ASCOT is definitely coming to York next June.

The Berkshire racecourse today formally confirmed the dates for its Royal Ascot fixture will be June 14 to 18, and that there will be a history-making Royal procession on Knavesmire on all five days.

But it is not yet clear whether the Queen will herself attend. Details of who will take part in the procession have yet to be formalised.

Tickets for the public enclosures and hospitality packages will go on sale on Monday, October 4, and Royal Enclosure Badges will be available from Tuesday, January 4.

Ascot and York racecourses will contact everyone on their databases to publicise these dates, and the Royal Enclosure list will be written to later this year.

The order of running for Royal Ascot at York will broadly mirror that of this year and precise details will be confirmed in due course.

"We're absolutely delighted to be able to confirm that the five-day fixture will be retained in 2005," said Douglas Erskine-Crum, Chief Executive at Ascot.

"There will be a Royal Enclosure and having set capacity at 50,000, we are working closely with York to determine the precise delineation of all the enclosures. Similarly, we're talking with all the hospitality groups and stakeholders at both tracks to accommodate as many as possible."

William Derby, Chief Executive at York said:

"It's tremendous news for both the familiar Ascot audience and the regulars at York that everything that makes the Royal Meeting so special will be coming to York. The Royal Procession on the Knavesmire will be a real piece of history and we're delighted to be accommodating and supporting the Ascot team during their £185 million redevelopment."

Updated: 12:08 Saturday, July 24, 2004