Punters have criticised the cost of Guinness at Cheltenham Festival 2026 despite the price being reduced from £7.80 to £7.50, with social media users calling it “disgraceful”
Racegoers have continued to voice their frustration over Guinness prices, despite a reduction following complaints from festival attendees.
The famous Irish stout remains the beverage of choice for many amongst the tens of thousands descending upon the Cotswolds for the four-day racing festival.
However, last year’s festivities left a bitter taste when punters discovered they’d be paying an eye-watering £7.80 for a pint of Guinness, with the alcohol-free alternative costing just 40p less.
Other beers offered little respite, with ‘premium lager’ set at £7.40 and Doom Bar matching the standard Guinness price. Festival organisers seem to have listened to the feedback, reducing the cost of a regular Guinness to a slightly more reasonable £7.50 for the 2026 event.
The non-alcoholic Guinness option has been set marginally cheaper at £7.30. Premium lager and Doom Bar remain at their 2025 prices.
In positive news for Guinness lovers, the festival will allow alcohol consumption in front of the grandstand along the rails for the first time, meaning visitors can enjoy their drinks whilst watching the races unfold.
Despite the price reduction, many attendees remained unhappy about the cost of the dark brew. One person on social media branded it “Disgraceful”, whilst another remarked, “And that’s why more and more people are going abroad to watch it.”
Guinness is amongst a small number of items experiencing price cuts at Cheltenham, although accommodation costs remain eye-wateringly expensive.
An average five-night stay now sits at £3,772, based on Booking.com figures, whilst renting a three-bedroom townhouse close to the racecourse for the four days will set you back £8,812.
At the more budget-friendly end of the spectrum, Airbnb prices ranged from a one-bedroom cottage nine miles from the course at £579 to a single-bedroom flat under two miles away for £2,500. The cheapest option available on Booking.com was a guest house four miles from the track priced at £1,033.
Festival organisers have introduced measures aimed at making the event more accessible and wallet-friendly for the typical racegoer. Ladies Day is returning after a seven-year absence.
Event organisers expect this decision will draw a wave of female attendees, with £10,000 worth of prizes available for the best-dressed participant. Furthermore, the daily capacity has been cut by 2,500 to 66,000 to provide a more pleasant experience for visitors, with less congested stands and reduced waiting times for refreshments.
Multi-ticket packages were made available to bring down the cost of entry. These alterations mark the most substantial transformation in Cheltenham’s 166-year history.
Whilst the event itself may be more affordable to attend, the heightened demand has driven up accommodation prices across the region, something that lies outside the remit of racing authorities. Legendary jockey-turned-pundit Ruby Walsh has given his backing to the changes, saying: “I’m very impressed with the changes. I think less is always more, so bringing down the capacity to me is a no-brainer.
“There has to be a customer experience. People have to walk out thinking, ‘I want to go there again’. Ladies’ Day? I’m all in a dither. I have no idea what hat I’m going to wear! I am a man with a girl’s name so I’d better make an effort.”