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Cheltenham Festival

Champion Day


Tuesday 10 March 2026

Reigning and future Champions unite! Are you ready for the Cheltenham Roar?

The Step into the magic of Champion Day, the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival, where the roar of the crowd, the thunder of hooves, and the spirit of true racing legends sets the pace of what's to come.


The return of Jump Racings greatest Festival

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This day is a celebration of the finest horses and jockeys, who converge on the hallowed grounds of Cheltenham Racecourse to battle for glory. The highlight of the day is the prestigious Unibet Champion Hurdle, a Grade 1 race over 2 miles, featuring the most skilled hurdlers in the world. Feel the drama unfold as horses surge towards the finish line, with every stride steeped in tradition and adrenaline.

Champion Day is a real experience. The Supreme and The My Pension Expert Arkle back to back really kick start the week with a bang. Each race builds a story, every cheer creates a memory. Whether you're a racing purist or simply love the thrill of the sport, the atmosphere on Champion Day is electric.

From the prestigious Club enclosure, which includes the Orchard experience, to the vibrant atmosphere of Best Mate, Cheltenham offers something for everyone because, truly, nothing feels like Cheltenham.

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Our Enclosures

Club Enclosure

There's no better way to experience a day at the races, than the unrivalled Club Experience. Enjoy exclusive access to all premium public areas and breathtaking views from the main grandstand, Members' lawn, and the iconic winning post.

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Tattersalls Enclosure

Experience the excitement of the raceday from the Tattersalls Enclosure. Located in the heart of the racecourse, this vibrant enclosure offers a great view of the thrilling races. (Club customers can access all the Tattersall areas).

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Best Mate Enclosure

Best Mate Enclosure offers an atmosphere like no other. Arguably with the best views of the racing directly opposite the main grandstand and adjacent to the finish line. Best Mate is a favourite spot for groups, offering the perfect setting for a day of unforgettable racing action and celebration.

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Premium Areas

Enhance your day in one of our Premium Areas.


Plan your day

Enclosures

We have three enclosures at The Cheltenham Festival and the type of ticket you buy will grant you access to different areas.

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Plan Your Day

Plan your visit to Cheltenham Festival, from the Shopping Village, to live music, to discounts on group bookings. 

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Travel & Parking

We want to ensure that getting to Cheltenham Racecourse is made as easy as possible. Book your coach journey with National Express or your plan your bus journey from Cheltenham Spa station.

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Off-track Entertainment

There will be live entertainment before, during and after racing in all three enclosures across all four days of the Cheltenham Festival.

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Cheltenham Festival Style

Although there isn't an official dress code for The Cheltenham Festival, smart is preferable and often adopted. We advise you to check the forecast and dress accordingly to make your day with us as extraordinary as possible.

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The Shopping Village

The shopping experience at The Cheltenham Festival offers an ideal shopping opportunity with plenty of shops ready to sell a diverse range of goods with something to suit every taste and budget.

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Merchandise

Cheltenham Racecourse is one of the most popular sporting venues in the country, welcoming over 400,000 racegoers a year. It is a pilgrimage for racing fans from across the world. We operate a gift shop on every race day, so you can take away a special memory of your visit. It is our pleasure to now offer you some of our favourite items for online purchase.

Festival FAQs

Our postcode is GL50 4SH for use with GPS equipment. However on a raceday customers are strongly advised to follow the yellow, temporary signs when entering Cheltenham and the local area and not the brown permanent signs.

 

Please check the event schedule for the most up to date timings.

 

Please note that these times are subject to change.

All racegoers intending to park on-site during Cheltenham Festival will require a car parking pass. The parking passes are no longer available to purchase online.

There is no set dress code for Cheltenham Festival but we ask customers to dress for the weather, take some inspiration from our Style Guide on our dress code page.

 

Cookie Policy

We use “cookies” to help enhance your experience and improve the functionality of our website. You can find out more in our cookie policy. We also serve cookies, some with chocolate chips, on our racecourses.

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