When is the Cheltenham Festival?

The big week has almost arrived, with the Olympics of horse racing imminent, as the Cheltenham Festival rolls round once again. 

Here at Betfred, we're going all out for the festival and will have expert tips, as well as exclusive price boosts and offers and we'll tell you everything you need to know ahead of the greatest show on turf...

So when is the Cheltenham Festival?

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New customers only. 00:00 06/03/26 – 23:59 13/03/26. Deposit via Debit Card & place first bet £10+ (1/1)+ on Sports in 7 days. £20 Sports & £20 in Acca Free Bets within 24 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility, payment excls & T&Cs Apply.

What is the Cheltenham Festival?

The Cheltenham Festival is a four-day horse racing meeting that is the highlight of the National Hunt season and is second only in prize money to the Grand National.

It takes place in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire and sees hundreds of thousands of horse racing fans descend upon the course annually, in the hope of seeing the best thoroughbred horses on the planet.

The pinnacle of the week is the Cheltenham Gold Cup, which is the championship race on the Friday and is a race that looks wide open this year.

How do I bet on the Cheltenham Festival?

You can open an account online with Betfred and you will receive £40 in free bets if you deposit and stake £10. Alternatively you can visit one of our 1000+ high street shops and one of our friendly shop staff will make you a brew and talk you through how to place your bets.

Which horses are running at the Cheltenham Festival?

Not every decision has been made yet by the trainers and the completed running order for the races or the declarations are made 48 hours before race time. However, we are pretty certain of most of the big horses taking part including the shortest-priced favourite of the week Majborough in the Queen Mother Champion Chase, The New Lion in the Champion Hurdle on the opening day and Gaelic Warrior in the massive Cheltenham Gold Cup, after Galopin Des Champs was ruled out last week.

Have a brilliant Cheltenham Festival whether this is your first or one of many and please stick around at Betfred Insights to get all your latest expert analysis and tips!

Cheltenham Festival Schedule

Day One: Tuesday, 10th March

13:20: Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
14:00: Arkle Novices’ Chase
14:40: Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
15:20: Ultima Handicap Chase
16:00: Champion Hurdle
16:40: Plate Handicap Chase
17:20: National Hunt Chase

Day Two: Wednesday, 11th March

13:20: Turners Novices’ Hurdle
14:00: Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase
14:40: Coral Cup
15:20: Cross Country Chase
16:00: Champion Chase
16:40: Grand Annual
17:20: Champion Bumper

Day Three: Thursday, 12th March

13:20: Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle
14:00: Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase
14:40: Mares’ Hurdle
15:20: Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle
16:00: Ryanair Chase
16:40: Pertemps Network Final
17:20: Kim Muir

Day Four: Friday, 13th March

13:20: Triumph Hurdle
14:00: County Hurdle
14:40: Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase
15:20: Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle
16:00: Cheltenham Gold Cup
16:40: Festival Hunters’ Chase
17:20: Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle

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Opt in req. £10 Win/EW single on 13:20 Cheltenham 10-13/03/26. £5 E/W will count. Free Bets on settlement. Restricted to bets on Cheltenham. Removed 17:30 on same day. T&Cs Apply.

Sports Welcome Offer

New customers only. 00:00 06/03/26 – 23:59 13/03/26. Deposit via Debit Card & place first bet £10+ (1/1)+ on Sports in 7 days. £20 Sports & £20 in Acca Free Bets within 24 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility, payment excls & T&Cs Apply.

Of course, make sure you bookmark our Betfred Insights Cheltenham Betting Tips hub page , as we will have dozens of articles on Festival week with all the latest news, tips, offers and much more...