The Capannelle Hippodrome is celebrating its recent reopening on Sunday, September 20th with a big celebration open to all, from 12:00 noon until the evening. It's no coincidence that this falls on the 100th anniversary of the major renovation in 1926, which gave the facility the appearance it still retains today.
Sunday's rich program includes eight horse races, guided tours of venues normally closed to the public, music, children's activities, and street food. This day is dedicated not only to horse racing enthusiasts, but also, and above all, to families and anyone who wants to rediscover one of the capital's most historic and iconic sites.
The celebrations for the reopening of the hippodrome are all the more significant given that they come after a long period in which, having avoided the concrete risk of closure, the facility has been revived thanks to the collaboration between Rome City Council and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty, and Forestry, and with management entrusted to Zètema Progetto Cultura. September 20th is therefore the first major public event of this new phase in which racing has finally resumed, the tracks have been restored, and the racecourse workers have regained their jobs. It is an invitation to return to experiencing the racecourse for what it has always been, a sporting, historical, and social asset for the city, now once again accessible to all. This occurs one hundred years after its major renovation, which symbolically links today's rebirth to that of a century ago.
The program for the day is as follows:
The hippodrome opens at 12 noon with the street food and picnic area, as well as entertainment for children and families, offering an outdoor lunch amid the greenery of the facility. From 2:40 PM to 6:50 PM, the eight scheduled races will take place, the heart of the day's sporting action, with awards being given to the owners, jockeys, and trainers of the winning horses.
From 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM, the Pony Village offers fun and recreational activities for children, involving pony rides. Also from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM, the hippotours for families depart, free guided tours that take you behind the scenes of the racetrack. The tour takes in the Club House and the historic Weighing Room, where the tradition of weighing jockeys is explained; the saddling ring, for a close-up look at the horses and the preparations that precede their entry onto the track; the awards ring; and finally, a dedicated van takes you to the starting gate area, where you can discover the mechanics and the tension of the start. The tours take place in six sessions of 20 people, departing at 2:00 PM, 2:35 PM, 3:15 PM, 3:50 PM, 4:20 PM, and 4:55 PM. Meet 15 minutes prior to departure at the information point in the Club House. Reservations are required at 060608.
And also: throughout the day, the Club House hosts a stamp exhibition dedicated to the history of the hippodrome; from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM, the party ends with a lounge music DJ set, to greet the sunset over the track.
Useful Information
•Where: Capannelle Hippodrome, Via Appia Nuova 1245, Rome
•When: Sunday, September 20, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 9:30 PM
•Admission: Free
•Hippotours: Free, reservations required at 060608
Race times and guided tours may be subject to change based on the schedule; the final program will be published on Friday, September 18th on the hippodrome website: https://ippodromocapannelle.roma.it/eventi-e-spettacoli/capannelle-festa-riapertura-20-settembre
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