Our comprehensive FAQ guide below provides all the essential information you need to make the most of your race day at the Cheltenham Festival. From arrival times and ticketing details to parking, accessibility, and what to bring, it covers every practical aspect to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience. In addition, the guide includes important race day tips, including hospitality arrangements, dining options, and etiquette advice, helping you plan ahead so you can focus on enjoying one of the most exciting events in the sporting and social calendar.

Jockey in white and red silks riding a horse on a racetrack with a tunnel of spectators in the background and bright sunlight

RACEDAY FAQ’S

Tuesday 10th March 2026
Champion Hurdle Day is the opening day of the Festival and considered by many to be one of the best days. With seven highly contested races, the atmosphere on the first day is electric and is epitomized by the roar that welcomes the flag fall for the first race.
Wednesday 11th March 2026
The Wednesday of the Festival is a favourite, playing host to two incredible Championship Chase Races. The first, the RSA Steeple Chase over 3 and a bit miles, is for young chasers whose ultimate aim will be the Gold Cup in a couple of years’. This is immediately followed by the Queen Mother Champion Chase, run over 2 miles, where jumping and speed are the attributes required to succeed. in this event. For those of you who really enjoy watching horses over the bigger obstacles, this is the day for you.
Thursday 12th March 2026
Thursday, now well known as St Patrick’s Thursday features the brilliant World Hurdle and Ryanair Chase . This day is full of vibrant, Irish charm and sets the scene wonderfully for the history about to be created on Gold Cup Day.
Friday 13th March 2026
Friday is Gold Cup Day and is the busiest day on the racecourse. This day more than any is where we recommend travelling onboard our magnificent steam train, as the traffic getting in and out of the event is colossal. As with all days of the Festival, taking the steam train will ensure you have a traffic and stress-free day. There are 7 wonderful races to enjoy including the historic Gold Cup at 3.20 and if you combine this with our hospitality and steam train transfer, you will have a day that will be hard to beat.
There are a number of different ticket options for the Cheltenham Festival;
Club Enclosure
A Club Enclosure badge offers access to Cheltenham's most exclusive areas including the Hall of Fame, Parade Ring and Shopping Village. You can also access the best viewing locations from the Main Grandstand, Viewing Lawns and Winning Post.
Tattersall Enclosure
Tattersall tickets are a little more limited than Club badges and allow guests access to the viewing areas after the winning post and in front of the Guinness Grandstand.
We also offer reserved seats into the Main Grandstand overlooking the winning post.
Click here to view our ticket options for the Festival
We provide an extensive range of hospitality packages at Cheltenham Racecourse including our well positioned luxury marquees and private / shared boxes with viewing balconies.
View our official VIP hospitality packages here.
Our magnificent steam train transfer travels from Toddington Railway Station directly to the back of the main Grandstand at Cheltenham Racecourse.
Not only do you experience nostalgic travel upon an old style steam train but you also escape all of the traffic and queues which the Festival is so renowned for!
View full details here.
Both Toddington and Cheltenham are extremely accessible from all areas of the country and we work hard to provide travel options which allow for a stress free journey to the races.
View our travel information here.
For a map of Cheltenham Racecourse click here.
Cheltenham Racecourse is a stunning natural amphitheatre. But it's the undulations of the course, the test of the fences and hurdles and the fight to the finish up the legendary Cheltenham hill that combine to test the true strength of any thoroughbred racehorse and rider.
The Old Course is used for The Showcase, Open and for the first two days of The Cheltenham Festival. Click here to view the old course map.
The New Course is used for The April Meeting, The International, New Year’s Day, Festival Trials and the Thursday & Friday of the Cheltenham Festival. Click here to view the new course map.
The Cross Country is used for The Open, The International and The Cheltenham Festival. Click here to view the course map.
There are three ways to place a bet at Cheltenham Racecourse: on the Tote with totepool; in one of the betting rings with a 'traditional' bookmaker; or in one of the three onsite Betfred betting shops.
Click here to view our full style guide
Cheltenham Racecourse aims to provide an accessible venue for all racegoers including accessible car parks, viewing areas, toilets and lifts to hospitality facilities.
Cheltenham Racecourse offers plenty of on-site car parking available at all race meetings throughout the calendar.
The first race is at 1.30pm
The last race is at 5.20pm
We have a range of beautiful 3*, 4* & 5* hotel partners located in the Cotswold area.
View our luxury hotel packages here.

People dining at a betting table inside a racecourse, watching horse races on monitors, with the racetrack visible through large windows.

VIP HOSPITALITY FAQ’S

Your package includes exclusive access to your chosen hospitality facility, a luxurious dining experience, complimentary drinks (where stated), and superior race viewing.
View our VIP hospitality packages for the Festival here
Absolutely. We pride ourselves on offering exceptional dining experiences and can accommodate most dietary requirements, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and allergy-specific requests. Please let us know your preferences when booking so we can ensure everything is prepared to perfection.
We welcome bookings of all sizes. The majority of restaurants at Cheltenham provide private tables for any number but in some facilities, private tables are reserved for groups of 8, 10 and 12 guests, with smaller groups seated on shared tables. Private facilities are also available. Please contact us for details or view our range of packages here
We recommend booking hospitality for the Festival well in advance to ensure you get the option that suits you best as the popular facilities sell out very quickly. We go on sale shortly after the previous Festival has finished.
Yes, Champagne and drinks upgrades are available for purchase by card on the day in most of the hospitality areas.
Yes. We have an expert team who will be on-site at Cheltenham Racecourse for all four days of the Festival to welcome you and assist with any queries and ensure everything runs seamlessly.
Click here to meet the team
You can also view our Book with Confidence information here
Our brilliant office-based team are here to help if you require replacement / lost tickets or hospitality swing badges on the day. Simply call us on 01825 746082 and we’ll be able to assist quickly.
Children are welcome in selected hospitality facilities, although we recommend checking in advance as some premium areas are reserved exclusively for adult guests to maintain the desired atmosphere. Special pricing for younger guests may be available on request.
Yes. Our hospitality team is available to answer any questions you may and help you make the most of your Cheltenham Festival VIP experience. You can reach us directly on 01825 746082 or via e-mail or WhatsApp.

A black steam locomotive emitting steam, with a sign reading 'At The Races Express' on the front, traveling on railway tracks.

STEAM TRAIN FAQ’S

See our full timetable here
If you are driving to Toddington, there is a large hard-standing car park available for guests where you can park up free of charge for the day. Alternatively, we have a taxi and coach drop off area and areas for larger vehicles such as minibuses to park up for the day depending on requirements.
On the morning of a Cheltenham Festival raceday, the atmosphere at Toddington is one of nostalgia, excitement and music as guests are treated to a live jazz band playing on the platform. There is a real buzz around the station as guests board the steam train ready to enjoy their day at Cheltenham.
Yes, light breakfast options such as breakfast rolls, bacon sandwiches, teas and coffees are all available to purchase from The Cotswold Halt Café at Toddington Railway Station.
No. All steam train departures across all four days of the Cheltenham Festival are from Toddington Railway Station.
The journey from Toddington Railway Station to Cheltenham Racecourse takes approximately 35 minutes.
Yes, there is a full cash bar available onboard for both journeys on the steam train with Champagne, Guinness, lager, wine, spirits and soft drinks all available to purchase. Payment by cash only and all drinks are table served.
The steam trains arrive at Cheltenham Racecourse Steam Railway Station which is less than a 2 minute walk from Cheltenham’s North Entrance.
The steam train departs from Cheltenham approximately half an hour after the last race giving you enough time to collect your winnings and make it back to the station in time to board.
Yes, there is a large car park available at Toddington. Please note that all vehicles are left at their own risk.
No. Food and drink is not premitted
We allocated most corporate hospitality guests to the 1st train and all non hospitality guests to the 2nd train.
Yes, all seating onboard the steam train are allocated and we will ensure that all guests in your party are sat together as a group.
Yes. We have private 1st class compartments available and we can also offer private carriages for various different group sizes. Please enquire with us to find out more.

A jockey riding a horse jumping over a hurdle during a horse race on a grassy track.

BOOKING FAQ’S

You can place a booking with us using our online store here or by calling us on 01825 746082, using our online contact form or by sending us a WhatsApp
Yes. All of our payments are processed by Stripe
Yes. You can either fill out our Book by Invoice form here or you can call us on 01825 746082 and we will issue you with an invoice for the package(s) that you’d like to book - this can be settled by bank transfer.
Yes. We can offer deposit payments on all of our packages subject to the timescale to the event. Contact us on 01825 746082 for details.
We provide both physical steam train tickets and physical hospitality tickets and swing badges for your day at Cheltenham.
All hospitality and steam train tickets are sent via Royal Mail Special Delivery and will be dispatched approximately 7-10 days prior to the Cheltenham Festival.
Yes. We contact all guests in the run up to the Festival to confirm your delivery address, take any dietary requirements within the group and to confirm other information such as rooming list names (if you’ve booked accommodation with us), the host name for the day and any company signage.
Yes. After you’ve made your initial booking with us, subject to availability, it is possible to add additional guests and add any upgrades (such as the steam train, accommodation, viewing seats etc).
If the Cheltenham Festival is cancelled then we will look to offer you a refund or transfer your booking to the following year’s Festival or to another event of your choice

FESTIVAL FAQs

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