Returning for 2026, the Sky Bet Ebor Community Sweepstake will provide an incredible opportunity for Yorkshire-based charities, community groups and good causes to win up to £20,000.
A key part of the Sky Bet Ebor Festival which runs from Wednesday 19th to Saturday 22nd August, local charities and good causes from across Yorkshire are invited to apply to be in the Sky Bet Ebor Festival sweepstake.
22 different good causes from across Yorkshire will be shortlisted then each matched to a horse entered in the Sky Bet Ebor Handicap itself, run on Saturday 22nd August. The televised live draw on Thursday 20th August will reveal the pairings. The good cause matched with the winning horse will receive a £20,000 donation to support their work.
In addition to the winners, the charity, foundation or community group claiming second and third places will also receive £5,000 and £2,000 respectively, while all other shortlisted groups will be awarded £1,000 to support their projects or initiatives.
Applications open on the 15th June 2026 and will close on 17th July 2026. To enter, interested applicants need to complete a simple online entry form outlining their community efforts and specify how they would use the funds for their project should their horse win.
In 2025, East-riding based M.A.S.H (Military Assistance Social Hub), a charity dedicated to creating safe and welcoming spaces for the Armed Forces community, took home the top spot, securing the £20,000 prize, after the success of Ethical Diamond. Since their victory last year, the generous donation has supported them in establishing M.A.S.H’s roots through opening a new office space.
Craig Leach, Chairman of M.A.S.H (Military Assistance Social Hub), reflected on last year’s win: “Going into the day, we genuinely thought that if we were fortunate enough to win £1,000, it would make a real difference to M.A.S.H and the support we provide to the Armed Forces community. To then be announced as the winner of £20,000 was completely beyond anything we could have imagined.
“That funding has had a transformational impact over the past year. Winning has placed us in a position where we are now able to grow and expand as a charity in ways we simply did not think were possible this time last year.
“The day itself was unforgettable.” Craig continued: “It was amazing to meet so many inspirational people from different charities and hear about the incredible work happening across communities.
“As the race unfolded, I remember quietly asking for a little help from my dad, who had passed away the previous year after serving 24 years in the Army. Then, somehow, our horse came from eighth place and romped home. The feeling in that moment is almost impossible to put into words: complete disbelief, excitement and emotion all at once. We were simply blown away.”
James Brennan, Head of Marketing and Sponsorship at York Racecourse, added:
“The 2026 Sky Bet Ebor Community Sweepstake sees the return of our ongoing collaboration with the feature sponsor of the event. We are hugely proud of how the initiative spotlights grassroots organisations across Yorkshire and helps support them in their amazing work. With a new round of shortlisted causes to be nominated, it’s sure to provide an emotional postscript to the racing action. We look forward to welcoming everyone. It’s a day of celebration that York Racecourse is eager to host.”
Michael Shinners, Head of Sports PR at Sky Betting & Gaming, also commented:
“The Ebor Festival would not be the same without The Community Sweepstake. It has cemented itself as a key part of the event and brings incredible awareness and much-needed funding to great Yorkshire charities. Whether a cause places first or is shortlisted, the Sweepstake brings great visibility to all, and each donation has a lasting impact. We’re excited to learn more about the 2026 applicants and the good they bring to their respective communities.”
To submit an entry, fill out the entry form here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdzh7aqjhPoYDNJ_GNHP4HtrgHVWtLhGzOvjvw0qaVwsB-1sQ/viewform
To comply with Sky Bet’s responsible gambling policies, applications from organisations working exclusively with individuals under 18 years old will not be eligible.
