Everything we know so far about the Randox Grand National 2026

Can you believe it’s only just over 12 weeks before the Randox Grand National Festival gets underway at Aintree?

The epic race meeting is one of the premier fixtures in Liverpool’s sporting and leisure calendar, and even though it’s an annual event we’re never anything less than excited about it.

It means three days of racing – including the most popular steeplechase in the world, The Grand National itself – and three days of all-out glamming it up on Merseyside.

So whether you’ll be an armchair watcher, or someone who’ll catch all the action from the pub or the famous racecourse itself, let the countdown begin.

Here’s everything we know so far …

When is this year’s Randox Grand National Festival?

The festival is on from Thursday, April 9 to Saturday, April 11.

Tickets for the Grand National (Saturday) are now 80% sold out.

Where will it be held?

That’s a question absolutely no-one probably needs to ask but just in case, as always it will be held at Aintree Racecourse, just two minutes’ walk from Aintree Train Station.

How much are tickets?

Online, tickets start from £31.50 on Opening Day, Thursday, April 9 for a Festival Zone ticket – impressively the same as last year! – which gets you access to viewing over the closing stages of every race; viewing access of the Parade Ring and Winners’ Enclosure; the chance to relax and socialise in the Red Rum Garden with live entertainment throughout the day; access to the Rum & Ginger Bar with screens and betting facilities; live music in the Aintree Pavilion, plus Tote betting facilities and big screen viewing. 

Prices increase up to £130 for the Platinum Lounge Seats (for over 21s only) which include exclusive access to the private bar, a birds-eye view directly above the Finishing Post, a covered seating area, access to the Parade Ring and Winners’ Enclosure and complimentary race card.

Tickets start at £45.90 for Ladies Day on April 10 (Festival Zone) and £38.70 on April 11, Grand National Day itself, for The Embankment. Festival Zone tickets then are from £70.20. 

Plus, there are lots of luxury experiences to be had like Private Boxes, Pavilion Executive Boxes and Grandstand Boxes, along with amazing hospitality packages available for each day.

Where can I buy tickets?

You can purchase tickets online from The Jockey Club website.

Can I still buy tickets?

Yes of course, but you’d better be quick, because tickets sell quickly – especially for Grand National Day itself with tickets for the Queen Mother Roof, Earl of Derby Lower Seats, Earl of Derby Lower Seats, Queen Mother Seats, Princess Royal Seats and Gallery, and Platinum Lounge Seats already sold out!

What can I expect on each day?

Thursday, April 9 is Opening Day which sets the tone for the entire festival and marks the start of yet another amazing festival. Gates open at 11am with the first of seven races starting at 1.45pm.

Friday, April 10 is Ladies Day when gates will open at 10.30am with, again, the first of seven races starting at 1.45pm. 

Ladies Day is one of the most glamorous race days when The Style Awards are held and when the spotlight shines not just on the horses and jockeys but on the best dressed of Liverpool with usual categories like Best Dressed and Most Sustainably Dressed. Iconic retailer Debenhams is the Official Style Partner of Ladies’ Day at the Randox Grand National Festival 2026.

Gates open earlier at 10am on Saturday, April 11, Grand National Day and the first race is at 1.20pm, with the big race going under starter’s orders at 4pm.

What’s new for this year?

Plenty!

* Best Hat: There’s a new category of Best Hat to be included in The Style Awards! Turning up the glamour for 2026, it’s been created to honour the bold, unforgettable, and show-stopping headpieces that define Ladies Day at Aintree. The prize for this – along with the other categories – is to be revealed soon, but what we do know is that Debenhams Ambassador and world-renowned milliner Lisa Tan will join the 2026 judging panel, bringing her exceptional eye for race-day style.

* Longma: Luxury dining experience Longma is being introduced this year, ‘where the thrill of the racetrack meets the grace of the dragon’. The package 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. Prices start at £840.

* Numbersixvalverde: Celebrating 20 years since Numbersixvalverde’s iconic Randox Grand National victory is another exclusive hospitality experience with a package that includes a four-course Grand Luncheon, brunch canapés, and chef’s stations serving a variety of boards, bowls and small plates throughout the day. There’s also an afternoon tea and inclusive bar. Priced from £780.

You can also find out more about the Randox Grand National Festival 2026 here.

Keep up to date with everything at the Randox Grand National Festival 2026 on our website.

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