Cheltenham Festival 2026: A Comprehensive Guide

The Cheltenham Festival, a cornerstone of the British sporting calendar, returns in 2026, promising four days of thrilling jump racing action. From Tuesday, March 10th to Friday, March 13th, the best horses and jockeys will compete for glory at Cheltenham Racecourse. This guide provides everything you need to realize about the 2026 Festival, including the schedule, coverage details, and betting tips.

Cheltenham Festival 2026: Dates and Schedule

The 2026 Cheltenham Festival will span four days, each featuring seven races. Racing typically begins around 1:20 PM each day, with the major races scheduled for approximately 4:00 PM and the final races concluding around 5:20 PM. Each day also has a dedicated theme:

• Tuesday, March 10th: Champion Day
• Wednesday, March 11th: Ladies Day
• Thursday, March 12th: St Patrick’s Thursday
• Friday, March 13th: Gold Cup Day

Champion Day – Tuesday, March 10th

• 1:20 PM: Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) – 2m 87y
• 2:00 PM: Singer Challenge Trophy Arkle Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) – 1m 7f 199y
• 2:40 PM: McCoy Contractors Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) – 2m 87y
• 3:20 PM: Trustmarque Ultima Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) – 3m 1f
• 4:00 PM: Unibet Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) – 2m 87y
• 4:40 PM: Sun Racing Plate Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) – 2m 4f 44y
• 5:20 PM: National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices’ Handicap Chase – 3m 5f 201

Ladies Day – Wednesday, March 11th

• 1:20 PM: Turners Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) – 2m 5f
• 2:00 PM: Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) – 3m 80y
• 2:40 PM: BetMGM Cup Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) – 2m 5f
• 3:20 PM: Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase – 3m 6f 37y
• 4:00 PM: BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1) – 1m 7f 199y
• 4:40 PM: Debenhams Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) – 1m 7f 199y
• 5:20 PM: Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Grade 1) – 2m 87

St Patrick’s Thursday – Thursday, March 12th

• 1:20 PM: Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) – 2m 179y
• 2:00 PM: Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (Grade 2) – 2m 4f 127y
• 2:40 PM: Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 1) – 2m 4f 56y
• 3:20 PM: Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1) – 2m 7f 213y
• 4:00 PM: Ryanair Chase (Grade 1) – 2m 4f 127y
• 4:40 PM: Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap.) – 2m 7f 113y
• 5:20 PM: Rosconn Group Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase – 3m 2f

Gold Cup Day – Friday, March 13th

• 1:20 PM: JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1) – 2m 179y
• 2:00 PM: William Hill County Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) – 2m 179y
• 2:40 PM: Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase (Grade 2) – 2m 4f 127y
• 3:20 PM: Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) – 2m 7f 213y
• 4:00 PM: Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup (Grade 1) – 3m 2f 70y
• 4:40 PM: Princess Royal Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase – 3m 2f 70y
• 5:20 PM: Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle – 2m 4f 56y

Cheltenham Festival 2026: Coverage

talkSPORT will provide live coverage of all races throughout the festival. Commentary will be provided by Lee McKenzie, Emmet Kennedy, and Tony McCormick on talkSPORT 2, with the first five races of each day also available on talkSPORT. A preview show at 10:00 AM each day, hosted by Rupert Bell and Lizzie Kelly, will air on talkSPORT. You can listen via the talkSPORT website, app, DAB digital radio, smart speaker, or on 1089 or 1053 AM. Race-by-race updates and reaction will also be available on the talkSPORT live blog. ITV will offer free-to-air television coverage of the event.

Cheltenham Festival 2026: Betting Tips

talkSPORT will offer betting tips and free bet offers throughout the festival. Odds are available on talkSPORT BET, and resident tipsters will provide daily selections.

The 2025 Cheltenham Festival saw Inothewayurthinkin claim a stunning victory in the Gold Cup, denying Galopin Des Champs a historic third consecutive win. The 2026 edition promises another week of drama and excitement for horse racing fans.