The Cheltenham Festival is one of the biggest events on the racing calendar and there are still plenty of tickets available for the four-day extravaganza
Mark Walsh on Innotewayurshinkin celebrates his Gold Cup win at Cheltenham (Image: Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
The 2026 Cheltenham Festival is fast approaching and racing enthusiasts can book their places now. In less than a month, Cheltenham Racecourse will once again host four days packed with racing, refreshments, food and entertainment.
The festival, which runs from March 10 to 13, features 28 races across Champions Day, Ladies Day, St. Patrick’s Thursday and Gold Cup Day. Key matches include the Unibet Champion Hurdle and the prestigious Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Steeple Chase.
For horse racing enthusiasts who haven’t yet secured a ticket, there are plenty of options available, from general admission to premium VIP and hospitality packages. Early bird tickets went on sale last year, but attendees can save money by purchasing in advance.
Here’s everything you need to know to get your Cheltenham Festival tickets now.
Tickets are available now for the 2026 Cheltenham Festival. By pre-booking, racegoers can avoid expensive same-day tickets. Official retailers include the Jockey Club, which sells a wide variety of tickets for each day of the festival.
Current prices start from £54 per person for the Best Mate enclosure, located directly opposite the main grandstand and next to the finish line. Reserved seats in the grandstand cost £210 per person and promise views said to be ‘one of the best’ at the race.
Cheltenham Festival 2026 Tickets
From £54
jockey club
Buy your tickets here
The Jockey Club offers a variety of ticket options on the day of the event at prices that are lower than on the day of the event.
For those looking to indulge, VIP and hospitality packages for each day of the race are now available through Seat Unique. Champions Club Restaurant prices start from £799 and include a four-course dinner, a free bar and an observation box with views over the racecourse.
A more luxurious option is The Privilege Suite, hosted by soccer legends Alan Brazil and Ray Parler. Priced at £1,585 per person, the package includes access to the club enclosure, VIP hostess service, advice from a celebrity tipster, plus food, drink and much more.
Viagogo and resale tickets
Sites like viagogo, Stubhub, and Vivid Seats allow fans to purchase resale tickets from other fans. However, it is important to note that ticket conditions often prohibit resale after the initial purchase. Those tickets may not be valid for admission to the concert.
Fans who plan to purchase tickets to a live event through a resale site should check the ticket terms and conditions before purchasing to see if resale is prohibited. Ticket terms and conditions can be found with the original seller, such as Ticketmaster or Live Nation. Where resale is prohibited, tickets purchased second hand will be invalidated and you may be refused entry to the event.
Tickets are also starting to go on sale on resale platforms such as viagogo and StubHub, allowing supporters to free up seats if they are unable to attend. Prices fluctuate daily and can go above or below par, but smart shoppers may be able to strike a deal quickly.
When is Cheltenham Festival 2026?
Cheltenham Festival 2026 runs from Tuesday 10th March to Friday 13th March. Gates open at 10:30 a.m. each day, with the opening race starting at 1:20 p.m. and the final race at 5:20 p.m.
Complete race schedule – dates and times.
Day 1: Champion Day – Tuesday, March 10th.
1.20pm – Sky Bet Supreme Novice Hurdle (Grade 1).
2pm – Singer Arkle Novice Tracking (Grade 1).
2.40pm – McCoys signs for the Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap).
3:20pm – Ultima Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap).
4:00pm – Unibet Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) 4:40pm – TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap)
5:20pm – Princess Royal National Hunt Beginners Handicap Chase.
Day 2: Ladies Day – Wednesday 11th March.
1.20pm – Turner’s Novice Hurdle (Grade 1).
2pm – Brown Advisory Novice Chase (Grade 1).
2:40pm – Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap).
3.20pm – Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase.
4pm – BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1).
4.40pm – Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) at Debenhams.
5:20pm – Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Grade 1).
Day 3: St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Thursday-Thursday, March 12th.
1.20pm – Ryanair Meares Novice Hurdle (Grade 2).
2pm – Jack Richards Novice Limited Handicap Chase (Grade 2).
2.40pm – Close Brothers Meles Hurdle (Grade 1).
3.20pm – Paddy Power Stayers Hurdle (Grade 1).
4pm – Ryanair Chase (Grade 1).
4:40pm – Final Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) on Pertemps Network.
5:20pm – Roscon Group Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Amateur Jockeys Handicap Chase.
Day 4: Gold Cup Day – Friday 13th March.
1.20pm – JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1).
2pm – William Hill County Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap).
2.40pm – Mrs Paddy Power Mares Chase (Grade 2).
3.20pm – Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle (Grade 1).
4pm – Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup (Grade 1).
4:40pm – Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters Chase.
5:20pm – Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle.
