The Cheltenham Festival 2026 is fast approaching and racing enthusiasts can book their places right now. In under a month's time, Cheltenham Racecourse will once again welcome four days packed with racing, refreshments, dining and entertainment.

Running from March 10-13, the festival features 28 races spanning Champion Day, Ladies Day, St Patrick's Thursday and Gold Cup Day. Key fixtures include the Unibet Champion Hurdle and the prestigious Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Steeple Chase.

Racing devotees who haven't yet secured their ticketswill find numerous options still available, ranging from general admission through to premium VIP and hospitality packages. Whilst early bird tickets went on sale last year, attendees can still make savings by purchasing in advance.

Here's everything you need to know about getting Cheltenham Festival tickets now.

Tickets for the Cheltenham Festival 2026 are available now, with advance bookings helping racegoers dodge higher on-the-gate prices. Official outlets include The Jockey Club, offering various ticket types for each day of the festival.

Current prices begin at £54 per person for the Best Mate Enclosure, positioned directly across from the main grandstand and next to the finish line. Reserved seating in the Grandstand is priced at £210 per person, promising what's described as 'one of the best views' in racing.

For those wanting to splash out, VIP and hospitality packages for each day of the races are available now through Seat Unique. Prices begin at £799 for the Champions Club Restaurant, which features a four-course dinner, complimentary bar and a viewing box with racecourse views.

More luxurious options include The Privilege Suite, hosted by football legends Alan Brazil and Ray Parlour. Priced at £1,585 per person, this package offers club enclosure access, VIP hostess service, celebrity tipster advice, plus food, beverages and numerous other perks.

Tickets have also started appearing on resale platforms such as viagogoand StubHub, where supporters can offload their seats if unable to attend. Pricing fluctuates daily and may exceed or fall below face value, though savvy shoppers might snap up a deal.

When is Cheltenham Festival 2026.

Cheltenham Festival 2026 runs from Tuesday, March 10, through to Friday, March 13. Entry gates open at 10.30am each day, with the opening race at 1.20pm and the final race at 5.20pm.

Full race schedule – dates and times.

Day 1: Champion Day – Tuesday, March 10.

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.

Day 2: Ladies Day – Wednesday, March 11.

1.20pm – The Turners Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1).

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).

Day 3: St Patrick's Thursday – Thursday, March 12.

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.

Day 4: Gold Cup Day – Friday, March 13.

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.