Tuesday 10th March 2026

Champion Hurdle Day is the opening day of the Festival and considered by many to be one of the best days. With seven highly contested races, the atmosphere on the first day is electric and is epitomized by the roar that welcomes the flag fall for the first race.

Wednesday 11th March 2026

The Wednesday of the Festival is a favourite, playing host to two incredible Championship Chase Races. The first, the RSA Steeple Chase over 3 and a bit miles, is for young chasers whose ultimate aim will be the Gold Cup in a couple of years’. This is immediately followed by the Queen Mother Champion Chase, run over 2 miles, where jumping and speed are the attributes required to succeed. in this event. For those of you who really enjoy watching horses over the bigger obstacles, this is the day for you.

Thursday 12th March 2026

Thursday, now well known as St Patrick’s Thursday features the brilliant World Hurdle and Ryanair Chase . This day is full of vibrant, Irish charm and sets the scene wonderfully for the history about to be created on Gold Cup Day.

Friday 13th March 2026

Friday is Gold Cup Day and is the busiest day on the racecourse. This day more than any is where we recommend travelling onboard our magnificent steam train, as the traffic getting in and out of the event is colossal. As with all days of the Festival, taking the steam train will ensure you have a traffic and stress-free day. There are 7 wonderful races to enjoy including the historic Gold Cup at 3.20 and if you combine this with our hospitality and steam train transfer, you will have a day that will be hard to beat.

There are a number of different ticket options for the Cheltenham Festival..

Club Enclosure

A Club Enclosure badge offers access to Cheltenham's most exclusive areas including the Hall of Fame, Parade Ring and Shopping Village. You can also access the best viewing locations from the Main Grandstand, Viewing Lawns and Winning Post.

Tattersall Enclosure

Tattersall tickets are a little more limited than Club badges and allow guests access to the viewing areas after the winning post and in front of the Guinness Grandstand.

We provide an extensive range of hospitality packages at Cheltenham Racecourse including our well positioned luxury marquees and private / shared boxes with viewing balconies.

View our packages here.

Our magnificent steam train transfer travels from Toddington Railway Station directly to the back of the main Grandstand at Cheltenham Racecourse.

Not only do you experience nostalgic travel upon an old style steam train but you also escape all of the traffic and queues which the Festival is so renowned for!

View full details here.

Both Toddington and Cheltenham are extremely accessible from all areas of the country and we work hard to provide travel options which allow for a stress free journey to the races.

View our travel information here.

For a map of Cheltenham Racecourse click here.

Cheltenham Racecourse is a stunning natural amphitheatre. But it's the undulations of the course, the test of the fences and hurdles and the fight to the finish up the legendary Cheltenham hill that combine to test the true strength of any thoroughbred racehorse and rider.

The Old Course is used for The Showcase, Open and for the first two days of The Cheltenham Festival. Click here to view the old course map.

The New Course is used for The April Meeting, The International, New Year’s Day, Festival Trials and the Thursday & Friday of the Cheltenham Festival. Click here to view the new course map.

The Cross Country is used for The Open, The International and The Cheltenham Festival. Click here to view the course map.

There are three ways to place a bet at Cheltenham Racecourse: on the Tote with totepool; in one of the betting rings with a 'traditional' bookmaker; or in one of the three onsite Betfred betting shops.

There is no dress code at Cheltenham Racecourse.

As the popular race meetings are during the winter months, the weather can be unpredictable, so we would always advise you to dress accordingly.

Cheltenham Racecourse aims to provide an accessible venue for all racegoers including accessible car parks, viewing areas, toilets and lifts to hospitality facilities.

Cheltenham Racecourse offers plenty of on-site car parking available at all race meetings throughout the calendar.

Toddington Railway Station is ideally situated in the beautiful Cotswolds north east of Cheltenham Racecourse. It is surrounded by a number of picturesque villages including Winchcombe, Broadway, Chipping Campden and Moreton-in-Marsh.

We have a range of beautiful 3* and 4* hotel partners located in the Cotswold area.

View our luxury hotel packages here.