Neptunus' circular Salacia structure gives spectacular new look to Royal Ascot 2026

Racegoers at Royal Ascot enjoyed a spectacular new look to the hospitality village in the centre of the racecourse this year with the introduction of an eye-catching circular covered viewing area created by temporary structure specialists Neptunus. 

The Salacia, a fully rounded structure allowing 360 degree views and named after the female Roman divinity of the sea and wife of Neptune, was originally created as an iconic building that became the centrepiece of Tomorrowland, one of the world’s largest and most high octane electronic dance and music festivals staged annually in Belgium.

The visually imposing multifunctional structure has since featured at other global festivals, exhibitions, product launches and hospitality events. It made its UK debut at Royal Ascot 2026 to provide a unique and stylish shaded shelter for racegoers in the centre of the course.  

Neptunus’ Managing Director Ben Keast says: “We have a long-term and very successful relationship with Royal Ascot. It is the world’s most prestigious horseracing festival where Neptunus are entrusted to ensure visitors enjoy an extraordinary experience befitting such a spectacular royal occasion broadcast to a world-wide TV audience.

“Over recent years we have sought to introduce new innovations across the Village Enclosure in the centre of the track to enhance the spectator experience. The introduction of the Salacia was an exciting new addition for 2026. It’s not only a visually very striking structure but it is functional and  provides a unique covered area to provide shelter for racegoers from the sun or from rain.”  

Offering a clear span of 30 metres, the Salacia was extended with a five-metre canopy fitted with angled branding bespoke printed graphics.  The roof is hydraulically lifted into place with flexibility for heights up to 12 metres. 

Keast adds:  “For Royal Ascot we limited the height to ensure spectators from the grandstands would have a clear view of all the racing action across the course.”

Dan Waite, Ascot Racecourse Build Manager, said: “Neptunus have provided, for the first time seen in the UK, the Salacia for our Village Enclosure. The supply of this structure was to the highest quality standard from planning to delivery. With the artwork printed PVC to give it the touch of Royal Ascot, it fits perfectly within the space and provides comprehensive weather cover much needed in the enclosure.”

Each year at the royal meeting, Neptunus transform the centre of the racecourse into a festival-style environment giving racegoers a unique experience in a stylish temporary village that doubles up as an after-race party venue. The Village Enclosure brings racegoers to the very heart of the action with marvellous views of the thoroughbred racehorses and the traditional daily pre-race Royal Procession as the Royal Family and their VIP guests are driven down the Straight Mile in horse-drawn Landau carriages.  

Neptunus’ technicians took just two weeks to erect over 5,000 square metres of temporary structures and then managed the turnkey fit out of services including carpets, linings, lighting, power distribution, heating and air conditioning, toilets and external decked viewing areas to accommodate thousands of spectators.

Alure Globe temporary structures formed a private fine dining restaurant for 2000 guests to create ‘Restaurant in the Village’. A separate less formal hospitality area was created in the newly rebranded ‘The Meadows’ where  Neptunus erected multiple smaller Apollonia structures to form street food stalls, cocktail bars and betting facilities.

Each day of the 5-day long Royal Ascot staged from June 16-20 attracted up to 60,000 visitors with around 10,000 utilising the Village Enclosure in the middle of the course.