Cheltenham Festival 2026: Everything You Need to Know
The Cheltenham Festival is one of the most anticipated events in the horse racing calendar. The four-day event will run from Tuesday, March 10 to Friday, March 13, 2026.
The highlight of the festival is the Cheltenham Gold Cup, one of the biggest jump races in the world. Harry Redknapp’s Jukebox Man will attempt to become the first horse trained in Britain to win the Gold Cup since 2018.
Each day of the festival brings its own atmosphere. Champion Day starts the action on March 10, Ladies Day returns with its famous fashion event on March 11, St Patrick’s Thursday will celebrate Irish racing spirit on March 12 and the meeting concludes with the dramatic Gold Cup Day on March 13.
Cheltenham Festival 2026 Schedule
The Cheltenham Festival will take place between Tuesday 10 March and Friday 13 March 2026 at the Cheltenham Racecourse in Prestbury Park, Gloucestershire.
The first race on each day starts at 13:20 GMT.
There are 7 races per day, making 28 races in total during the festival. The final race each day is scheduled for 17:20 GMT.
Cheltenham Gold Cup Timing
The Cheltenham Gold Cup will be held on Friday, March 13 which is the last day of the event.
It is the fifth race of the day and is scheduled to begin at 16:00 GMT.
Cheltenham Festival Race Schedule
(All times in GMT)
Tuesday 10 March – Champion Day
13:20 – The Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (2m 1/3f)
14:00 – The Singer Arkle Challenge Trophy Steeple Chase (2m)
14:40 – The McCoys Contractors Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Race (2m 1/2f)
15:20 – The Trustmarque Ultima Handicap Chase (3m 1f)
16:00 – The Unibet Champion Hurdle (2m 1/2f)
16:40 – The Sun Racing Plate (2m 4f)
17:20 – The National Hunt Steeple Chase Challenge Cup (3m 6f)
Wednesday 11 March – Cheltenham Ladies Day
13:20 – The Turners Novices’ Hurdle (2m 5f)
14:00 – The Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase (3m 1f)
14:40 – The BetMGM Cup Handicap Hurdle (2m 5f)
15:20 – The Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Steeple Chase (3m 51/2f)
16:00 – The BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase (2m)
16:40 – The Debenhams Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Steeple Chase Challenge Cup (2m)
17:20 – The Weatherbys Champion Bumper (2m 1/2f)
Thursday 12 March – St Patrick’s Thursday
13:20 – The Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (2m 1f)
14:00 – The Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (2m 4 1/2f)
14:40 – The Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (2m 4 1/2f)
15:20 – The Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (3m)
16:00 – The Ryanair Chase (2m 4 1/2f)
16:40 – The Pertemps Network Final (3m)
17:20 – The Rosconn Group Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Steeple Chase (2m 4 1/2f)
Friday 13 March – Cheltenham Gold Cup Day
13:20 – JCB Triumph Hurdle (2m Hurdle)
14:00 – William Hill County Handicap Hurdle (2m)
14:40 – Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase (2m 4f)
15:20 – Albert Novices’ Hurdle (3m Hurdle)
16:00 – Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase (3m 2f)
16:40 – St James’ Place Festival Hunters Chase (3m 2f)
17:20 – Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (2m 4f)
What’s New at Cheltenham Festival 2026
Cheltenham Racecourse has announced several changes to improve the racegoer experience for the 2025/26 season and the 2026 edition of the Festival.
Reduced Capacity
The festival’s daily capacity will drop from 68,500 to 66,000 spectators. The change comes after racegoer feedback and aims to reduce overcrowding.
Removal of Drinks Restrictions
All remaining drinks restrictions in the Club Enclosure have been removed. Racegoers can now move freely with drinks around the racecourse.
Price of a Pint
Cheltenham has also reduced drink prices. A pint of Guinness will drop from £7.80 to £7.50 for the 2025/26 season, covering all 16 racedays at the venue.
Redesigned Tented Village
A new covered food court will open in the Tented Village. The venue will offer expanded food and drink options under cover.
The Vestey Food Court will also be transformed into the Green Grazer, focusing on locally sourced produce.
Return of Ladies Day
For the first time since 2019, Wednesday will again be promoted as Ladies Day. The popular Style Awards will return with over £10,000 in prizes.
Ticket Prices
Ticket pricing remains competitive. Fans can attend the festival for as little as £35 through the Super Early Bird rate.
Organisers have also introduced additional discount windows, meaning ticket prices will remain the same or lower than the 2025 Festival for more than 10 months.
During the event and even before, you can make your predictions on duelbits.io.