Cheltenham Festival 2026 tickets on sale now – prices from £54 | Racing | Sport
Jockeys and their horses compete in the Cross Country Chase, the fourth race on the second day of the Cheltenham Festival (Image: JUSTIN TALLIS, AFP via Getty Images)
The Cheltenham Festival 2026 is fast approaching and racing enthusiasts can book their places now. In under a month’s time, Cheltenham Racecourse will once more 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 those 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. Whilst early bird tickets for the festival became available last year, 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 currently available and racegoers can dodge the on-the-gate charges by purchasing their tickets beforehand. Official outlets include The Jockey Club, which offers various ticket choices 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 best views’ in racing.
For racegoers wanting to splash out, VIP and hospitality packages for each day are available now through Seat Unique. These begin at £799 for the Champions Club Restaurant, featuring a four-course meal with complimentary bar access, plus a viewing box with racecourse views.
More luxurious options include The Privilege Suite, presented by football legends Alan Brazil and Ray Parlour. Alongside club enclosure admission, this package offers VIP hostess service and celebrity tipster, in addition to food, beverages and numerous other perks, priced at £1,585 per person.
Resale tickets and viagogo
Sites such as viagogo, Stubhub, and Vivid Seats allow fans to buy resale tickets from other fans. However, it is important to note that ticket conditions often prohibit resale after initial purchase. Those tickets may not be valid for admittance to gigs.
Fans intending to buy tickets for live events through resale websites should check the ticket terms and conditions, to confirm whether resale is prohibited, before they buy. Ticket terms and conditions can be checked with the original seller, such as Ticketmaster or Live Nation. If resale is prohibited, tickets bought second-hand could be voided and admission to the event refused.
Tickets have also started appearing on resale platforms such as viagogo and StubHub, where fans can list their tickets if they’re unable to attend. Pricing fluctuates daily, with some considerably above or below face value, though bargain hunters might strike lucky.
When is Cheltenham Festival 2026.
Cheltenham Festival 2026 runs from Tuesday, March 10, through to Friday, March 13. Gates open at 10.30am each day of the festival, with racing commencing at 1.20pm and concluding at 5.20pm.
Full race schedule – dates and times.
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.
1.20pm – The Turners Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1).
The Cheltenham Festival takes place from March 10th to 13th (Image: JUSTIN TALLIS, AFP via Getty Images)
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).
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.
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.
