Everything you need to know about The Grand National Ladies Day Style Awards 2026

There’s nothing more guaranteed to get the city in a fashion frenzy than The Grand National Ladies Day Style Awards.

It’s an event everyone spends months getting ready for, whether it’s just to admire and enjoy the well-dressed people of Liverpool or to actually be part of the festival glitterati.

News that this year’s Style Awards are going to be bigger than ever is bound to send everyone racing to their favourite stylists, and the millinery world going into meltdown.

So as the excitement begins to mount, here’s everything you need to know about The Grand National Ladies Day Style Awards 2026 …

When are the Style Awards held?

The Style Awards are held on the second day of The Randox Grand National Festival and that’s Ladies Day, which this year falls on Friday, April 10.

Who is the style partner for this year’s awards?

Iconic retailer Debenhams is the Official Style Partner of Ladies’ Day at The Randox Grand National Festival 2026.

What can I win?

We said the competition was going to be bigger and better than ever this year – and so too are the prizes! There’s a staggering £10,000 worth of goodies to be won in this year’s incredible contest, and there are two brand-new awards.

Best Dressed: The winner of the Best Dressed award will be given the ultimate influencer-style escape with a luxury trip to Ibiza for two worth up to £4000. They’ll also win two Garden Club tickets to Ladies Day at The Randox Grand National 2027.

Best Suited: New for 2026 is the Best Suited award which aims to recognise impeccable tailoring. The winner will be able to sharpen up even further with an exclusive £1,000 Debenhams voucher to spend onsite, hospitality for two at the 154th Open at Royal Birkdale, and two Garden Club tickets to Ladies Day at The Randox Grand National 2027.

Best Hat: Honouring ‘bold, beautiful and unforgettable millinery’ the Best Hat title is another new one to battle it out for this year and the winner can indulge in a luxurious and relaxing British spa date for two up to the value of £2,000, plus two Garden Club tickets to Ladies Day at The Randox Grand National 2027 and hospitality for two at an Aintree Racecourse fixture of choice in 2026.

This Year's Style Awards winners (R-L)Claire Illingworth, Sally Ann Morgan, and Ainsley Briscoe — Last Year’s Style Awards winners (R-L)Claire Illingworth, Sally Ann Morgan, and Ainsley Briscoe

Why has The Jockey Club at Aintree created two new awards for 2026?

They say because every year it gets more and more difficult for judges to choose a winner at Aintree and the new categories help to celebrate the true style and uniqueness of its racegoers: “Ladies Day at The Randox Grand National is a celebration of standing out, not fitting in, and celebrates the bold and the fabulous.”

All categories are open to any age or gender and with amazing prizes up for grabs this year, they reckon the competition is set to be ‘bigger and better’ than ever.

Who will be judging the 2026 Style Awards?

The Guide’s own presenter Rachael Rhodes will be one of this year’s trio of judges, and she will be joined by Debenhams Ambassador and internationally acclaimed milliner Lisa Tan, and social media star and Liverpool style icon, Josie Peaches.

Aintree Style Award — The Guide’s Rachael Rhodes will be on this year’s Style Award Judging panel

How do I enter?

The organisers at Aintree have made easier than ever to take part in this year’s Style Awards. Just look out for Style Pods which you step into, give your details in, you’ll be photographed and that’s it – that’s your entry.