The Racecourse

Racecourse Ground

Ground information
Location	Durham, County Durham
Establishment	1843 or earlier
Capacity	8500
End names
City End Pavilion End
Team information
Durham CCC (1992 – 1994) Durham University (1843 – present) Durham MCC University (formerly Durham University Centre of Cricketing Excellence) (2001 – present)
As of March 2015 Source: Cricinfo

The Racecourse is part of Durham University's sports facilities. It contains squash, tennis and fives courts, cricket, rugby, hockey and football pitches and rowing houses. It is located along the River Wear and has been used as a sports ground since at least 1733.

As well as use by Durham University, the Racecourse is known for hosting two annual events, the Durham Regatta and Durham Miners' Gala. Its cricket ground is used for first class cricket and is the home of Durham MCC University (previously Durham University Centre of Cricketing Excellence).

The Racecourse was first recorded as being used for horse racing in 1733; previously the site had been a smithy for the Prior of Durham. At its peak, the course had a stone grandstand and attracted 90,000 spectators for a two-day event in 1873. The Racecourse was also used for other sports in the Nineteenth Century, notably cricket and the Durham Regatta. The land is now owned by the University, which has used it as sports field since the nineteenth century. On 16-17 June 2012 the Racecourse hosted the Olympic torch as part of the London 2012 relay.

Durham Miners' Gala was first held at the Racecourse in 1872, which was the gala's second edition. All editions of the gala have since been held at the Racecourse. The event is typically held in mid July, though has on occasions been held in August. The Racecourse is the location of the speeches held at the culmination of the Gala march. At its peak, 250,000 people attended the Gala.

The Racecourse's most significant facility is its cricket ground, which has been used by Durham University since 1843. It has a capacity (2015) of 8,500.

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