Cheltenham Festival 2026: Dates, Races & Betting Overview
TL;DR
The Cheltenham Festival 2026 takes place from Tuesday 10 March to Friday 13 March 2026. The four-day National Hunt festival features 28 races, including iconic events like the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle and Queen Mother Champion Chase. In this guide, we cover the full race schedule, key days, betting markets and how punters prepare for Cheltenham.
What Is the Cheltenham Festival?
The Cheltenham Festival is the biggest event in the National Hunt racing calendar. Held annually at Cheltenham Racecourse in Gloucestershire, it attracts the best horses, trainers and jockeys from the UK and Ireland.
Across four days, punters can expect:
- Elite Grade 1 racing
- Fierce UK vs Ireland rivalries
- Heavy betting volumes across all markets
- A unique atmosphere unmatched in jump racing
For many bettors, Cheltenham is the most important betting week of the year.
Cheltenham Festival 2026 Dates
The Cheltenham Festival 2026 runs from:
Tuesday 10 March 2026 – Friday 13 March 2026
Each day has its own identity, headlined by a championship race.
Cheltenham Festival Race Breakdown
Champion Day (Tuesday)
Champion Day opens the festival with pace and precision. The highlight is the Champion Hurdle, the fastest and most tactical championship race of the week.
Key races include:
- Champion Hurdle
- Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
- Arkle Novices’ Chase
This day often sets the tone for the entire festival, both on the track and in the betting markets.
Ladies Day (Wednesday)
Despite the name, Ladies Day is all about speed and jumping accuracy. The feature race is the Queen Mother Champion Chase, run over two miles at relentless pace.
Other major races:
- Champion Bumper
- Cross Country Chase
- Coral Cup Hurdle
This day frequently produces shock results, making it popular with value-hunters.
St Patrick’s Thursday
Thursday is traditionally dominated by Irish runners and fans. The headline act is the Stayers’ Hurdle, a gruelling three-mile test.
Notable races:
- Stayers’ Hurdle
- Ryanair Chase
- Paddy Power Plate
Many bettors consider Thursday the best day for following Irish form lines.
Gold Cup Day (Friday)
The festival concludes with the most prestigious jump race in the world: the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Other big races on Friday include:
- Triumph Hurdle
- Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle
- Foxhunter Chase
Gold Cup Day attracts the highest betting turnover of the entire festival.
Cheltenham Festival Betting Overview
Cheltenham offers more betting opportunities than any other UK racing event. Markets are available months in advance and peak during race week.
Popular Cheltenham Betting Markets
- Ante-post betting – early prices before final declarations
- Win & each-way bets – standard race betting
- Non-runner no bet (NRNB) markets
- Place markets (top 2, 3 or 4 finishers)
- Match bets (horse vs horse)
- Multiples & accumulators
- Day and festival specials (top trainer, top jockey, most winners)
Liquidity is extremely high, meaning competitive odds across bookmakers and exchanges.
How Punters Prepare for Cheltenham
Serious Cheltenham bettors usually prepare weeks or even months in advance. Common preparation includes:
- Tracking trial races throughout the season
- Monitoring trainer and jockey form
- Studying past Cheltenham course form
- Watching ground conditions closely
- Following market movements and price shifts
Because fields are competitive and margins are fine, preparation is key.
Cheltenham Festival 2026 Tips & Strategy
While no strategy guarantees profit, experienced bettors often focus on:
- Horses proven at Cheltenham’s undulating track
- Strong Irish-trained runners in championship races
- Avoiding over-exposed short-priced favourites
- Targeting value rather than picking winners blindly
Cheltenham rewards discipline more than impulse betting.
Final Thoughts on Cheltenham Festival 2026
The Cheltenham Festival 2026 promises four days of world-class racing, massive betting interest and unforgettable moments. Whether you’re a casual fan or a serious punter, understanding the schedule, races and betting landscape gives you a clear edge before the tapes go up in March.
