The thunderous hoofbeats, the crowd's uproar, and the heart-stopping finishes — welcome to the Cheltenham Festival, the jewel in the crown of National Hunt racing. This four-day extravaganza transforms the countryside of Gloucestershire in March into the very center of the horse-racing world, as thousands of fans come to the event and millions more watch on television.

This renowned jump racing festival draws the best horses, jockeys, and trainers from across Britain and Ireland to compete in the picturesque Cotswold Hills. And heart-stopping drama and sporting excellence are part of the show at the 2026 Cheltenham Festival, just as they have been for generations of captivated racing fans.

Cheltenham Festival Tournament Information

The Cheltenham Festival is the zenith of National Hunt racing — a four-day spectacle each March at the historic Cheltenham Racecourse in Gloucestershire, England. This celebration pulls in the very best horses, jockeys, and trainers from both the UK and Ireland. Each day has its own distinguishing championship event, showcasing various forms of jump racing.

The Festival has an estimated £270 million economic impact, far exceeding that of any sports event at Cheltenham. And a cultural event it is, world-class in all ways. The 2026 edition, set for March 10-13, will once again make Cheltenham the epicenter of jump racing. The Festival mixes elite competition with storied tradition and pageantry to give us something resembling jump-racing's version of the Olympics.

Cheltenham Festival History

The Cheltenham Festival goes back to 1860. That is when the National Hunt Chase was first run. The festival began modestly but has grown into one of sport's top events. It has been at its current location — Prestbury Park — in Cheltenham since 1911, with only wartime and rare cancellations as exceptions.

The festivity's status received a shot in the arm with the introduction of the Gold Cup in 1924. It grew during the 20th century. The Champion Hurdle of 1927 and the Queen Mother Champion Chase of 1959 are two more reasons for this increase in reputation. Then there is the "Cheltenham roar." This started as the crowd erupting at the beginning of a race but has grown in importance as part of the festival's identity and has become central to the festival's unique atmosphere.

Cheltenham Festival Format

The Cheltenham Festival is a four-day racing spectacle. Each day has its own character, and each has championship races that serve as the highlights. The headline championship event typically begins at 4:00 PM, delivering the day's climactic moment.

Starting in 2025, the experience will be reshaped by six program changes. But the core structure stays. Days start with novice races showcasing rising stars, progress through tactical handicaps, and culminate in championships that decide careers. This balance of tradition and innovation keeps the festival current and revered within National Hunt racing.

Previous Cheltenham Festival Winners

The festival's honor roll reads like racing royalty. Golden Miller's five Gold Cups from 1932 to 1936 is a standout achievement. The legendary Arkle, who was dominant in the 1960s and won three Gold Cups, set a standard for chasers that probably has no equal.

In recent decades, new icons have emerged: Desert Orchid turned the testing ground into a place to win the 1989 Gold Cup; Dawn Run rang rare changes to land a double of Champion Hurdle and Gold Cup; and Kauto Star returned as Gold Cup champion in 2009. The reigns of trainer Willie Mullins and jockey Ruby Walsh have also come to define modern-day festival greatness.

Top Horses for this year's Cheltenham Festival

The 2026 Festival guarantees to shed light on truly remarkable equine talent. Though still forming, the lineup fuels excitement with both established champions and emerging prospects. A key figure among our anticipated lineup of riders for 2026 is Billy Loughnane, a Group 1-winning talent who has shown exceptional ability riding Rebel's Romance and comes highly rated, with Mick Fitzgerald praising his championship potential.

The Champion Hurdle field appears to be highly competitive and full of promise. Several promising five- and six-year-olds are expected to compete at the top level. Steeplechasers proficient on Cheltenham's unique course will feature prominently, with the imposing uphill finish an unforgiving test of class and endurance.

Experience Cheltenham Festival live!

Submerge yourself in the one-of-a-kind ambiance of the Cheltenham Festival — where the stands erupt with applause and the celebrated "Cheltenham roar" signals the exciting moments of the races. This is not merely a sport; it is total immersion — the ground thunders as the steeds approach the finish line and excitement ripples through the crowd.

The experience goes well beyond racing. The elegant fashion, the vibrant Guinness Village, and the wide range of hospitality options add to the spectacle. Private boxes offer luxury and views, while the bustling enclosures provide energy, camaraderie, and access to 28 thrilling races run over four days. Securing tickets brings you into one of sports' most captivating showcases.

100% Authentic Tickets with Buyer Protection

When purchasing tickets for the Cheltenham Festival, it is essential to have authentic passes and be confident in their legitimacy. This is what Ticombo guarantees on every ticket, through rigorous verification, leaving no room for the kind of doubts the secondary market can sometimes engender. This means you will absolutely, positively never be denied entry because of your ticket.

Our buyer protection covers more than validation. If an event gets canceled, automatic refund policies ensure the security of your purchase. With clear transactions and outstanding customer service, you're shielded from surprise fees and uncertainties — so you can focus on the Cheltenham experience, not ticket worries.

Upcoming Cheltenham Festival Fixtures

10/03/2026: Champions Day Cheltenham Festival Tickets

11/03/2026: Ladies Day Cheltenham Festival Tickets

12/03/2026: St. Patrick's Thursday Cheltenham Festival Tickets

13/03/2026: Gold Cup Day Cheltenham Festival Tickets

Why Buy Cheltenham Festival Tickets on Ticombo

Choosing a ticket vendor for such an important occasion as this carries a lot of weight — and this is where Ticombo really shows its true colors. We are a fan-driven marketplace, connecting real fans with real tickets. By cutting out all the unnecessary middlemen, we keep prices not just reasonable but often downright competitive.

Ticombo's user-friendly platform lets users compare dates, prices, and seats all in one place. International reach unlocks tickets not listed locally, serving overseas fans remarkably well. With convenient mobile access, detailed venue information, and an established record handling major event transactions, Ticombo streamlines getting your Cheltenham Festival tickets.

Authentic Tickets Guaranteed

Ticombo guarantees the authenticity of tickets through advanced verification. Every listing undergoes a dual inspection process, utilizing both digital tools and human reviewers, to construct a reliable sellers' network. This network minimizes risk for you, the ticket buyer.

In case of any problems, our buyer protection policy is immediately put into action. With this dual safeguard — one that prevents problems and one that responds to them — our customers can purchase with total confidence, knowing every ticket is above board.

Secure Transactions

Ticombo secures every purchase with bank-level security. Routine and advanced security threats won't find our personal and financial data vulnerable because they're encrypted and processed through a payment system that puts security first.

Our clear pricing policy means no hidden charges — your total is known up front. The efficient checkout also limits the time your information is exposed, and strong privacy policies maintain security well after the transaction ends.

Fast Delivery Options

Ensuring that tickets arrive as expected is key to making sure that customers have a good experience when they buy from us. Ticombo offers several different ways for customers to get their tickets — instant e-tickets for the most immediate uses, or tracked shipping for those who prefer physical tickets. Every method is integrated with verification, maintaining our high authentication standards.

Buyers who come late to the party can still opt for expedited choices that lend them comfort. The Ticombo application is your digital ticket vault, so you needn't worry about losing paper tickets. Real-time tracking updates mean you follow each step, building anticipation, not anxiety.

When to buy Cheltenham Festival tickets?

When to buy your ticket is all about the availability, pricing, and your personal intentions. If you can, it's best to buy well in advance, which guarantees the most options among enclosures and hospitality offerings — some of which go off sale months in advance. Buying early also tends to get you the cheaper prices at their lowest face value when first released.

Nonetheless, Ticombo's fan market offers some elasticity. If you remain uncertain about your plans, you can still purchase your entry to the event right up until the last moments, and even for sections that are sold out — though prices usually rise as availability falls. For the budget-minded, midweek days (Tuesday and Wednesday) may offer better deals than the very popular Thursday and Gold Cup Friday.

Latest Cheltenham Festival News

As the 2026 Cheltenham Festival draws nearer, notable happenings are afoot. Starting in 2025, six program changes are set to be implemented to enhance the competitive and spectator experience.

A few promising newbies have established themselves as possible stars of Cheltenham with outstanding early seasons. At the same time, top horses are being aimed at particular races, which always makes for a fierce Anglo-Irish rivalry and adds extra intrigue to 2026, as both countries send strong teams.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to purchase Cheltenham Festival tickets?

Purchasing tickets for the Cheltenham Festival from Ticombo is simple and safe. Navigate to the Festival section of the Ticombo website or app, where you can look through listings for each of the four days. Use filters for date, enclosure, or price if you want to get specific. After choosing your tickets, you can check out with several payment options.

There are no concealed charges; you pay exactly what you see. Following your purchase, you will receive immediate confirmation, after which your tickets will be sent to you by your chosen method. If you have any inquiries, our customer service team is at your disposal.

How much are Cheltenham Festival tickets?

Tickets for the festival reflect its high status and appeal to many different budgets. One can gain access to the festival for as little as £40, which will get you general admission to non-premium enclosures on midweek days. If you want to go on a busy day, expect to pay somewhere between £80-£100.

Club Enclosure tickets, which have better facilities and views, start at about £85-£90 on days that are less busy but go up and beyond £150 on days when it's more packed. Packages for hospitality, which include meals and some extras, generally run from £250 to well over £500. On Ticombo, you can still find all these even if the events appear sold out.

When do Cheltenham Festival tickets go on sale?

Tickets for general admission are typically on sale some 10-11 months before the event takes place — April or May for the event the next year. That means this is the window when you can pay the most reasonable prices for face-value tickets. Hospitality options may be listed up to a year ahead.

Ticombo's marketplace adds to availability. Some of its sellers offer tickets that become available almost as soon as the official sales do, and much of the marketplace activity occurs in the three months before an event, especially for high-demand options. For premium experiences like Gold Cup Day hospitality, the secondary market may be the only route once official allocations are gone.