Everything you need to know about Saturday at the Randox Grand National 2026

It’s not just one of the biggest sporting fixtures on Merseyside, but one of the most watched and celebrated events in the world!  They don’t come much bigger than the Grand National Festival – and Saturday is the greatest day of all when eyes around the globe are on the big race itself.

The Guide Liverpool will be there as always, bringing you full coverage throughout the day from presenters Jay Hynd, Gemma Cutting, Leanne Campbell, Pete Price and Rachael Rhodes.

And if you’re lucky enough to be heading to Aintree on April 11, here’s everything you need to know about Grand National Day.

What time does everything start on Grand National Day?

The Grand National Festival is a three day event, so everything’s a brilliant build up to the most famous steeple chase, the Grand National. It’s a day when the excitement and atmosphere is really ramped up, so you want to get there as early as you can to soak it all up. On Grand National Day Saturday, gates open early at 10am with the first race getting underway at 12.45pm this year with The Hallgarten and Novum Wines Maghull Novices’ Steeple Chase. The final race is at 5pm. 

What time is the Grand National itself?

The starting gun for the race everyone wants to see, the Randox Grand National Handicap Steeple Chase, will be fired at 4pm.

How many runners will there be in the Grand National – and are there any favourites?

There’ll be a maximum of 34 horses lining up at Aintree Racecourse for the big race – reduced from 40 in 2024 – and among early favourites are Iroko who came fourth last year and I Am Maximus who won in 2024.  But the National is known for being anyone’s race which is why it’s always an emotional and thrilling event.

Why is Grand National Day so special?

There’s something about Grand National Day and the big race that grabs the attention of everyone. It’s why 800 million people tune in to watch the telly, thousands head to Aintree, and even people who don’t bet on any other day of the year give it a gamble.

How much are tickets, and can I still get one?

There are quite a few areas sold out already, but still plenty of tickets to be had including The Embankment from £44.10 which offers prime viewing of the first fences of the Grand National Course, bars and catering facilities, big screen viewing, live entertainment, betting facilities and unreserved seating – although there is NO access to the main course with this ticket option. There are tickets from £81 too for the Festival Zone, with access to live music and entertainment in O Beach, Red Rum Garden and Aintree Pavilion, plenty of food and drink options, and the chance to see the horses around the Aintree Parade Ring, among others. But you need to get a gallop on!

Hospitality Restaurant packages are still available.

Is there entertainment on?

Any big name acts have yet to be announced but we do know there’s already plenty going on, with entertainment on sites across the course.

The Festival Zone is at the centre of any Randox Grand National Festival entertainment action, and you can dance to DJ sets in the Red Rum Garden, belt out the anthems in Aintree Pavilion and raise a glass in the Rose and Crown Pub.

For the first time ever, O Beach will be bringing its iconic Ibiza energy to the Grand National Festival with amazing music, high-energy atmosphere and the unmistakable O Beach look and feel throughout the day; and BOXPARK Liverpool is back too with a mix of disco, house and party anthems from some of the city’s most recognised names, alongside giveaways and surprise performances. 

What about food and drink?

BOXPARK Liverpool are back for 2026 so there’s no shortage of fabulous street food, alongside all your traditional race fayre like fish and chips or a hog roast. If you want high-end, Chef Patron Paul Askew and his team at The Art School can offer a fine-dining experience in Paddock Lodge. There’s a host of restaurant packages at Aintree like, new for this year, the luxury Longma which includes a six-course Pan-Asian curated dining experience, an Asian-inspired afternoon tea with signature sushi selection, and an inclusive bar with curated cocktails, champagne and fine wines, and Numbersixvalverde which includes a four-course Grand Luncheon, brunch canapés, and chef’s stations serving a variety of boards, bowls and small plates throughout the day.

What is the best way to get to Aintree for Grand National Saturday?

CAR

If you’re planning to come by car, there’s parking at the course, but it does need to be booked online in advance. 

The most popular, and hassle-free, way is by bus or train, especially train because Aintree station is only a few minutes’ walk from the racecourse entrance. 

RAIL

Merseyrail will run a special timetable for The Randox Grand National 2026 Festival, with a seven-and-a-half-minute frequency of service running between Liverpool City Centre and Aintree station before the start and after the finish of the races on each day of the festival:

* Liverpool city centre to Aintree, from approximately 11am – 1pm (before the races)

* Aintree to Liverpool city centre, from approximately 4.30 – 8.30pm (after the races)

Ormskirk Line: Trains will run to a slightly amended 15-minute timetable. Stations between Liverpool City Centre and Ormskirk will have a 15-minute service but, to enable extra trains to operate, Aughton Park station and Town Green station will be served by a 30-minute service.

Southport Line: Trains will run to a slightly amended 15-minute timetable. Arrival and departure times will be different to the normal timetable.

Kirkby Line: Services between 11am and 2pm and between 5-9pm will start and terminate at Sandhills. Customers for Moorfields or Liverpool Central, or those making the return journey to Rice Lane, Fazakerley, Kirkby, or Headbolt Lane will have to change at Sandhills during these times.

Wirral Line: All services will run to the normal timetable. Customers travelling to Aintree should change at Moorfields for an Aintree-bound train.  

Get more info on Merseyrail here.

BUS

You can get to Aintree by bus on services 300, 310 and 345 both to and from Liverpool. 
For further information on bus routes, visit Merseytravel.

Check out the best way for you to get to the races here.

Here is everything you need to know about The Grand National Ladies Day Style Awards 2026.

Find out what’s good up North on our new platform, The Northern Guide. 

From the best hotels, beauty spots, days out, food and more up North – visit thenorthernguide.com and follow The Northern Guide on Instagram HERE.