Cheltenham Festival 2024: When is it, how much are tickets and how to get them

It's almost time for the UK's biggest four days of racing. People head to the Cotswolds every year to witness one of sport's great spectacles - the Cheltenham Festival.

Fans can enjoy themed days, with Wednesday designated as Ladies' Day and Thursday always dedicated to the Irish with St. Patrick's Day.

As well as being the pinnacle of the racing calendar, the event also boasts live music, great food and lots more.

With all of this in mind, it's no surprise that the event sells out quickly - and bosses have put a cap on the number of people allowed in.

When is Cheltenham Festival 2024?

Cheltenham Festival returns on Tuesday, March 12 and runs until Friday, March 15.

The first race will take place at 1.30pm on each day and the last race at 5.30pm. The championship race will be run at 3.30pm each day.

​How do I get tickets?

Individual tickets are on general sale to the public now for all four days of the meeting. You can choose between various enclosures (including the Tattersalls Enclosure and the Best Mate Enclosure), each in a different price bracket and offering access to different areas of the racecourse.

​Those wishing to attend multiple days might want to consider an annual membership, which grants access to all four days of the Festival, as well as all the track's other meetings throughout the season and several reciprocal race days at other courses. ​

Alongside those options for individuals, there are plenty of group and corporate hospitality options available. For full ticket information click here.

How do I get to the racecourse?

The nearest train station is Cheltenham Spa, which is around a 45-minute walk from the racecourse via the centre of town. A racecourse bus service runs from the station, stopping in the town centre en route to the track but queues can get very long.

Car and coach parking is available at the racecourse for a fee, while National Express run a special service from various locations around the UK during the Festival.

Full Cheltenham 2024 schedule

Champion Day - Tuesday, March 12

13:30 - Supreme Novices’ Hurdle

14:10 - Arkle Challenge Trophy

14:50 - Handicap Steeple Chase

15:30 - Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy

16:10 - Mares’ Hurdle

16:50 - Juvenile Handicap Hurdle

17:30 - National Hunt Steeple Chase Challenge Cup

Ladies Day - Wednesday, March 13

13:30 - Novices’ Hurdle

14:10 - Novices’ Steeple Chase

14:50 - Coral Cup Hurdle

15:30 - Queen Mother Champion Steeple Chase

16:10 - Cross Country Steeple Chase

16:50 - Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Steeple Chase Challenge Cup

17:30 - Champion Bumper

St. Patrick’s Thursday - Thursday, March 14

13:30 - Turners Novices’

14:10 - Pertemps Network Final

14:50 - Ryanair Steeple Chase

15:30 - Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle

16:10 - Magners Plate

16:50 - Jack de Bromhead Mares Novices’ Hurdle

17:30 - Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup

Gold Cup Day - Friday, March 15

13:30 - Triumph Hurdle

14:10 - County Handicap Hurdle

14:50 - Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle

15:30 - Cheltenham Gold Cup

16:10 - Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Steeple Chase

16:50 - Mares’ Steeple Chase

17:30 - Martin Pipe Conditional Jockey’s Handicap Hurdle