National Greyhound Week kicks off this coming Monday

National Greyhound Week  highlights

National Greyhound Week (NGW) is nearly here as the popular event returns for its third consecutive year.

This nationwide celebration of licensed British greyhound racing has become a key fixture in the racing calendar, drawing both seasoned enthusiasts and new fans to the track.

NGW 2025 runs from Monday 25 August to Sunday 31 August, and will see tracks across the country host special themed events aimed at showcasing the sport’s wide appeal and family-friendly nature.

In addition to the tracks doing their own events, the GBGB will also be taking its NGW Roadshow to licensed stadia up and down the country again, beginning at Monmore Green and Central Park on Monday. This will involve GBGB representatives, including Regional Regulatory Vets, being present to speak with spectators about everything from getting involved with ownership to homing a retired racer.

Here is the full schedule for the NGW Roadshow:

• Monday 25th August: Monmore Green and Central Park
• Wednesday 27th August: Harlow and Yarmouth
• Thursday 28th August: Newcastle
• Friday 29th August: Nottingham and Sheffield
• Saturday 30th August: Romford
• Sunday 31st August: Hove, Sunderland, Pelaw and Valley

Racegoers will have the opportunity to meet both racers and retired greyhounds at tracks during the week, with many tracks partnering with local homing centres to bring ex-racers along who are searching for their forever homes.

All tracks will be running their own events, here are some of the highlights:

Central Park

Family fun day on August Bank Holiday Monday, with a dedicated owners' night planned the day after.

The Sittingbourne venue will open its doors to families and groups of friends looking to round-off the Bank Holiday weekend in style on Monday August 25, with a 10-race card starting shortly before 3pm. 

And to mark the occasion, a one-off Family Bundle offer for just £10 has been launched with the ticket permitting entry for two adults and up to four children. 

Owners of greyhounds which race at the track will be treated to an evening of racing and a buffet the following day in recognition of their investment to the sport with race winner presentations organised for each race. 

Monmore 

The Bank Holiday Monday afternoon meeting will be the flagship event of the week, featuring:

• An ice cream van

• Face painting

• Meet & greet with retired greyhounds from Greyhound Trust Wolverhampton

In addition, Monmore will raise funds for both Prostate Cancer UK and Children With Cancer UK via a charity raffle. Prizes include a free meal for four in the track's viewing restaurant.

Sheffield

The Owlerton Stadium Family Fun Day will take place on Monday August 25. 

There will be unlimited rides and inflatables with a wristband, along with craft zones and an under 5s play area. Street food and sweet treats will be on offer, plus a live DJ and plenty of stalls to explore. 

Sheffield’s NGW Race is being held on Friday 29th August, where they will be celebrating their fantastic community of owners.

On Saturday August 30, Country Night will take place with live music from Tommy Coyle after racing. Themed drink offers and race night excitement will make this a night to remember.

Sunderland

Family Fun Day on August Bank Holiday Monday, featuring 10 live races from 2.45pm.

Racegoers can take advantage of the track’s one-off family bundle for £20, which includes admission for two adults and up to four children, plus a drink, a race card and a goody bag for each young racegoer.

There’ll be children’s entertainment, a colouring corner, fancy dress competition and a group of retired greyhounds will parade ahead of racing before meeting racegoers in the public enclosures.

The track will also operate a dedicated Owners Night on Tuesday August 26 to thank those who invest in the sport with trophy presentations organised for each race.

Sports clubs and not-for-profit organisations are then invited to get involved in the stadium’s Summer Fund-Racer on Friday August 29. The evening will see participating teams receive 100 tickets for the fixture free of charge to sell to members plus friends and family, with each cause retaining all profits generated from ticket sales.

A Sunday meet and greet will then be held on August 31 to round-off the week’s celebrations with Sunday lunch being served in the venue’s panoramic view restaurant for those who wish to upgrade their race day experience.

Yarmouth

For their dedicated NGW race meeting on Tuesday 27th August, the track will be offering free entry for all children and family-oriented activities alongside an exciting series of races.

Local greyhound rehoming charity Yarmouth Homefinders, along with GREYS – Finding Homes for Hounds, will also be attending the track to speak with spectators about the joys of adopting a retired racing greyhound.

They will have with them some of their retired racers who are awaiting adoption, offering an opportunity for spectators to meet and interact with these ex-sporting legends.

Hove

Family fun day on Sunday 31st August. As well as being able to meet the greyhounds, there will also be free themed activity booklets, gift bags and rosettes for all children.

Romford

Family Fun morning on Saturday 30th August.

Star Pelaw