Cheltenham Festival

Race Card

The Cheltenham Festival 2026 runs March 10 to 13 at Cheltenham Racecourse in the Cotswolds, with the first race on Champion Day at 1:30 PM GMT and the Cheltenham Gold Cup going to post at 3:30 PM GMT on March 13. The four-day festival draws approximately 250,000 fans across 28 races.

First held in 1860, the Cheltenham Festival has grown into the most anticipated week in the jumps racing calendar. The meeting is defined by its signature sound: "The Cheltenham Roar," the eruption of noise from tens of thousands of fans as the first race field charges down the hill on Tuesday afternoon. It is a sound unlike anything else in sport, a release of months of anticipation that shakes the grandstands.

Arkle won three consecutive Gold Cups from 1964 to 1966 and is widely regarded as the greatest steeplechaser who ever lived. Best Mate matched that treble from 2002 to 2004. Dawn Run remains the only horse to win both the Champion Hurdle and the Gold Cup, completing the double in 1986 with a stirring late rally that sent the Irish fans into delirium. In more recent history, Rachael Blackmore became the first woman to be named the Festival's leading jockey in 2021, winning six races in a display of brilliance that rewrote the record books.

The four days each carry their own identity. Champion Day on March 10 features the Champion Hurdle at 3:30 PM GMT, the first championship test of the week. Ladies Day on March 11 showcases the Queen Mother Champion Chase, the fastest two miles in racing. St Patrick's Thursday on March 12 brings the Stayers' Hurdle, a grueling test of stamina over three miles. Gold Cup Day on March 13 is the grand finale, with the Cheltenham Gold Cup at 3:30 PM GMT deciding the best staying steeplechaser in training. The Champion Hurdle carries a purse exceeding £600,000.

For viewers in the United States, the 3:30 PM GMT feature races land at 10:30 AM EST, a perfect mid-morning slot for racing fans on the East Coast. West Coast viewers get the main races at 7:30 AM PST. European viewers on the continent get a 4:30 PM CET start for feature races. Australian fans in Melbourne face a 2:30 AM AEDT start for the feature races, tough but manageable for the Gold Cup. Japanese viewers in Tokyo can tune in at 12:30 AM JST (technically the early hours of the following day). For fans in Dubai, races go off at 7:30 PM GST, an ideal evening watch.

Cheltenham Racecourse sits in a natural amphitheater below Cleeve Hill, with the course climbing and falling across the Gloucestershire countryside. The atmosphere is electric from the first day to the last. Irish fans travel in enormous numbers, turning the Guinness Village into a roaring celebration that starts at dawn and barely stops for four days. The rivalry between British and Irish trainers is the backbone of the Festival, with each side desperate to claim bragging rights. The betting ring buzzes with activity, and the roar of the crowd as horses clear the final fence in the Gold Cup is something that stays with you forever.

The Irish dominance of recent years shows no sign of slowing down. Willie Mullins and Henry de Bromhead continue to produce elite jumpers at a rate that British yards struggle to match. Watch for the Champion Hurdle and Gold Cup markets to be dominated by runners from Ireland. The emerging generation of jockeys, particularly from the Irish amateur ranks, always produces a breakout star at Cheltenham. The Festival is also the place where ante-post gambles are settled, and the roar that greets a well-backed winner is part of the magic.

Check the current time in Cheltenham at Cheltenham time. For more on UK time, see United Kingdom time.

Venue

Cheltenham Racecourse in Cheltenham, England

Check the time in Cheltenham

FAQ

When is the Cheltenham Festival?

The Cheltenham Festival takes place on 2026-03-10 with the first race at 15:30 Europe/London.

What time does the Cheltenham Festival start?

The first race at the Cheltenham Festival is scheduled for 15:30 Europe/London on 2026-03-10. All post times on this page are converted to your local timezone.

Where is the Cheltenham Festival held?

The Cheltenham Festival is held at Cheltenham Racecourse in Cheltenham, England.

How many races are at the Cheltenham Festival?

The Cheltenham Festival features 4 races across 4 days.

How can I watch the Cheltenham Festival?

Coverage depends on your country. Check your local racing broadcaster for live coverage. All post times on this page are shown in your local timezone.