Cheltenham Festival 2026: How to Watch Every Race on ITV
Complete guide to watching the 2026 Cheltenham Festival, with the full race schedule, TV times, and how to stream every race for free on ITV and ITVX.
By David WhiteCheltenham Festival 2026: The Complete Viewing Guide
The Cheltenham Festival is the biggest week in British and Irish horse racing, and the 2026 edition runs from Tuesday 10 March to Friday 13 March. All 28 races across the four days are broadcast live and free on ITV, with full coverage also available to stream on ITVX. Here is everything you need to know about watching every race.
TV Coverage: All Free on ITV
Unlike many major sporting events that have moved behind paywalls, the Cheltenham Festival remains entirely free-to-air. ITV Racing holds exclusive terrestrial rights, and every race from the opening Supreme Novices' Hurdle to the closing Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle is shown live.
| Channel | Coverage | How to Watch |
|---|---|---|
| ITV1 | All 28 races live, plus build-up and analysis | Freeview, Sky, Virgin Media, Freesat |
| ITVX | Full live stream of all ITV coverage | Free (itvx.com or ITVX app) |
| Racing TV | Additional coverage, paddock analysis, post-race interviews | Subscription (£29.98/month) |
| Sky Sports Racing | Supplementary coverage and previews | Sky subscription or NOW Sports add-on |
ITV's coverage typically starts at 1:00pm each day and runs until approximately 5:40pm, covering all seven races per day with expert analysis, previews, and betting market updates between races.
The Four Days: Race Schedule
Each day features seven races, with the first race going off at 1:20pm and the last at 5:20pm. Each day is headlined by a Championship race that draws the most attention.
Day 1: Champion Day (Tuesday 10 March)
| Time | Race | Key Info |
|---|---|---|
| 1:20pm | Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) | The traditional Festival opener, often a strong pointer for future stars |
| 2:00pm | Singer Arkle Challenge Trophy (Grade 1) | Two-mile novice chase for the fastest young chasers |
| 2:40pm | McCoys Contractors Juvenile Handicap Hurdle | The Fred Winter, four-year-old handicap hurdle |
| 3:20pm | Trustmarque Ultima Handicap Chase | Competitive three-mile handicap chase |
| 4:00pm | Unibet Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) | The feature race: the best two-mile hurdler in training |
| 4:40pm | Sun Racing Plate Handicap Chase | Two-mile-four handicap chase, often a thriller |
| 5:20pm | National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices' Chase | The closing race on day one |
Day 2: Ladies Day (Wednesday 11 March)
| Time | Race | Key Info |
|---|---|---|
| 1:20pm | Turners Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) | Two-mile-four novice hurdle, Grade 1 |
| 2:00pm | Brown Advisory Novices' Chase (Grade 1) | Three-mile novice chase, often produces future Gold Cup contenders |
| 2:40pm | BetMGM Cup Handicap Hurdle | Big-field handicap hurdle, a punters' favourite |
| 3:20pm | Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase | Unique cross-country course, Tiger Roll's old stomping ground |
| 4:00pm | BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1) | The feature race: two-mile chasing at its fastest and most thrilling |
| 4:40pm | Grand Annual Handicap Chase | Two-mile handicap chase, always competitive |
| 5:20pm | Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Grade 1) | National Hunt flat race for future stars |
Day 3: St Patrick's Thursday (Thursday 12 March)
| Time | Race | Key Info |
|---|---|---|
| 1:20pm | Ryanair Mares' Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) | Grade 2 for novice female hurdlers |
| 2:00pm | Jack Richards Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (Grade 2) | Novice chase with limited handicap conditions |
| 2:40pm | Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle (Grade 1) | Grade 1 for female hurdlers |
| 3:20pm | Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle (Grade 1) | The feature race: three miles of stamina-testing hurdling |
| 4:00pm | Ryanair Chase (Grade 1) | Intermediate distance chase, increasingly prestigious |
| 4:40pm | Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle | Three-mile handicap hurdle, qualification required |
| 5:20pm | Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Chase | Amateur riders' handicap chase |
Day 4: Gold Cup Day (Friday 13 March)
| Time | Race | Key Info |
|---|---|---|
| 1:20pm | JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1) | Four-year-old championship hurdle |
| 2:00pm | William Hill County Handicap Hurdle | Big-field two-mile handicap hurdle |
| 2:40pm | Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase (Grade 2) | Grade 2 for female chasers |
| 3:20pm | Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) | Three-mile novice hurdle, a stern test of stamina |
| 4:00pm | Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup (Grade 1) | The feature race: the blue riband of jump racing, three miles and two furlongs |
| 4:40pm | Princess Royal Challenge Cup Hunters' Chase | Amateur riders over the Gold Cup course |
| 5:20pm | Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle | The Festival closer, restricted to conditional (apprentice) jockeys |
The Big Four: Championship Races
While all 28 races draw strong fields, the four Championship races are the headline events. Each crowns the best horse in its division:
| Race | Day | Distance | What It Decides |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unibet Champion Hurdle | Tuesday (4:00pm) | 2 miles | Best two-mile hurdler |
| BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase | Wednesday (4:00pm) | 2 miles | Best two-mile chaser |
| Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle | Thursday (3:20pm) | 3 miles | Best staying hurdler |
| Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup | Friday (4:00pm) | 3 miles 2½ furlongs | Best staying chaser (the ultimate prize in jump racing) |
How to Stream Cheltenham for Free
Every race is available to stream free on ITVX. Here is how to set it up:
- On a computer: Go to itvx.com and create a free account. Navigate to the ITV1 live stream when coverage starts
- On mobile or tablet: Download the ITVX app (iOS or Android), sign in, and select the ITV1 live channel
- On a smart TV: Most smart TVs have the ITVX app built in. Open it, sign in, and select live TV
- Via Sky or Virgin: If you have a Sky or Virgin box, simply tune to ITV1 (channel 103 on Sky, channel 103 on Virgin)
ITVX also offers on-demand replays of each race shortly after it finishes, so you can catch up if you miss anything during the day.
Watching From Outside the UK
Cheltenham coverage varies by region:
| Region | Broadcaster |
|---|---|
| Ireland | RTE (free-to-air) |
| United States | FanDuel TV |
| Australia | Sky Racing |
| Worldwide | Racing TV International (subscription) |
Irish viewers get excellent coverage on RTE, which typically sends a full presentation team to Cheltenham and covers every race live.
Tips for First-Time Viewers
If you have never watched the Cheltenham Festival before, here are a few things worth knowing:
- Start with the feature races: The Championship races are at either 3:20pm or 4:00pm each day. These are the highest quality contests and the easiest to follow
- The roar is real: The noise from the crowd as the first race starts on Tuesday is genuinely one of the great moments in sport. Worth tuning in for 1:20pm on Champion Day just for that
- Handicaps vs Grade 1s: Grade 1 races (the Championship events) feature the best horses at level weights. Handicaps have large fields with different weights, making them harder to predict but often more exciting as races
- Irish vs British: Cheltenham is as much about the rivalry between Irish and British-trained horses as it is about individual races. Irish yards, particularly Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott, have dominated in recent years
- ITV's coverage is excellent: The ITV Racing team provides thorough analysis between races. If you are new to the sport, their previews before each race explain the key runners and storylines
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Cheltenham Festival free to watch?
Yes, entirely. Every race across all four days is broadcast live on ITV1, which is free-to-air. You can also stream for free on ITVX (you just need to create a free account). No subscription is required to watch any part of the Festival.
What time does ITV coverage start?
ITV Racing coverage typically starts at 1:00pm each day, with the first race at 1:20pm and the last race at 5:20pm. Pre-race build-up and expert previews run from 1:00pm until the first race.
Which is the biggest race at Cheltenham?
The Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday is considered the blue riband of jump racing and the most prestigious race of the Festival. It is the ultimate test of a staying chaser over three miles and two and a half furlongs of Cheltenham's demanding Old Course. The Champion Hurdle (Tuesday) and Queen Mother Champion Chase (Wednesday) are also major championship events.
Can I watch replays of Cheltenham races?
Yes. ITVX offers on-demand replays of each race shortly after it finishes. Racing TV subscribers also have access to full replays with additional camera angles. The ITV Racing YouTube channel often uploads race highlights as well.
What is the difference between a hurdle race and a chase?
Hurdle races use smaller, flexible obstacles (hurdles) that horses jump over at speed. Steeplechases use larger, fixed fences (including ditches and water jumps) that require more jumping ability and experience. Chases tend to be run at a slower pace with more emphasis on jumping accuracy, while hurdle races are typically faster and more fluid.
Do I need Racing TV or Sky Sports Racing to watch Cheltenham?
No. All races are on ITV1 for free. Racing TV and Sky Sports Racing offer supplementary coverage like extra paddock analysis, post-race interviews, and morning previews, but the races themselves are all on ITV. These subscription channels are only worth considering if you follow horse racing regularly beyond the Festival.
