The Cheltenham Festival is around the corner, and racing fans across Ireland are gearing up for four of the biggest days in the National Hunt calendar. As one of the most prestigious and eagerly anticipated meetings of the season, Cheltenham delivers drama, elite competition, and unforgettable moments year after year. With the sport’s biggest trainers, jockeys, and horses converging on Prestbury Park, interest is always sky-high in Ireland.
While Irish viewers will be wondering when the Cheltenham Festival starts, many will also want to know how to follow every race live. From the roar that greets the opening contest on Tuesday through to the Gold Cup on Friday afternoon, this guide covers everything you need to know about watching the Cheltenham Festival in Ireland. That includes TV and streaming options, key dates, and race times. Read ahead to find out where you can stay tuned across four action-packed days.
Where can I watch the Cheltenham Festival in Ireland?
Watching the Cheltenham Festival in Ireland has never been easier. Not only are there several streaming platforms and even TV channels covering the events, but you can also enjoy the spectacle at most pubs. One of the best ways to enjoy the day is to find your local, grab a pint, and see if your picks are winners. Below are the best ways to catch the action.
Virgin Media One
Virgin Media One will carry ITV’s coverage of the festival once again this year. Irish viewers can watch live races each day, alongside expert analysis, previews, and post-race reaction. Coverage typically begins in the early afternoon and runs through the final race on the card. Virgin Media Player will also offer streaming access for those watching on mobile or desktop. Coverage will begin at 12:45 pm each day and run until the end of the penultimate race at 5 pm.
Racing TV
Racing TV will show every race live from Cheltenham across all four days. This is the most comprehensive option for dedicated racing fans. Coverage starts earlier than ITV and continues after racing concludes each day. A subscription is required, but it includes in-depth analysis and stable visits.
Local Pubs
Watching the festival with friends and racing fans is part of the fun of Cheltenham. Thankfully, you don’t need to travel to the festival to experience that. Many pubs around Ireland will be showing the races, especially sports bars. Expect full race cards on big screens, expert punditry between races, and plenty of pre-race discussion as the afternoon unfolds. For many fans, the combination of live racing, shared reactions, and a few well-timed winners makes the pub setting one of the best ways to enjoy the Cheltenham Festival in Ireland.
Cheltenham Festival Schedule
The 2026 Cheltenham Festival runs from Tuesday, March 10th to Friday, March 13th. It features 28 races across four action-packed days at Prestbury Park. Each day includes seven races, with multiple Grade 1 contests showcasing the very best in National Hunt racing. The festival opens with Champion Day on Tuesday and builds steadily toward the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday afternoon.
Race cards are designed to test speed, stamina, and jumping ability, creating drama from the opening roar to the final race. Remember to check the horse racing odds throughout each day to catch any trends or changes to the runners. For Irish fans, the schedule offers daily opportunities to follow leading horses, trainers, and jockeys competing on the sport’s biggest stage.
Day 1 – Champion Day (Tuesday, 10 March)
Cheltenham Festival opens with Champion Day, marking its premier with the iconic Cheltenham roar. This sets the tone for the week and builds toward the prestigious Champion Hurdle, one of the biggest races of the season. Top-class novice races also keep us entertained throughout the day, giving us a glimpse of the future. The winners of these events could go on to achieve big wins at this very festival in the next few years or so.
- 13:20: Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
- 14:00: Arkle Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)
- 14:40: Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
- 15:20: Ultima Handicap Chase (Grade 1)
- 16:00: Champion Hurdle (Grade 1)
- 16:40: Plate Handicap Chase
- 17:20: National Hunt Novices’ Chase
Day 2 – Ladies Day (Wednesday, 11 March)
Ladies Day is known for its fashion off the course, creating one of the most vibrant atmospheres of the week, but the action on the track is no less exciting. The Queen Mother Champion Chase takes centre stage, showcasing elite two-mile chasers known for relentless pace and razor-sharp jumping. A couple of Grade 1 novice chases open Day 2, meaning we see a blend of established stars and future Gold Cup hopefuls.
- 13:20: Turners Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
- 14:00: Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)
- 14:40: Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle
- 15:20: Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase
- 16:00: Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1)
- 16:40: Grand Annual Handicap Chase
- 17:20: Champion Bumper
Day 3 – St Patrick’s Thursday (Thursday, 12 March)
St Patrick’s Thursday celebrates Ireland’s huge influence on the Cheltenham Festival and is a favourite among Irish racegoers. Green colours dominate the stands, and the atmosphere reaches another level. The feature race is the Stayers’ Hurdle, a test of endurance that rewards toughness and stamina. Irish-trained runners traditionally thrive on this day.
- 13:20: Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2)
- 14:00: Novices’ Handicap Chase
- 14:40: Pertemps Network Final
- 15:20: Ryanair Chase (Grade 1)
- 16:00: Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
- 16:40: Pertemps Plate Handicap Chase
- 17:20: Kim Muir Challenge Cup
Day 4 – Gold Cup Day (Friday, 13 March)
Gold Cup Day is the pinnacle of the Cheltenham Festival and one of the biggest days in the global racing calendar. Every race feels significant, but all roads lead to the Cheltenham Gold Cup. It is the ultimate prize in National Hunt racing. It crowns the season’s best staying chaser and often defines legacies. The festival concludes with emotion, celebration, and a fitting sense of occasion after four unforgettable days.
- 13:20: Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1)
- 14:00: County Handicap Hurdle
- 14:40: Mares’ Chase (Grade 2)
- 15:20: Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
- 16:00: Cheltenham Gold Cup (Grade 1)
- 16:40: Festival Hunter Chase
- 17:20: Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Hurdle
Whether you prefer watching from the comfort of home, streaming on the go, or soaking up the atmosphere in your local pub, Irish racing fans are fully covered for Cheltenham. With comprehensive TV coverage, multiple viewing options, and four days packed with top-class racing, there is no shortage of ways to enjoy the festival. From the opening roar on Champion Day to the drama of the Gold Cup, Cheltenham 2026 promises unforgettable moments. However you choose to watch, settle in, follow the form, and enjoy one of the finest weeks in the sporting calendar.
