Hawthorne Race Course

Hawthorne Race Course has served as Chicago's hometown track since 1891, making it the oldest sporting venue in Illinois. The fourth-generation family-owned facility sits in Stickney, just outside Chicago, and holds a distinction no other track in the country can claim: it is the only race course that hosts both Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing under the same roof. The main venue accommodates group events alongside live racing on Thursdays and Sundays, offering guests the backdrop of an active track with multiple large-screen viewing areas and food and beverage service throughout. For groups, the combination of live racing atmosphere and on-site dining creates an experience that goes well beyond a typical event space. A network of off-track betting bars and multiple sportsbook locations round out the broader Hawthorne footprint across Chicagoland, but the Stickney track remains the heart of the operation — a working venue with more than 130 years of racing history still running.