MAURITIUS · SPORT
Key Facts
- The date Sunday 6 December 2026, last race day of the season; Saturday 5 December also races.
- Where it is Champ de Mars racecourse, Port Louis, Mauritius.
- US Eastern time Mauritius is nine hours ahead of New York; the race card is not published.
- Tickets Admission prices and the official seller are not yet confirmed.
- How to watch in the US No US broadcast or stream is confirmed.
Mauritius closes its horse racing season on Sunday 6 December 2026 at the Champ de Mars racecourse in the capital, Port Louis. The fixture calendar also lists a meeting on Saturday 5 December, so a visitor can see two days of racing.
For US readers it is a rare winter-sun trip built around a racecourse that dates from 1812. This guide covers the schedule in Eastern time, what the racing club has and has not published, and how to travel and stay safe.
What the Season Finale Is and Why It Matters
The Mauritius Turf Club Jockey Club, which organises racing on the island, planned 27 race days between 18 April and 6 December 2026. Its provisional calendar, published in January, lists the Coupe d’Or, one of the season’s major races, on 6 December.
The club called that calendar provisional and said it could still change, so check the finale date again in early December. The fixture lists we read on 30 October still show Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 December.
The Champ de Mars is the oldest racecourse in the southern hemisphere and a major social occasion in Mauritius. We could not confirm a crowd figure for the finale.
In Plain English
The Champ de Mars is the island’s racecourse, in central Port Louis, and the Mauritius Turf Club is the club that runs it. A meeting means one day of racing, and a race card is the list of races, horses and start times for that day.
The Coupe d’Or, French for Gold Cup, is one of the season’s feature races. Mauritian racing uses a tote, a system in which the club pools bets, and this guide gives no betting tips and links to no betting service.
Date, Time and US Eastern Schedule
The finale is on Sunday 6 December 2026, and the club has not published the race card or start times. Mauritius races are normally run in the afternoon local time, but we could not confirm the finale schedule.
Mauritius stays on UTC+4 all year, with no daylight saving. In December New York is on standard time, UTC-5, so Mauritius is nine hours ahead.
As a guide, an afternoon race at 1 p.m. in Mauritius is 4 a.m. Eastern, and a race at 4 p.m. is 7 a.m. Eastern. That is an example only, because the real card is not published.
Central time is ten hours behind Mauritius, and Pacific time is twelve hours behind. Check the confirmed card in the first week of December before you plan an early alarm.
Tickets and Entry
We could not confirm an official seller or admission prices for the finale, because the racing club’s website did not open for us. Do not rely on old tariffs found online, since some of them date from 2018.
Older visitor guides describe free access to the open plain and paid places in the stands, but we could not confirm this season’s arrangement. Ask your hotel or the club for current gate prices and for any dress rules in the enclosures.
Buy only at the club’s own gates or from sellers it names, because street resale can mean fake tickets. Carry some rupees in cash as a backup, since we could not confirm which cards the gates accept.
Betting on Mauritian racing is licensed and for adults only, aged 18 and over. You can attend a race day without betting.
How to Watch From the US
No US broadcast or stream is confirmed for the finale, and we found no confirmed live stream for US viewers. The racing club publishes results online, but results are not a live picture.
If the races run in the afternoon as usual, they would fall in the early morning hours in the United States. Most American fans who want to see the finale will therefore have to travel.
Getting There From the United States
Mauritius is far from the United States, and we did not verify airline routes or fares for December. Expect at least one connection and price flights early.
The State Department says US citizens need no visa for Mauritius, and entry stamps allow a stay of 60 days. Its country page was last updated in 2018, so confirm the rules with the US Embassy in Port Louis before you book.
Visitors must show proof of onward or return travel and enough money for the stay. Our Philharmonia Festival guide names the online arrival form that visitors have been asked to fill in, so confirm whether it is still required.
Getting to the Champ de Mars
The Champ de Mars is in Port Louis, the capital, on the north-west side of the island. A taxi or a hotel car is the simplest way to reach the racecourse, and you should agree the fare before you start.
Road closures, parking and any shuttle plan for race days have not been published for the finale. Plan to arrive early and to leave after the crowds have thinned.
Safety, Weather and Tips for US Visitors
The US Embassy in Port Louis shows a Level 2 travel advisory for Mauritius, which means exercise increased caution because of crime. Riots began on 12 October 2026 and police imposed a night curfew, which our reporting says ended on 19 October.
Read our latest update before you book: 7 Curfew Breakers Walk Free in Mauritius. Check the advisory again in the week you fly.
December falls inside the cyclone season, which runs from November to May. Mauritius Meteorological Services issues the warnings, and a Class III cyclone warning means staying indoors.
At a crowded racecourse, keep your phone and wallet out of sight and avoid walking alone at night. Save the emergency numbers 999 and 112.
Take travel insurance with medical evacuation cover, because US Medicare does not pay for care abroad. Carry medicines in their original packaging.
Where to Stay and What It Costs
Visitors can stay in Port Louis itself or in a coastal resort and travel in by taxi or hired car. Our Mauritius explainer covers the island’s geography, costs and politics.
We found no confirmed hotel or transport prices for 5 and 6 December, so we quote none. Book a refundable room once the race card is published.
More in Mauritius This Season
The AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open golf tournament runs from 10 to 13 December at Mont Choisy. Read our guide: Mauritius Open Golf 2026 Guide, Grand Baie.
The Philharmonia Orchestra of London plays a festival at the Trianon Convention Centre from 22 to 31 January 2027. Read our guide: Beethoven Ninth in Creole in Mauritius.
What Is Not Confirmed Yet
The race card, the start times, the Coupe d’Or on 6 December, admission prices and the official seller are not confirmed. The calendar we read was provisional, and the fixture list shows only the dates.
We could not open the racing club’s website, so we could not check its race-day notes or tariffs. Live coverage for US viewers and the dress rules are also not confirmed.
We will refresh this guide when the club publishes the race card. Check the club’s own site and the Mauritius tourism pages first, because they are the official sources.
More: Africa news in English, every day from The Rio Times.
Frequently Asked Questions
When Is the Last Race Day of the Mauritius Season?
The fixture list shows the last meeting on Sunday 6 December 2026 at the Champ de Mars in Port Louis. The club’s provisional calendar lists the Coupe d’Or that day.
What Time Do Mauritius Races Start in Eastern Time?
The 2026 finale card is not published. Mauritius is nine hours ahead of New York, so a 1 p.m. first race would be 4 a.m. Eastern.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Racing in Mauritius?
Admission prices for the finale are not confirmed. Check with the racing club or your hotel before you go.
Do Americans Need a Visa for Mauritius?
The State Department says US citizens need no visa, and entry stamps allow 60 days. Its page is old, so confirm with the US Embassy before you book.
Sources: Mauritius Turf Club Jockey Club, provisional 2026 fixture calendar, accessed 30 October 2026; US State Department, Mauritius country information and travel advisory, travel.state.gov; Mauritius Meteorological Services, cyclone warning classes.
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief