Racing fans can still secure their spot at Cheltenham Festival 2026 with tickets on sale now from £54 – here’s everything you need to know about prices, dates and where to buy
The Cheltenham Festival 2026 is fast approaching and racing enthusiasts can book their places now. In under a month, Cheltenham Racecourse will once again welcome four days of racing, refreshments, cuisine and entertainment.
Running from March 10-13, there will be 28 races spanning Champion Day, Ladies Day, St Patrick’s Thursday and Gold Cup Day. Key fixtures include the Unibet Champion Hurdle and the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Steeple Chase.
For racing devotees who haven’t yet purchased their ticket, there remains a wide selection available, ranging from general admission through to more luxurious VIP and hospitality packages. Early bird tickets for the festival became available last year, but attendees can still make savings by securing their ticket in advance.
Here’s everything you need to know about obtaining Cheltenham Festival tickets now.
Tickets for the Cheltenham Festival 2026 are available now and attendees can dodge the on-the-gate charges by purchasing their tickets beforehand. Official outlets include The Jockey Club, which offers various ticket options for each day of the meeting.
Prices presently begin at £54 per person for the Best Mate Enclosure, positioned directly opposite the main grandstand and next to the finish line. A reserved seat in the Grandstand is priced at £210 per person, offering what’s described as ‘one of the finest views’ in racing.
For those wishing to indulge, VIP and hospitality tickets for each day of the races are currently available at Seat Unique. Prices start from £799 for the Champions Club Restaurant, which includes a four-course meal and complimentary bar, as well as a viewing box with a view of the racecourse.
More luxurious experiences include The Privilege Suite, hosted by football legends Alan Brazil and Ray Parlour. In addition to a club enclosure admission badge, this package offers a VIP hostess service and celebrity tipster, along with food, drinks, and a range of other perks, all for £1,585 per person.
Some tickets have already surfaced on resale platforms such as viagogo and StubHub, where fans can sell their tickets if they’re unable to attend. Prices fluctuate daily, sometimes significantly higher or lower than face value, but fortunate buyers might stumble upon a bargain.
Cheltenham Festival 2026.
The Cheltenham Festival 2026 kicks off on Tuesday, March 10, and runs until Friday, March 13. Gates open at 10.30am each day of the festival, with the first race starting at 1.20pm and the final one at 5.20pm.
Full race schedule – dates and times.
Day 1: Champion Day – Tuesday, March 10.
1.20pm – The Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1).
2.00pm – The Singer Arkle Novices’ Chase (Grade 1).
2.40pm – The McCoys Contracts Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap).
3.20pm – The Ultima Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap).
4.00pm – The Unibet Champion Hurdle (Grade 1).
4.40pm – The TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap).
5.20pm – The Princess Royal National Hunt Novices’ Handicap Chase.
Day 2: Ladies Day – Wednesday, March 11.
1.20pm – The Turners Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1).
2.00pm – The Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase (Grade 1).
2.40pm – The Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap).
3.20pm – The Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase.
4.00pm – The BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1).
4.40pm – The Debenhams Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap).
5.20pm – The Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Grade 1).
Day 3: St Patrick’s Thursday – Thursday, March 12.
1.20pm – The Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2).
2.00pm – The Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (Grade 2).
2.40pm – The Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 1).
3.20pm – The Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1).
4.00pm – The Ryanair Chase (Grade 1).
4.40pm – The Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap).
5.20pm – The Rosconn Group Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase.
Day 4: Gold Cup Day – Friday, March 13.
1.20pm – The JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1).
2.00pm – The William Hill County Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap).
2.40pm – The Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase (Grade 2).
3.20pm – The Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1).
4.00pm – The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup (Grade 1).
4.40pm – The Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase.
5.20pm – The Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle.