Simply Red at Chester Racecourse 2027

What is Simply Red at Chester Racecourse?

Simply Red play Chester Racecourse on Saturday 7 August 2027, the first UK date of the Summer Funk '27 tour, with Heather Small and Soul II Soul in support. It is a standalone concert with no racing that day, staged on the Open Course, in the centre of the track at the Roodee. Every hospitality package the racecourse sells includes access to the Golden Circle.

Chester is the first of 11 UK shows at 9 venues in summer 2027; the tour itself opens in Lisbon on 16 June 2027, with 27 European shows before the UK leg. The only other UK racecourse date is Newmarket Racecourse on Saturday 21 August 2027, and the whole tour closes at the Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton, on Sunday 22 August 2027.

What do the Bronze, Silver and Gold packages include?

Chester Racecourse sells three hospitality packages for Simply Red, and all three include Golden Circle access. They split on the seat: Bronze is standing, while Silver and Gold come with pre-allocated seating, and each tier has its own food and drink. Alcohol is served to over-18s only, and ID may be required.

Bronze

Golden Circle standing access, a welcome drink, a one-course "street food style" plated menu and a private bar.

Silver

Golden Circle access with pre-allocated seating, a two-course plated menu, half a bottle of wine or two bottles of beer, with soft drinks as an alternative, and a private bar.

Gold

Golden Circle access with pre-allocated seating, a three-course menu, a glass of Laurent-Perrier rosé on arrival and a concierge service.

Is there racing at Chester on 7 August 2027?

Simply Red's Chester night is a concert only: there is no race meeting at Chester Racecourse on Saturday 7 August 2027. The nearest fixtures on the racecourse calendar are the Midsummer Meeting on Saturday 24 July, a Family Fun Day on Sunday 1 August and Powells Jewellery Ladies Day on Saturday 21 August 2027. Simply Red's Newmarket date on 21 August is the tour's raceday, with racing first and the concert after.

What are the rules on the night?

Chester Racecourse's Simply Red event page says personal chairs and gazebos are not permitted, and general admission is standing only. Gate times for 7 August 2027 had not been published by 29 September 2026. Of the published tickets, only Silver and Gold include a seat, with pre-allocated seating in the Golden Circle; Bronze guests have standing access to the Golden Circle.

How do you get to Chester Racecourse for the concert?

Chester railway station is a 20-minute walk from Chester Racecourse, or a 6-minute taxi journey, according to the racecourse. There is no parking available at the racecourse for the Simply Red concert, the racecourse says. For sat nav, it recommends the postcode CH1 4LD; the postal address is The Racecourse, Chester, CH1 2LY.

How big was Chester Racecourse's 2026 concert?

Chester Racecourse says its Tom Jones and Nile Rodgers & CHIC concert on Friday 14 August 2026 drew more than 17,000 fans and was its biggest concert yet. The racecourse does not publish a concert capacity, so that figure is the best guide to the size of a concert crowd at Chester.