As we approach the end of another year, it is fair to say that we have witnessed some considerable horse racing action over the last 12 months at one of British racing’s great racetracks and we’re certain that next year will not disappoint either as we take a look at what is coming up at Cheltenham in 2026!
So, kicking us off, we of course have The New Year’s Day Meeting on January 1 with many people expected as they look to shake off any hangover from the night before on what could be a fresh but sunny start as winter beckons.
Just a few weeks later on January 24, we then have Festival Trials Day, essentially the last chance to impress before the big event a couple of months later and this will no doubt, draw a sizable crowd, many of whom will be watching on keenly with intrigue.
| Date | Meeting |
|---|---|
| New Year’s Day Meeting | January 1, 2026 |
| Festival Trials Day | January 24, 2026 |
| The Cheltenham Festival | March 10 – March 13, 2026 |
| The April Meeting | April 15 – April 16, 2026 |
| Race Night | May 1, 2026 |
| The Showcase Meeting | October 23 – October 24, 2026 |
| The November Meeting | November 13 – November 15, 2026 |
| The Christmas Meeting | December 11 – December 12, 2026 |
And then of course, it is the big one; the one you’ve all been waiting for and there are so many stories and even sub-plots to be excited about. All eyes will naturally be on Willie Mullins and whether he can make it three in row for Festival Winning Trainer and, it certainly sounds as though he might have a fair few running! Trial’s Day will likely shed more light on this though.
The April Meeting and Race Night to end the jump season could well determine who wins the Champion Jockey and Trainer for the season, before a well-earned summer break!
New Surprises For A New Season?!
It is only natural to expect some progress or developments going into a new season and Cheltenham is certainly the place to experiment, or, to a degree at least.
The horses get three more cracks at it before the end of the year with The Showcase Meeting in October, The November Meeting and The Christmas Meeting which should all draw decent sized crowds.
The only major changes for the upcoming events that we’re hearing about is a possible reduced field size for some races at the Cheltenham Festival, with the Coral Cup possibly being affected because of this.
If you like Guinness, we’ve heard a whisper that there may be a slight increase in the price of a pint, though the good news is, there will be plenty of fine racing action! We will, of course, keep this page updated with any changes as soon as we hear of them.
Cheltenham Festival Races 2026
Champion Day
| Time | Race | Grade | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13:20 | Supreme Novices’ Hurdle | Grade 1 | 2m, 87y |
| 14:00 | Arkle Challenge Trophy | Grade 1 | 1m 7f 199y |
| 14:40 | Juvenile Handicap Hurdle | Premier H’cap | 2m 87y |
| 15:20 | Ultima Handicap Chase | Premier H’cap | 3m 1f |
| 16:00 | The Champion Hurdle | Grade 1 | 2m 87y |
| 16:40 | Plate Handicap Chase | Premier H’cap | 2m 4f 44y |
| 17:20 | The Princess Royal National Hunt Chase | Class 2 Novice | 3m 5f 201y |
Ladies Day
| Time | Race | Grade | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13:20 | Turners Novices’ Hurdle | Grade 1 | 2m 5f |
| 14:00 | Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase | Grade 1 | 3m 1f |
| 14:40 | BetMGM Cup Handicap Hurdle | Premier H’cap | 2m 5f |
| 15:20 | Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase | Class 2 Chase | 3m 5f 56y |
| 16:00 | Queen Mother Champion Chase | Grade 1 | 1m 7f 199y |
| 16:40 | Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase | Premier H’cap | 1m 7f 199y |
| 17:20 | Weatherbys Champion Bumper | Grade 1 | 2m 87y |
St Patrick’s Thursday
| Time | Race | Grade | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13:20 | Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle | Grade 2 | 2m 179y |
| 14:00 | Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase | Grade 2 | 2m 4f 127y |
| 14:40 | Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle | Grade 1 | 2m 4f 56y |
| 15:20 | The Stayers’ Hurdle | Grade 1 | 2m 7f 213y |
| 16:00 | Ryanair Chase | Grade 1 | 2m 4f 127y |
| 16:40 | Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle | Premier H’cap | 2m 7f 213y |
| 17:20 | Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup | Class 2 Chase | 3m 2f 70y |
Gold Cup Day
| Time | Race | Grade | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13:20 | JCB Triumph Hurdle | Grade 1 | 2m 179y |
| 14:00 | County Handicap Hurdle | Premier H’cap | 2m 179y |
| 14:40 | Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase | Grade 2 | 2m 4f 127y |
| 15:20 | Spa Novices’ Hurdle | Grade 1 | 2m 7f 213y |
| 16:00 | The Cheltenham Gold Cup | Grade 1 | 3m 2f 70y |
| 16:40 | Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase | Class 2 Chase | 3m 2f 70y |
| 17:20 | Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle | Class 2 Hurdle | 2m 4f 56y |
With arguably the most anticipated jump racing events in the sport just around the corner, we’ve taken a look at what punters can expect if attending the Cheltenham Festival next year, based on changes we’ve heard rumours about plus a couple that we know already and what these could mean for your experience.
Every year no doubt, you are intrigued to find out what is new or, even better than the previous year, but the good news is, you won’t have long to wait to officially find out.
Changes This Year
What we can say that we are fairly sure about is that there will be a reduced number cap per day than last year’s event, meaning that instead of a cap of 68,500 this has been decreased to 66,000.
Perhaps the news that most of you will be pleased about is that from what we’re hearing, the price of a pint of Guinness has been reduced; down from £7.80 to £7.50 which were 2022 post-COVID-19 rates.
Also being reported is that there will be a permanent lifting of all tracking drink restrictions, meaning that you will, more or less be able to take your drink wherever you go; this probably likely because of the expected reduced capacity, which would make sense.
It is also understood that last years’ bars which were split between Cottage Rake and Mill House will be amalgamated into a single one venue for this year at Prestbury View.
| Feature | 2025 | Expected Changes: 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Daily Attendance Cap | Capped at 68,500 people | Reduced to 66,000 max per day |
| Guinness / Draught Pint Price | Priced at £7.80 | Reduced to £7.50 (2022 price levels) |
| Trackside Beverage Rules | Restricted movement in Club Enclosures | Permanent lifting of all tracking drink restrictions |
| Grandstand Bar Layout | Separate Cottage Rake & Mill House bars | Amalgamated into a single venue: “Prestbury View” |
| Wednesday Branding | Marketed under the rebrand “Style Wednesday” | Reverted to traditional “Ladies’ Day” moniker |
| Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 1) | Run on Tuesday (Old Course – 2m 3f 200y) | Moved to Thursday (New Course – 2m 4f 56y) |
| Plate Handicap Chase | Run on Thursday | Moved to Tuesday’s card |
| Max Fields (County & Bumper) | Capped at 24 and 24 runners respectively | Capped at 24 (Handicap)/22 (Novice) and 22 runners |
While last year there was a “Style Wednesday”, we’re hearing that this will now revert back to “Ladies Day” and as such, will be reflected in the branding.
In terms of races, we are likely to see the Plate Handicap Chase moved to Tuesday from Thursday; this being the same for the Mares’ Hurdle (Group 1), while the fields could be reduced to 22 for Novices, down from 24 last year.
Overall though, this year’s festival does seem to offer a lot of promise and hopefully, these changes will turn out to be for the better!