Betway named headline sponsor of the centenary English Greyhound Derby

Betway main Derby sponsor as dates announced

Betway has been confirmed as the headline sponsor of the English Greyhound Derby. The sponsorship is announced alongside the key dates for the 2027 renewal, the centenary of greyhound racing's most prestigious competition, which opens across Thursday 6, Friday 7 and Saturday 8 May and culminates in the Final on Saturday 12 June 2027.

The winner of the 2027 Betway Towcester English Greyhound Derby will collect £125,000, with a total prize fund of £224,000 on offer across all rounds of the competition.

Betway's backing of the Derby forms part of a broader partnership that has seen the Northamptonshire venue renamed Betway Towcester Racecourse, supported by an investment of more than £2 million in the racing surface and spectator facilities. As Principal Strategic Partner, Betway's sponsorship of the sport's flagship event underlines its commitment to greyhound racing and to the long-term future of the competition at Towcester.

First staged in 1927, the 2027 renewal marks the centenary of the English Greyhound Derby, celebrating the history and heritage of one of the sport's most iconic events. The Derby continues to attract the leading greyhounds, trainers and owners from across the country and internationally.

The full round-by-round schedule for the 2027 Betway Towcester English Greyhound Derby is as follows:

First Round: Thursday 6, Friday 7 and Saturday 8 May

Second Round: Friday 14 and Saturday 15 May

Third Round: Saturday 22 May

Quarter-Finals: Saturday 29 May

Semi-Finals: Saturday 5 June

Final: Saturday 12 June

James Chalkley, Head of Racing at Betway Towcester Racecourse, said: 

"The centenary of the English Greyhound Derby is a landmark moment for the sport, and we are hugely grateful to Betway for backing the competition as its headline sponsor. Their support, as part of a wider partnership with the racecourse, gives us real certainty as we plan for the future of the Derby and allows us to build on everything that has already been established at Towcester. We are proud to be staging such a historic renewal here and look forward to welcoming the very best greyhounds, trainers and owners for what promises to be a special centenary running."

Lewis Knowles, PR Manager at Betway, said: 

"The Derby is without doubt the most prestigious and eagerly anticipated event in the greyhound racing calendar, and we're delighted to be the headline sponsor for the race's centenary year. Since the inaugural running in 1927, the English Greyhound Derby has given us some of the most memorable moments in the history of the sport, and we look forward to another thrilling few weeks of action in 2027.

We'd like to thank everyone at Betway Towcester for their hard work in making this partnership possible. We look forward to working closely with the team at the track, alongside the wider greyhound community, to make the centenary race a truly memorable occasion."

Further details regarding the 2027 Betway Towcester English Greyhound Derby, including supporting fixtures and ticketing information, will be confirmed and published in due course.