The countdown is on.
The Cheltenham Festival 2026 is now just days away, and this year’s meeting at Cheltenham Racecourse is shaping up to be one of the most open in recent memory.
With seven high-stakes races each day and championship contests at 4.00pm daily, the four-day spectacle promises drama from the opening roar on Tuesday to the final race on Gold Cup Day.
The absence of Nicky Henderson’s injured Sir Gino has blown the Champion Hurdle wide open, while the Gold Cup picture remains fiercely competitive.
Broadcast coverage remains extensive. The first six races each day will be shown live on ITV1, with Racing TV carrying full coverage including the final race daily. Viewers can also stream the ITV coverage live via ITVX. The Cheltenham Gold Cup itself will be run at 4.00pm UK time on Friday, March 13.
Cheltenham Festival 2026 Full Schedule
Champion Day – Tuesday, March 10
13:20 – The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) – 2m 87y
14:00 – The Arkle Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) – 1m 7f 199y
14:40 – The Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) – 2m 87y
15:20 – The Ultima Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) – 3m 1f
16:00 – The Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) – 2m 87y
16:40 – The TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) – 2m 4f 44y
17:20 – The Princess Royal National Hunt Novices’ Handicap Chase – 3m 5f 201y
Ladies Day – Wednesday, March 11
13:20 – The Turners Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) – 2m 5f
14:00 – The Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) – 3m 80y
14:40 – The Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) – 2m 5f
15:20 – The Cross Country Handicap Chase – 3m 6f 37y
16:00 – The Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1) – 1m 7f 199y
16:40 – The Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) – 1m 7f 199y
17:20 – The Champion Bumper (Grade 1) – 2m 87y
St Patrick’s Thursday – Thursday, March 12
13:20 – The Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) – 2m 179y
14:00 – The Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (Grade 2) – 2m 4f 127y
14:40 – The Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 1) – 2m 4f 56y
15:20 – The Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1) – 2m 7f 213y
16:00 – The Ryanair Chase (Grade 1) – 2m 4f 127y
16:40 – The Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) – 2m 7f 113y
17:20 – The Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase – 3m 2f
Gold Cup Day – Friday, March 13
13:20 – The Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1) – 2m 179y
14:00 – The County Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) – 2m 179y
14:40 – The Mares’ Chase (Grade 2) – 2m 4f 127y
15:20 – The Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) – 2m 7f 213y
16:00 – The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup (Grade 1) – 3m 2f 70y
16:40 – The Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase – 3m 2f 70y
17:20 – The Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle – 2m 4f 56y
There is no official dress code at Cheltenham, but the tradition is unmistakable. Racegoers typically opt for smart attire, with tailored suits, long coats and formal dresses dominating the enclosures. Ladies Day in particular is known as much for fashion as it is for racing, with bold hats and statement outfits forming part of the spectacle.
With competitive championship races, established powerhouses and emerging contenders all converging, Cheltenham Festival 2026 promises four days of elite National Hunt drama where reputations are built and legends are made.
