Colombo Racecourse
A historic sporting venue transformed into a modern lifestyle hub, offering sports, shopping, dining, and stunning city views.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, peaceful atmosphere
Colombo Racecourse
Best Time
Fewer crowds, peaceful atmosphere
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A historic sporting venue transformed into a modern lifestyle hub, offering sports, shopping, dining, and stunning city views.
"A prime venue for football and rugby, with great views and a pleasant atmosphere for walks and leisure."
🚶♀️ Enjoy a Relaxing Walk
The long walking path offers a serene environment, perfect for a peaceful stroll away from the city bustle.
🌃 Evening Ambiance
The grounds are particularly beautiful in the evenings, offering a calm and clean environment to unwind.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Colombo Skyline Views
Outer perimeter
Enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the modern Colombo skyline, especially stunning at sunset.
Well-Maintained Sports Grounds
Main field
Experience the meticulously kept football and rugby fields, perfect for sports enthusiasts and casual observers alike.
Vibrant Shopping and Dining Hub
Pavilion areas
Explore a variety of shops and restaurants, including popular brands, offering a lively atmosphere for leisure.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Timing Your Visit for the Best Experience
Understanding Event Bookings and Access
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚶♀️ Enjoy a Relaxing Walk
The long walking path offers a serene environment, perfect for a peaceful stroll away from the city bustle.
🌃 Evening Ambiance
The grounds are particularly beautiful in the evenings, offering a calm and clean environment to unwind.
⚽ Catch a Game
It's a prime venue for football and rugby matches; check schedules for an exciting live sports experience.
🛍️ Shopping & Dining
Discover various shops and restaurants within the complex for a complete leisure experience.
Tips
from all over the internet
🚶♀️ Enjoy a Relaxing Walk
The long walking path offers a serene environment, perfect for a peaceful stroll away from the city bustle.
🌃 Evening Ambiance
The grounds are particularly beautiful in the evenings, offering a calm and clean environment to unwind.
⚽ Catch a Game
It's a prime venue for football and rugby matches; check schedules for an exciting live sports experience.
🛍️ Shopping & Dining
Discover various shops and restaurants within the complex for a complete leisure experience.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
The Colombo Racecourse is praised for its well-maintained sports grounds, pleasant walking paths, and vibrant atmosphere with shops and restaurants. Visitors appreciate the clean environment and the stunning Colombo skyline views. However, some have reported issues with event booking processes and staff communication.
"-Sporting venue
-Surface is well maintained as well as the surroundings.
-Floodlights need improvement.
-Main pavilion has a good view and well maintained.
Secondary pavilion isn't good considering the view for a football or rugby games.
-Ground can be reserved for private events.
-Parking available."
Ramesh Lakruwan
"Charges a hefty amount for reserving the ground. However there is no service provided whatsoever. We reserved the location for a few sports events at one go. The staff itself doesn’t communicate properly, one another does not know the process properly, including the manager. They just make notes on reservations on a notebook on the telephone. The manager asks details of everything and at the end says you have to connect with this employee in his team cus the details are “confidential” and he doesn’t have it. Details of our own booking.
Communication between themselves itself is terrible at its best. When doing a payment or meeting them for a requirement for them to communicate with each other itself it takes a good hour or two.
Coming to the event day, there is no service provided at all. Even to pull out the dugouts, we had to do it on our own. Upon questioning the a ground staff person what they said was no it’s not our task. What were the payments for? Just for the ground with no service at all?
On the second day upon connecting with a well known rugby coach, he himself stated us that our payment is made including the services therefore not to do any of the ground related work and to inform them. Upon mentioning his name only we were able to get their support to simply pull out the dugouts to the ground.
Finally, communication on changes of the reservations and taking the responsibility for what has been communicated is not there at all. Gave us a terrible time at the end and the way the security spoke to us was terrible.
This being an international ground for football and rugby in Sri Lanka it was very terrible to see the way we are treated being locals. Hopefully this changes with time."
Nethmini Kurukulasriya
"Watching football at the ground is excellent. The steps are steep but the view and the seating is good. Confusion when buying tickets, as there is no known location or a proper counter. Needed to ask many people to discover the make shift tables and the young men standing idle."
Amal Nanayakkara
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The Colombo Racecourse is centrally located and easily accessible by taxi, tuk-tuk, or ride-sharing apps. Public buses also serve the area. Parking is available on-site, though it can get busy during events.
Yes, there are plenty of parking spaces available at the Colombo Racecourse, making it convenient for visitors arriving by car.
Absolutely! The Racecourse features a long walking path, offering a pleasant and clean environment for a leisurely walk.
Yes, several bus routes pass by or near the Colombo Racecourse, making it accessible for those using public transportation.
From Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), you can take a taxi or pre-booked airport transfer directly to Colombo Racecourse. The journey typically takes around 45-60 minutes depending on traffic.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Entry to the general grounds and walking paths is usually free. However, tickets are required for specific sporting events or if you wish to access certain spectator areas like the main pavilion during matches.
Ticket purchasing can sometimes be confusing, with makeshift counters. It's best to inquire locally or check event organizers' websites for the most up-to-date information on where and when to buy tickets.
The grounds are generally accessible during daylight hours for walks and leisure. Specific facilities like shops and restaurants have their own operating hours. Event timings vary.
Yes, the ground can be reserved for private events, but be prepared for a potentially complex booking process and significant charges. Communication with staff can be challenging.
The main pavilion is generally open for visitors to explore, offering good views. However, access might be restricted during official matches or private events.
🎫 🏟️ Onsite Experience
The Colombo Racecourse is a primary venue for football and rugby matches in Sri Lanka.
The sports surface and surroundings are generally well-maintained, making it a pleasant place for sports and recreation.
The main pavilion offers a good view of the sports field, and it is well-maintained.
Yes, the complex includes several restaurants and shops, such as Nike and US Polo, adding to the leisure experience.
Facilities include public washrooms and ample parking. The environment is described as calm and clean.
📸 📸 Photography
The perimeter offers stunning views of the modern Colombo skyline, especially during sunset. The well-maintained sports fields also provide great photographic opportunities, particularly during matches.
Yes, the Colombo Racecourse provides an excellent vantage point for capturing the impressive Colombo skyline.
Generally, casual photography for personal use is allowed. However, for commercial photography or during private events, it's advisable to check for specific permissions.
The 'golden hour' around sunrise and sunset offers beautiful lighting for both the skyline and the grounds. Evenings provide a pleasant ambiance.
You can capture wide-angle shots of the cityscape, action shots during sports events, architectural details of the pavilions, and candid moments of people enjoying the space.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Families can enjoy a leisurely walk, perhaps followed by a meal at one of the restaurants or a browse through the shops. It's a good spot for a relaxed outing, especially during the cooler parts of the day. Keep in mind that during major sporting events, it can get crowded, so planning your visit accordingly is advisable.
🚶♀️ Solo Travelers & Walkers
You can enjoy the calm and clean environment without feeling rushed or disturbed. The opportunity to observe local life, perhaps catch a glimpse of a sports practice, or simply enjoy the open space makes it a rewarding solo destination. The surrounding skyline views also add to the visual appeal.
⚽ Sports Enthusiasts
Even outside of official games, the sight of the pristine sports fields can be inspiring. If you're interested in local sports culture, checking the event schedule and attending a match is highly recommended.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Navigating Event Bookings and Services
It's crucial to have clear, written agreements and confirm all details with multiple staff members before booking. Understanding that the payment might primarily be for the ground usage, with services being an add-on or requiring specific arrangements, is key. For instance, one reviewer mentioned needing to invoke the name of a known rugby coach to get basic assistance with moving dugouts.
For those planning events, thorough communication and expectation management are paramount. It's advisable to confirm what services are included in the rental fee and to have a designated point person on-site who can liaise effectively with the Racecourse staff to ensure a smoother experience.
The Spectator Experience at Colombo Racecourse
Finding tickets can sometimes be a point of confusion, as there isn't always a clearly designated ticket counter. Visitors often need to ask around to locate makeshift tables and staff. However, once inside, the atmosphere for watching a match is often described as excellent.
The surrounding environment is calm and clean, making it a pleasant place to be even outside of match times. The availability of parking and easy access further contribute to a convenient spectator experience.
Leisure and Lifestyle at the Racecourse
The well-maintained grounds and long walking path offer a refreshing escape for those seeking a peaceful environment. It's a place where people can enjoy free time without disturbance, making it ideal for a relaxed walk or a casual chat with friends.
In the evenings, the Racecourse takes on a special charm, with its clean and calm ambiance providing a perfect setting for unwinding. The combination of recreational activities, shopping, and dining options makes it a versatile destination within Colombo.
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