When is Cheltenham 2025? Festival Dates & Schedule
Cheltenham Racecourse draws crowds twice a year — once in March for the famous Festival, and again in November for a quieter but equally exciting meeting. If you’re planning a visit in 2025, the dates differ significantly between events, and knowing which meeting you’re after makes all the difference when tickets go on sale.
Festival Dates: 11-14 March 2025 · November Meeting: 14-16 November 2025 · Races Per Day: 7 · Venue: Cheltenham Racecourse · Season Meetings: 8
Quick snapshot
- Festival: Tuesday 11 March – Friday 14 March 2025 (Club Sports and Events)
- November Meeting: Friday 14 – Sunday 16 November 2025 (Soglos)
- Exact 2025 Festival enclosure prices not publicly confirmed
- Whether 2025 race winners will be available before the events
- Book tickets via The Jockey Club website before sell-outs (Eventmasters)
- Cheltenham Festival 2026 runs 10-13 March 2026 (Eventmasters)
The table below shows the key 2025 event dates alongside their source references.
| Event | Date | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Main Event (Festival) | 11-14 March 2025 | Club Sports and Events |
| November Meeting | 14-16 November 2025 | Soglos |
| Duration | 4 days (Festival) | Hospitality Centre |
| Races Daily | 7 | Soglos |
| Under-18s | Free with paying adult | Soglos |
| Venue | Gloucestershire GL50 4SH | Laurie & Jules |
What day does Cheltenham start in 2025?
The Cheltenham Festival begins on Tuesday 11 March 2025 and runs through Friday 14 March, making it a four-day event as always. The opening day is known as Champion Day, featuring the Unibet Champion Hurdle as its centrepiece race. The November Meeting kicks off later in the year on Friday 14 November 2025, running through Sunday 16 November — a three-day format that contrasts with the Festival’s four-day programme.
Cheltenham Festival dates
- Tuesday 11 March 2025 — Champion Day
- Wednesday 12 March 2025 — Ladies Day
- Thursday 13 March 2025 — St. Patrick’s Thursday
- Friday 14 November 2025 — Gold Cup Day
November Meeting dates
- Friday 14 November 2025 — Countryside Day
- Saturday 15 November 2025 — Super Saturday (Paddy Power Gold Cup)
- Sunday 16 November 2025 — Carnival Sunday
The Festival’s four days each have distinct character and race cards — if you’re planning around work or travel, pinning down which day matters most helps you prioritise your ticket purchase before enclosures sell out.
Both events fall under The Jockey Club’s official calendar, the sport’s governing body for the venue. The pattern across the season shows why visiting once or twice annually delivers the clearest view of jump racing’s peak calendar.
Can you wear jeans to Cheltenham Festival?
Jeans are generally not allowed in premium enclosures at Cheltenham races. The dress code separates enclosures: the Club and Tattersalls areas expect smart casual or formal attire, while the Best Mate enclosure is more relaxed but still expects neat presentation. The general rule across UK racecourses is neat casual — no ripped jeans, no sportswear, and certainly no tracksuits in the nicer enclosures.
Dress code rules
- Club Enclosure: Smart casual minimum — collared shirts for men, dresses or smart trousers for women
- Tattersalls: Similar smart casual expectations, though slightly less formal than Club
- Best Mate: Smart casual accepted, jeans sometimes tolerated in this enclosure
- General admission: Casual wear generally fine — check specific enclosure rules
What to wear tips
- Layers work well — Cheltenham in March can be cold and wet, and outdoor stands offer limited shelter
- Flat shoes are strongly recommended over heels given the ground conditions
- Check your enclosure’s specific dress code before buying tickets
Racing’s ultimate weekender is here – a meeting where the atmosphere is electric and Festival-bound talent takes centre stage.
— Visit Cheltenham (Official tourism guide)
Visitors who ignore dress codes risk being turned away from premium enclosures — a disappointing outcome when tickets cost premium prices.
How much is an entry to Cheltenham Festival?
Ticket prices vary significantly between enclosures and individual days. For the November Meeting, tickets start from £13 for the Best Mate enclosure and £29.50 for Club tickets — making it a far more affordable day out compared to the March Festival. The Cheltenham Festival, by contrast, starts at £42.30 per person and can climb to £180 or more for premium enclosures on key days.
Ticket prices
Ticket pricing across the two meetings shows the November Meeting as the more accessible option for budget-conscious visitors.
| Enclosure | November Meeting | Festival (from) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Mate | £13 | £57.60 (Gold Cup Day) | The Cotswolds Gentleman |
| Club | £29.50 | £105.30 (Gold Cup Day) | The Cotswolds Gentleman |
| Tattersalls | — | £73.80 (Gold Cup Day) | Eventmasters |
Entrance options
- Multi-day Club tickets for Saturday include Friday or Sunday at 20% off (Visit Cheltenham)
- Under-18s go free with a paying adult at the November Meeting (Soglos)
- Official tickets via The Jockey Club website or by calling 0044 8445 793 003 (Tullys Travel)
Gold Cup Day prices are the highest of any Festival day — if your budget is tight, Wednesday or Thursday races offer solid cards at lower enclosure costs.
The implication for first-time visitors is clear: the November Meeting delivers quality racing at a fraction of the Festival cost, making it the smarter entry point.
How much is a pint at Cheltenham Festival?
Drink prices at Cheltenham reflect the premium venue status — a pint of beer typically costs more than you’d pay at a standard pub, though exact 2025 prices have not been publicly confirmed. Past events show pints of standard lager or ale running around £7-£9, with premium brands and cocktails higher still. The Guinness Village at the November Meeting is a popular spot, though it carries a price premium.
Drinks prices
- Standard pint: estimated £7-£9 based on recent years
- Premium spirits and cocktails: typically £10-£14
- Soft drinks and hot drinks: generally £3-£5
- Food options range from casual snacks to hospitality packages
Beer and pint costs
- Guinness Village at the November Meeting offers draught options but at racecourse prices
- Multiple bars throughout enclosures — prices tend to be consistent across bars in the same enclosure
- Bringing sealed water and snacks is generally permitted; check the venue policy
You’re paying venue premium prices, but the racing atmosphere — the roar on the final fence, the collective held breath before a photo finish — is genuinely hard to replicate anywhere else in British sport.
What this means for planning: factor £30-£50 for drinks per person per day when budgeting for a visit, especially if you’re in premium enclosures where you’ll be spending extended time trackside.
What is the Cheltenham Festival 2025 Schedule?
The Festival runs 28 races over four days, with seven races per day — the most concentrated jump racing schedule in the UK. Each day has a distinct flavour, from Champion Day’s opening Grade 1 clashes to Gold Cup Day’s Friday finale. Gates open at 10:30 for all Festival days, giving early arrivals time to explore the enclosures before racing begins.
Daily race times
- First race: typically 13:30 (March) / 13:10 (November Countryside Day)
- Seven races daily during the Festival
- Super Saturday (November Meeting): Paddy Power Gold Cup Steeplechase from 12:35pm (Soglos)
- Countryside Day (Friday 14 Nov): Seven races starting at 1.10pm with gun dog display
Key events
- Gold Cup Day (Fri 14 March): The headline race — the Cheltenham Gold Cup is the premier staying chase in National Hunt racing
- Super Saturday (Sat 15 Nov): Paddy Power Gold Cup Steeplechase is the centrepiece of the November Meeting
- Carnival Sunday (16 Nov): Features Shetland Pony Race, Sue Ryder Mascot Race, and Unibet Greatwood Premier Handicap Hurdle
- Live music: Carnival Sunday includes On The Sesh in Guinness Village, Luke Gittins and Ash Smith in Tattersalls (Soglos)
The unmissable three-day festival offers a thrilling mix of top-class racing, unscripted drama and an electric atmosphere.
— The Cotswolds Gentleman (Regional lifestyle publication)
The pattern for visitors: arrive early on Festival days to settle in, but for November Meeting’s Super Saturday, time your arrival around the Paddy Power Gold Cup to catch the peak atmosphere without the full-day commitment.
Timeline
- — Cheltenham Festival begins (Champion Day)
- — Cheltenham Festival ends (Gold Cup Day)
- — November Meeting begins (Countryside Day)
- — Super Saturday (Paddy Power Gold Cup)
- — Carnival Sunday closes the November Meeting
- — Cheltenham Festival 2026 begins (Eventmasters)
What we know — and what we don’t
Confirmed
- Festival dates: Tuesday 11 March – Friday 14 March 2025
- November Meeting dates: Friday 14 – Sunday 16 November 2025
- Best Mate tickets from £13 (November Meeting)
- Club tickets from £29.50 (November Meeting)
- Festival tickets from £42.30
- Paddy Power Gold Cup on Super Saturday (15 Nov)
- Under-18s free with adult at November Meeting
- 28 races over four Festival days
- Gates open 10:30 during Festival
Unconfirmed
- Exact 2025 Festival enclosure prices (last published prices from 2024/prior years)
- Whether specific race winners and results are available before the 2025 events
- Full 2025 race card start times beyond highlights
- Hospitality package specifics for November Meeting
- Availability status as of article publication date
The implication is clear for anyone planning a 2025 visit: the November Meeting offers the better value entry point at £13-£29.50, while the Festival commands premium pricing for its Grade 1-heavy card. Both events sell out enclosures regularly — early booking via the Jockey Club website is the single most important step you can take.
Related reading: Crystal Palace vs Brentford tickets · Birmingham vs Port Vale
The Cheltenham Festival runs from 11-14 March 2025 at the Racecourse in Gloucestershire, with the detailed festival schedule outlining tickets, dress code, and race highlights.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 3 3 3 rule for dressing?
The 3-3-3 rule is a racing tradition suggesting men wear three pieces of clothing, three accessories, and avoid three fashion crimes. Specific interpretations vary by enclosure, but the gist is neat, coordinated smart casual — collared shirt, jacket or blazer, polished shoes, and avoiding anything too casual or flashy.
Do jockeys get paid if they don’t win?
Jockeys receive a riding fee for each race they compete in, regardless of finishing position. Winnings from placed finishes are a significant income boost, but the base fee provides a baseline. The amounts are regulated by the British Horseracing Authority.
How much is a beer at Cheltenham?
Based on recent events, a standard pint at Cheltenham typically costs £7-£9. Premium brands and cocktails run higher. Exact 2025 prices are set closer to the event and may vary by enclosure.
What time does Cheltenham 2025 start?
Gates open at 10:30 during Festival days. The first race typically goes to post around 13:30 in March and 13:10 during the November Meeting.
When is Cheltenham races December 2025?
There are no major Cheltenham Racecourse meetings scheduled in December. The main December racing focus shifts to other UK courses. The next Cheltenham meeting after November 2025 is the Festival in March 2026.
When is Cheltenham 2026?
The Cheltenham Festival 2026 runs from Tuesday 10 March to Friday 13 March 2026. Tickets typically go on sale months in advance through The Jockey Club.
What horse won at Cheltenham in 2025?
Results from the 2025 Cheltenham Festival and November Meeting will be published after each event concludes. As of now, those races have not yet taken place.
For anyone who’s been putting off a trip to Cheltenham, the choice in 2025 is straightforward: the November Meeting gives you solid jump racing action at entry prices starting from just £13, while the Festival in March delivers 28 Grade 1 races over four days with a truly electric atmosphere — but at premium ticket prices that reflect its status as the premier meeting in the jumps calendar. Either way, booking through The Jockey Club (the official organiser) is your safest route to genuine tickets and accurate enclosures.
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