Cheltenham Racecourse: Big Races, Facts and Betting Guide
The home of jump racing. Prestbury Park stages the Cheltenham Festival every March, and with it the Gold Cup, the Champion Hurdle and the Champion Chase. Here are the big races, the history, how to get there and how betting works on course.
Biggest races at Cheltenham
Cheltenham races from October to April, but everything builds towards four days in March.
The Cheltenham Festival
- Gold Cup (Grade 1, 3m 2½f), Friday
- Champion Hurdle (Grade 1, 2m), Tuesday
- Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1, 2m), Wednesday
- Stayers’ Hurdle and Ryanair Chase, Thursday
- 2027 dates: Tuesday 16 to Friday 19 March
The November Meeting
- Paddy Power Gold Cup, one of the season’s big handicap chases
- Greatwood Hurdle
- The first big jumps weekend of the winter
Showcase, December and Trials Day
- Showcase meeting opens the season in October
- December Gold Cup handicap chase
- Trials Day in January: the Cleeve Hurdle and Cotswold Chase, key Festival trials
Cheltenham facts and history
A few things worth knowing before you go, or before you bet.
The track
Cheltenham is a left-handed, undulating track with stiff fences and a punishing uphill climb in the last half-mile. Races here are often won and lost up that final hill, so horses that stay well tend to do best.
There are two courses side by side. The Old Course is used for the first two days of the Festival and rides much quicker. The New Course is used for the last two days; it has a downhill fence and a longer run-in after the last fence. A separate cross-country course sits in the middle, with banks and hedges.
The Princess Royal Stand opened in 2015. It cost £45m and holds 6,500 people.
Getting to Cheltenham
By train
Cheltenham Spa is the main-line station, about a 10-minute drive from the course. On Festival days, shuttle buses run from the station (around £3 single or £5 return) and from the town centre.
The “Cheltenham Racecourse” station only serves the heritage Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway, not National Rail.
By road
From the north, leave the M5 at junction 11 and follow the A40. From the south, leave at junction 10 and take the A4019.
Festival traffic is heavy, so leave early.
Betting at Cheltenham
You can bet three ways at Cheltenham: with the bookmakers in the betting ring, on the Tote, or on your phone using the free Wi-Fi.
On your phone
The Jockey Club runs free Wi-Fi across the public areas at Cheltenham, including the grandstands, bars and restaurants. Its terms say you can use it to bet with the bookmakers it lists as partners. During the 2025 Festival, Vodafone also brought in temporary mobile masts to cope with the crowds.
Get your app set up and logged in before you travel, so you are not trying to verify an account in a queue.
In the betting ring and on the Tote
On-course bookmakers stand in the betting ring and price up each race. Their prices can differ from the apps, so it is worth comparing.
The Tote runs pool betting on course. Its windows also pay out winning Tote bets on the day. Read our guide to betting at the racecourse for how the ring and the Tote work.
Betting on your phone at the track?
Compare UK racing apps by their real App Store, Google Play and Trustpilot ratings.
Cheltenham FAQs
Where is Cheltenham Racecourse?
Cheltenham Racecourse is at Prestbury Park, Evesham Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL50 4SH. It is run by Jockey Club Racecourses.
When is the 2027 Cheltenham Festival?
The 2027 Cheltenham Festival runs from Tuesday 16 to Friday 19 March 2027, with the Gold Cup on the Friday.
Who won the 2026 Cheltenham Gold Cup?
Gaelic Warrior won the 2026 Gold Cup at 11/4 joint favourite, ridden by Paul Townend and trained by Willie Mullins. He won by 8 lengths.
Is there free Wi-Fi at Cheltenham Racecourse?
Yes. The Jockey Club offers free Wi-Fi across the public areas at Cheltenham, including the grandstands, bars and restaurants. Terms apply.
What is the nearest train station to Cheltenham Racecourse?
Cheltenham Spa is the main-line station. It is about a 10-minute drive from the course, and shuttle buses run from the station on Festival days.
Which horse has won the most Cheltenham Gold Cups?
Golden Miller, with five wins in a row from 1932 to 1936.
Sources: The Jockey Club: Cheltenham · Cheltenham Wi-Fi · Festival schedule · Wikipedia: Cheltenham Racecourse · Wikipedia: Cheltenham Gold Cup. Facts checked October 2026; fixtures and travel details can change, so check with the course before you go.
18+ only. Please gamble responsibly. BeGambleAware.org