As usual, the Cheltenham Festival is about to bring joy and good vibes in the hearts and minds of horse racing enthusiasts. The event will run from the 10th to the 13th of March at Cheltenham Racecourse and will be an unforgettable festival for English and Irish fans.
Every year in Cheltenham we witness a new round in the neverending competition between jockeys coming from England and from Ireland for the Prestbury Cup, that usually raises the level of the trials and stimulates bettors to support one of the two sides, in each of the four thematic days of the festival.
You don’t want to miss this at all. Once you know the theme days, think about logistics: book tickets in advance, study the program, join forum discussions (or, at least, read them!) and evaluate the odds for the various races. You can consult various online platforms on how to get ready for the Cheltenham Festival with Oddschecker, which helps you navigate the essential information on the 2026 Cheltenham Festival odds and gives you insights on who are the top jockeys to bet on, in each and every race.
Thematic days in Cheltenham
One of the main peculiarities of the Cheltenham Festival is the presence of the so-called thematic days. Each of the four days of racing is dedicated to a particular theme and this obviously contributes in creating an epic atmosphere that frames every race.
It all starts with Champion Day, when the Festival opens. On this date (the 10th of March, in 2026) we rejoice and celebrate the return of Europe’s greatest jump racing festival, in an iconic venue. It is the chance to see reigning and future champions unite. They get ready for the competition and bond with each other, while waiting to carve their name into the star-studded wall of jump racing greats, in order to be remembered forever. Jockeys dream of winning in Cheltenham and on this day it is pretty easy to understand why.
After Champion Day we have Style Wednesday, also known as Ladies Day. On the track, speed and jumping matters the most in the Bet MGM Queen Mother Champion Chase, an elegant competition particularly fitting for a day linked with style. Around the course, friends, supporters and horse racing enthusiasts gather in a stylish soirée.
Given the importance of the festival for Irish jockeys, in Cheltenham the organization provides a celebration like no other and top-tier races to match it during St. Patrick’s Thursday. On this day, Irish passion flows through the racecourse and jockeys give their all to put on an unforgettable show in order to tip the balance, show everyone what they are capable of and get closer to winning the prestigious Prestbury Cup.
To close the Festival, we have the highly anticipated Gold Cup Day. On this date (next March 13) the best jockey will be awarded with the most wanted trophy in horse racing, the true jewel in jump racing’s crown. Whoever manages to win it becomes a sort of legend in horse racing by claiming the ultimate title in his or her discipline.
Reasons to attend the Cheltenham Festival
There’s plenty of reasons to visit Cheltenham for the Festival. For horse racing fans, the event is a true pilgrimage. The Cheltenham Roar is well known around the competitive circuit and never ceases to amaze. Racing enthusiasts gather in and around the paddock, all around the Village and beside each and every jump. The rural landscape and the genuine atmosphere are ideal to put racing and community at the heart of the festival.
Racing Post voted Cheltenham as the greatest racecourse in the world and it is only fair to see here the best of the best in horse racing. The pinnacle of racing unfolds before the eyes of who chooses to be in Gloucestershire for the Festival.