date. Friday, Saturday, Sunday: Adults $8/Kids 4-17 $4 (online only). There is a $1 charge per order for online ticket purchases. There is a $2 surcharge per ticket if you buy purchase at the gate. Additional entrance fees may apply on premium days, holidays, fireworks and special events. Purchase tickets in advance here.
25% off Value Days Thursdays
Thursdays July-September are Value Days at Arlington! Value Day features discounted pricing on admission, food & beverage, and seating. No live racing/Value Day on August 29th or September 5th.
Party in the Park Fridays
If you decide to sneak out early from work on a Friday gates open at 2:00pm and racing starts at 3:15PM-6:45PM. There’s a train to Arlington at 1:30-2:20PM. Return to downtown is at 6:29PM or 8:29PM. Regular Metra fares apply. $3 beer and food, live bands, and more. College students get free general admission on Friday’s with valid ID at the box office.
Family Day Sundays
On select Sundays there are kids activities including pony rides, a petting zoo and specialty kid’s meals in the Picnic Grove. Look for Pony Express passes under ticketing.
Regular Hours
Gates open at 12:00pm on Saturday-Sunday. From May-Sept post time is 1:25PM and the last race is around 4:45PM.
You can take the Metra to the track at either 10:30AM-11:20AM and wait for the gates to open or at 12:30PM-1:20PM and miss the first race.
On Saturday’s the Metra train head back downtown is at 4:29PM or 6:29PM so you’ll either have to leave before the 8th race or wait at Ditka’s around the corner I’m not sure where. Ditka’s closed December 2018. On Sunday’s the train is at 5:29PM.
Dining
Arlington offers a wide range of food and beverage options. Click here. Call 847-870-RACE (7223) for reservations. They also allow you to bring in non-commercially prepared food and non-alcoholic beverages. You have to buy a $5-$8 cooler pass. Complete carry-in rules.
