The Cheltenham Festival in 2026 runs from Tuesday 10 March to Friday 13 March 2026 at Cheltenham Racecourse.

Quick Scoop: When Is Cheltenham?

If you’re asking “when is Cheltenham,” most people mean the Cheltenham Festival , the big National Hunt (jumps) racing meeting.

  • Dates: Tuesday 10 March – Friday 13 March 2026.
  • Location: Cheltenham Racecourse, Gloucestershire, UK.
  • Format: 4 days, 28 races, including 14 Grade 1 contests.
  • Gates open: About 10:30 each day, first race 13:20, last race 17:20.

A rough “feel” of the week:

  1. Tuesday – Champion Day: Features the Unibet Champion Hurdle.
  1. Wednesday – Ladies/Style Day: Focus on fashion and the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
  1. Thursday – St Patrick’s Thursday: Strong Irish presence, includes the Stayers’ Hurdle and Ryanair Chase.
  1. Friday – Gold Cup Day: Climax of the week with the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Mini FAQ

  • Is it always in March?
    Yes, the Cheltenham Festival is traditionally held over four days in mid- March.
  • Is there Cheltenham racing outside the Festival?
    Yes, Cheltenham has other meetings through the jumps season, but “Cheltenham” in conversation usually means the Festival in March.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.