Visiting the Cheltenham Festival

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Plan Your Cheltenham Festival Race Day

The Cheltenham Festival is one of, if not the UK’s most anticipated horse racing meeting. Each year it attracts hundreds and thousands of racegoers to Cheltenham Racecourse for four days of extraordinary racing, which takes place between Tuesday 11th March – Friday 14th March 2025.

It is the highlight event in the Jumps racing calendar, renowned for its atmosphere, most notably the iconic “Cheltenham roar” which marks the start of the first race taking place on Champion Day Tuesday.

With 15 Grade 1 races taking place across the four days, including the prestigious Gold Cup Chase and a prize pot in surplus of £4.5 million there’s no doubt that a star-studded field will follow.

Whether you’re a first-time racegoer or a horse racing expert, the Cheltenham Festival will guarantee an experience like no other. So, why not join the 270,000 others at one of the most spectacular racecourses in the world and enjoy some of the finest jump racing action?

What are the dates for the Boodles Cheltenham Festival 2025?

Dates for the Cheltenham Festival 2025 are:

Tuesday 11th March 2025 – Champion Day
Wednesday 12th March 2025 – Style Wednesday
Thursday 13th March 2025 – St. Patrick’s Thursday
Friday 14th March 2025 – Gold Cup Day

Where is The Festival?

The Cheltenham Festival takes place at Cheltenham Racecourse, Evesham Road, Cheltenham, GL50 4SH. It stretches over 350-acres in the Cotswold Hills and a 10-minute drive from Cheltenham town centre.

For further details of how to get to The Festival, visit Festival Directions and Parking.

What time does the Cheltenham Festival start?

Across the four days, gates will open at 10:30am, with the first race beginning at 1:20pm. The feature race of the day will kick off at 4:00pm, and the last race at 5:20pm.

On St. Patrick’s Day Thursday, you can also drop by to the Tattersalls Sales, where you’ll be able to buy a racehorse. The Centaur Bar also has live music playing at the end of each day, though if that’s something of interest to you, check out our Venue facility!

When is the Cheltenham Gold Cup?

The Cheltenham Gold Cup race takes place at 16:00 on Gold Cup Friday. It is the feature race on Friday and perhaps of the whole Festival, attracting sell-out crowds of 70,000.

What are your Cheltenham Festival hospitality options?

Hospitality package details for The Cheltenham Festival can be found here.

We are Official Hospitality Suppliers, authorised by The Jockey Club for Cheltenham Racecourse, buy your hospitality tickets and packages from us for the best price and make your Festival experience extra special.

What do I get with hospitality at Cheltenham Racecourse?

We offer a number of hospitality packages for The Festival, all of which offer an exclusive experience, with different perks.

Our flagship facility – Silks, offers panoramic views of the finishing straight, final fences and Cleeve Hills. This all-inclusive hospitality option is a firm favourite amongst our clients and guests as it faces the course. Visit our Silks page for further information.

If you’re after a more relaxed experience of race day, The Venue is your perfect option. Located in the Official Hospitality Village at Cheltenham Racecourse, indulge in a four-course lunch, afternoon tea and a complimentary bar as well as live entertainment. Visit The Venue page for more details.

Private Boxes

We offer two types of luxurious and private boxes, which are perfect for larger parties.

Our Private Grandstand Box is our most premium facility, providing you with breath-taking views of the racing action from your own private balcony. Enjoy fine foods, a complimentary bar and Club admission badges, granting you entry to all the VIP areas. View our Private Grandstand Box page.

The Long Run Private Box caters to 40 racegoers, perfect for large companies looking to go to Cheltenham races! This lavish hospitality suite is complete with Club admission badges, four-course luncheon, afternoon tea and a complimentary bar. Head over to Long Run Private Box for more information.

Why Should I Visit The Cheltenham Festival?

Aside from Cheltenham Racecourse being voted The Greatest Racecourse in the World by the Racing Post in 2019, it is also home to some of the most prestigious jumps meetings of the season. Whether you’re a horse racing fanatic, or seeking a day out with friends and family, Cheltenham Racecourse offers something for all.

Grade One Racing

As mentioned previously, the Cheltenham Festival alone hosts 15 Grade 1 Races.

Champion Day

Enjoy the famous roar in all its glory on the opening day of The Festival. See the finest Championship races of the week with the Supreme Novices Hurdle, The Arkle, The Champion Hurdle and The Mares Hurdle. This headline day of Champions is a must for all racing fans!

Ladies Day

Known as the Queen Mother of all race days! Ladies Day of The Festival is always a highlight, enjoy blistering pace racing in the Champion Chase and watch your favourite two-mile Chasers wing from fence to fence in the Championship race of the day. Align this with the fashion and excitement surrounded by Ladies Day – what is there not to love?

St. Patrick’s Thursday

Celebrate with friends from the Emerald Isle. On St. Patrick’s Thursday the Stayers Hurdle headlines the card, stay the trip with the top hurdlers in the Three Mile division, or The Ryan Air Steeplechase, which was worth £350,000 in prize money last year.

Gold Cup Day

The Blue Ribband event of the week and the golden chalice! See the next Kauto Star, Best Mate, Arkle or Desert Orchid and celebrate the final day of 4 days of spectacular sporting entertainment with the events highlight race – the Gold Cup Chase.

The Gold Cup Chase is the feature race on Friday and starts at 4:00pm.

Book Cheltenham Festival Hospitality Now

Further News to Help You Plan Your Day at Cheltenham Racecourse

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Visiting the Cheltenham Festival

Plan Your Cheltenham Festival Race Day