If you live on the Central Coast, you definitely know The Entertainment Grounds. You probably drive past it all the time – the immaculate track, the grandstand, the crowds rolling in, horses doing laps during a quiet moment. Some days it’s races with people dressed to the nines. Other days it’s bump-in trucks and marquees going up. We get FOMO every time we drive past because there always seems to be something going on.
Home to Gosford Race Club for over 100 years, the racecourse is the most recognisable part of The Entertainment Grounds – beautifully maintained and impossible to miss. But what a lot of locals don’t always realise is that beyond the rails and the finishing post sits one of the most versatile event venues on the Central Coast.
The Coast Race Day 2026
Circle Saturday, 9 May on the calendar – this is the one everyone talks about.
The Coast Race Day returns to The Entertainment Grounds for 2026 with more than $2 million in prize money on the line, featuring:
- $500,000 feature race, The Coast
- $300,000 Guardian Gosford Gold Cup
- $250,000 De Bortoli Wines Takeover Target
It’s officially the richest race day on the Central Coast, and the energy reflects it.
Trackside, it’s a full ten-race program with punters podium.
Off it, the rest of the venue comes to life in a big way. Live music from Red Roy, fashion spotters clocking the best dressed, a Glam Bar with MUA April Harvey to get race-day ready (or last-minute touch-ups), and the Steinbok Brands cocktail bar keeping things moving between races.
The sold-out UDL Trackside Party with DJ Moody Tiger Pants will definitely bring the energy, and there’s no shortage of delicious food to match.
For something a little more curated, there are a couple of standout hospitality options worth locking in early.
The Italian Long Lunch ($199) promises a vibrant, shared-style experience curated by Chef Daniel (At Baker St and Fork’N’Knife Catering), set on the front lawn with racetrack views. With a Limoncello Spritz on arrival, live cooking, a grazing station with woodfired flatbread, a two-course menu paired with De Bortoli wines, and roaming dessert (including Chef Daniel’s signature wheelbarrow tiramisu) to finish – this is a really special way to experience The Coast Race Day.
Or if you’re after something more elevated, the Lakeview All-Inclusive Package ($259) delivers a three-course lunch with a six-hour premium beverage package, all from your own reserved table in the Lakeview mezzanine. With sweeping views over the racecourse and winning straight, full TAB and bookmaker access, and your own SKY TV monitor, it’s a comfortable base for the day with everything taken care of.
And once the last race wraps up, it doesn’t just end there. The celebrations roll on with DJ Aria taking over into the afternoon, and the $100,000 Golden Moment gives you a shot at some seriously big prizes, from cash to cars.
It’s a day that really shows The Entertainment Grounds at its best: big, vibrant, and built to host events that draw a crowd.
Bring Central Coast events to life at The Entertainment Grounds
A versatile event venue in Gosford
The Entertainment Grounds isn’t just a racecourse that hosts the occasional function. It’s a purpose-built, multi-use function venue in Gosford that’s almost always in motion. Races, weddings, conferences, exhibitions, concerts… if it involves people gathering and having a good time, chances are it’s happened here. There’s a reason it always looks busy – because it is.
Of course, race days are where it all began, and they’re still a big part of the story. With around 24 race meetings a year, it’s not just about the horses, it’s about the hospitality. Curated race day packages are perfect for hosting clients, rounding up mates or planning something a bit special for work. The venue does the heavy lifting, the food and drinks are sorted, and you can actually enjoy the day rather than managing it.
That same ease carries through to the broader range of event and function packages on offer. With a stack of flexible indoor and outdoor spaces, they’ve nailed the balance between polished and relaxed. Floor-to-ceiling glass, manicured lawns, modern AV, and in-house catering comes together seamlessly. No need to organise half a dozen suppliers – the pieces are already in place. And with rooms available for small gatherings of 10 guests through to large-scale events of up to 330 pax in the Lakeview Room, you’ll find a space that fits without paying for more than you need.
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Easy event and function packages at The Entertainment Grounds
Looking for a wedding venue on the Central Coast that feels both special and stress-free? From intimate ceremonies to grand receptions, the dedicated events team at The Entertainment Grounds works closely with couples to bring their big day together just the way they imagined. It’s also a popular choice for school formals – plenty of space, great photo backdrops and a stress-free experience for schools or organisers. Milestone birthdays, engagement parties, sports presentations… these guys know how to scale an event without it ever feeling cookie-cutter. And come Christmas, they’ve got end-of-year packages that suit everything from casual catch-ups to full-scale corporate celebrations.
This versatility really comes into play for corporate events on the Central Coast. Conferences, seminars, networking nights, exhibitions and trade shows are all right at home thanks to the size of the grounds and the experience of the events team behind the scenes. There’s plenty of free parking (a rare win), natural light throughout, and enough tech support that organisers aren’t left troubleshooting on the day.
Learn more about their versatile function and event packages here.
Why The Entertainment Grounds works so well
The Entertainment Grounds is confident in what it offers: space, service, and thoughtfully designed packages that make life easier for the people planning the event. You can tell it’s a venue that’s been doing this a long time – and doing it well. It makes perfect sense why so many Central Coast events call this place home.
And next time you drive past and wonder what’s happening in there? Maybe it’s time to find out for yourself.
The Entertainment Grounds
4 Racecourse Road, Gosford
(02) 4325 0461
theentertainmentgrounds.com.au
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