The 2026 Grand National at Aintree is scheduled for Saturday 11 April 2026 , with the main Randox Grand National race due off at 4:00 pm (UK time) as part of the three‑day Grand National Festival running 9–11 April 2026.

Quick Scoop 🐎

  • Main question: when is Grand National?
    • Festival dates: Thursday 9 April – Saturday 11 April 2026.
* Big race day: **Grand National Day – Saturday 11 April 2026**.

* Advertised race time: **4:00 pm (16:00 UK time)** for the Grand National itself.
  • Where is it held?
    • Venue: Aintree Racecourse , near Liverpool, UK.
  • What else is happening?
    • It’s the climax of a three‑day festival : Opening Day (Thu), Ladies Day (Fri), Grand National Day (Sat), with 20+ races across the meeting.

Key Dates at a Glance

Here’s a quick look at the 2026 Grand National Festival schedule:

[9][5] [5][7][1] [3][9][1]
Day Date (2026) What’s On
Opening Day Thursday 9 April Start of the Randox Grand National Festival at Aintree.
Ladies Day Friday 10 April Style‑focused raceday, major graded races and hospitality.
Grand National Day Saturday 11 April Main **Randox Grand National Handicap Chase** around 4:00 pm, plus supporting races.

Extra Bits (If You’re Planning Around It)

  • TV & watching: UK coverage is set to be on ITV1 for the big race, with millions expected to tune in.
  • Crowds & atmosphere: The festival typically attracts over 150,000 fans across the three days.
  • Race length: The Grand National is about 4 miles 2½ furlongs , one of the longest and most demanding jump races in the calendar.

TL;DR: If you’re searching “when is Grand National,” mark Saturday 11 April 2026, 4:00 pm in your calendar for the main race, with the wider festival running 9–11 April 2026 at Aintree.

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