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Pleasanton, Calif. – Live horse racing returns to the Alameda County Fairgrounds under the new identity: Golden State Racing. The Fall race meet will take place every Friday through Sunday between Saturday, October 19–Sunday, December 15, 2024 and will run for 26 race days.

To celebrate opening weekend, there will be an Oktoberfest on Saturday, October 19. All guests can buy German cuisine from sausages to pretzels to a special German dessert while watching and wagering. Guests can enter the Stella Artois Grandstand for free to watch racing. If they want to participate in Oktoberfest, they can purchase a ticket to taste from a selection of special beers. Oktoberfest tickets are $49.50 with fees when you purchase in advance and includes five full beers and a glass beer stein.

In addition to horse racing, guests can look forward to fun events at the Track during certain race weekends, such as Wine Fest on Breeders’ Cup Day, November 2. Plus, every Sunday the track will offer $5 beers (any beer on tap) and $5 hotdogs.

Racing is free admission to watch; parking is $15 (credit, debit, and Apple Pay). If an all-grounds event is taking place during a race weekend, those watching horse racing must purchase admission to that event to access the Stella Artois Grandstand. This includes Goodguys on November 9-10 where guests can enjoy fast cars and fast horses.

Box seats will also be sold during Golden State Racing for as little as $3.87 per day for a 4-6-or-8-seat box. Boxes will only be sold for the Fall race meet, and box seat holders must repurchase their box for the 2025 Fair race meet.

This race meet is made possible by the California Authority of Racing Fairs (CARF), which is composed of members of Fairs providing horse racing including Pleasanton, Ferndale, Fresno, and Cal Expo.

Racing fans and even the Executive Director of CARF, Larry Swartzlander quickly rallied behind Pleasanton being the best place for Northern California horse racing after the closure of Golden Gate Fields in Berkeley, CA. For one, the Alameda County Fairgrounds is home to the oldest 1-mile dirt track in America. The Fairgrounds have also been a staunch supporter of horse racing with a long history of promoting equine agriculture through the previous equestrian center, horse racing at the annual summer Fair, hosting a Fall race meet in 2017 for Oak Tree Racing Group, and more.

Tickets for Box Seats, Oktoberfest, Wine Fest, and parking are on sale now. For more information on Golden State Racing, schedules, and upcoming events, please visit goldenstateracing.com or alamedacountyfair.com.

There will be advertisement opportunities at the track, including Jumbotron ads and Sponsor a Race opportunities. Groups are encouraged to plan corporate parties at the Sky Lounge or Trackside Terrace outdoor patio. To learn more about hospitality packages, contact [email protected].

In addition to horse racing, the Alameda County Fairgrounds is hosting a plethora of fun events all throughout the month of October. See the full list of events below, or visit alamedacountyfair.com.

• September 27-November 2 | Pirates of Emerson
• October 4-6 | Alameda Fall Home Show
• October 10-12 | Pleasanton Quilt, Craft and Sewing Festival
• October 18-20 | Big Bounce America
• October 19 | Diwali–Festival of Lights
• October 25-27 | Pleasanton Harvest Festival

The Alameda County Agricultural Fair Association, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, produces the annual Alameda County Fair without any tax funding from the government. It is ranked one of the top 50 North American Fairs and the 7th largest fair in California. The Fairgrounds is home to the oldest one-mile race track in America.