When does the Cheltenham Festival start?

9 Mar 2026 • 11:30 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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  • The Cheltenham Festival is a four-day National Hunt jump racing event, which starts on Tuesday March 10, 2026.
  • The festival features 28 races in total, including Friday’s Gold Cup, with seven races scheduled each day, including 13 Grade 1 races, and a mix of hurdle, chase, bumper, and cross-country events.
  • Races commence each day at 1:20pm GMT, with the final race starting at 5:20pm.
  • Irish trainers, particularly Willie Mullins, are expected to perform strongly, while British trainers aim to reverse a decade of Irish dominance in the Prestbury Cup.
  • Tickets for the festival vary in price, with Club Enclosure starting from £103.50, Tattersalls from £73.80, and the Best Mate enclosure from £54, though Gold Cup day tickets for Club and Tattersalls are sold out.

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