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Cheltenham Festival

St Patrick's Thursday


Thursday 12 March 2026

Irish passion raises the rafters and the battle for the Prestbury Cup heightens.

St. Patrick's Thursday is where the spirit of Cheltenham meets the soul of Ireland, creating an unmatched festival atmosphere that’s both joyous and fiercely competitive.


For celebrations like no other and racing to match

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The day is a celebration of all things Irish, from the exhilarating cheers that echo from the stands to the thrilling races that unfold on the course. Feel the passion as the horses with Irish roots vie for glory, and witness the fervour of Irish racing fans, whose energy turns the racecourse into a sea of green and gold. At the centre of it all is the Ryanair Chase and the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle, two of the festival’s most anticipated events, where unforgettable performances and moments of glory are etched into Cheltenham history.

St. Patrick's Thursday offers an experience filled with Irish music, dance, and camaraderie.

From the lively atmosphere of the Guinness Village to the more exclusive settings of the hospitality suites, every moment is drenched in the unique blend of fun and tradition that only St. Patrick’s Day at Cheltenham can offer. Nothing feels like Cheltenham.

 

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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Other days of Cheltenham Festival


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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