Cheltenham Festival Race Schedule & Timings

Curious about the Cheltenham Festival 2025 schedule? We’ve pulled together insights on dates, timings, and races to help you make the most of the event.

Featuring world-class horse racing spread across four exciting days, Cheltenham Festival is perhaps the most eagerly anticipated event in the National Hunt calendar. Held annually in Gloucestershire, it brings together the world’s best jockeys, trainers, and horses to compete for the highest honours.

Whether you’re a seasoned punter or a first-time spectator, we’ve pulled together a guide on the Cheltenham Festival 2025 schedule, detailing when and where you’ll be able to catch a glimpse of the action.

When is Cheltenham Festival 2025?

In 2025, Cheltenham Festival is set to take place between Tuesday 11th March – Friday 14th March, that’s four days of action-packed racing. Cheltenham’s gates open at 10:30 each morning, with the first race commencing at 13:20 and the last at 17:20, daily.

Cheltenham race schedule and timings

With four thrilling days of racing on the horizon, here’s the full Cheltenham race schedule. Mark your calendars for the must-see events so you don’t miss out!

Day 1, 11th March

The highlight of day one, Champion Day, is the prestigious Unibet Champion Hurdle race, which you’ll be able to catch at 16:00. But with three more Grade 1 races in the schedule, here’s a look at the full day one Cheltenham Festival timings:  

Day 2, 12th March

On Style Wednesday, spectators are in for a treat with the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Steeple Chase, where runners will jump twelve fences spanning 2 miles. But this certainly isn’t the only exciting event in the calendar:

Day 3, 13th March

St. Patrick’s Thursday marks the third day of racing, with the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle race kicking things off. There are two championship races you won’t want to miss on the 13th, including the Ryanair Steeple Chase and the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle:

Day 4, 14th March

Things show no signs of slowing down by the 14th, with seven action-packed races slotted into the busy Cheltenham schedule. Over three miles and two furlongs long, the 16:00 Cheltenham Gold Cup race is the one to watch. But with six other races planned, there’s plenty more to enjoy:

How many races are there at Cheltenham Festival?

When it comes to the Cheltenham Festival race schedule, seven races take place each day, totalling twenty-eight across the festival. With a mix of hurdle, chase, and bumper races, spectators can look forward to four diverse, action-packed days.

Which courses are included in the Cheltenham race schedule?

Three different courses are used at Cheltenham: the Old Course, the New Course, and the Cross Country Course. But where do most of the festival’s races unfold? Here’s a quick breakdown:

Old Course

The action of the first two days (bar the Cross Country race) takes place on the Old Course, where you’ll be able to catch iconic events like the Champion Hurdle, the Ryanair Hurdle, and the Queen Mother Champion.

New Course

The events of the third and fourth days of Cheltenham, including the famed Gold Cup, take place on the New Course. While the Old Course tests speed, the New Course offers a true test of stamina.

Cross Country Course

The Cross Country Course is used for longer, more challenging races. If you’re hoping to catch the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase on 12th March, this is the place to be!

When are the Grade 1 races at Cheltenham Festival?

We’ve looked at the full schedule, but on which days will you be able to see a Grade 1 race at Cheltenham? Mark your calendars for the following times:

Day 1:

·        13:20: The Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Race

·        14:00: The My Pension Expert Arkle Novices’ Chase

·        15:20: The Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle Race

·        16:00: The Unibet Champion Hurdle

Day 2:

·        13:20: The Turners Novices’ Hurdle Race

·        16:00: The BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Steeple Chase

·        17:20: The Weatherbys Champion Bumper (A Standard Open NH Flat Race)

Day 3:

·        15:20: The Ryanair Steeple Chase

·        16:00: The Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle

Day 4:

·        13:20: The JCB Triumph Hurdle

·        15:20: The Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle Race

·        16:00: The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Steeple Chase

Finally, whether you’re a first-time better or a seasoned Cheltenham gambler, dive into our full collection of Cheltenham betting tips for insider advice.