The Cheltenham Festival 2026 is one of the most exciting events in the horse racing calendar. Every year, the famous Cheltenham Racecourse hosts four days of world-class National Hunt racing, bringing together the best horses, jockeys and trainers from the United Kingdom and Ireland.
For betting fans, the festival is also one of the biggest opportunities of the year. Major races such as the Champion Hurdle, Ryanair Chase and Cheltenham Gold Cup attract huge betting interest and offer competitive odds across a wide range of markets.
If you are planning to bet on the festival, TonyBet provides extensive horse racing coverage, strong odds and a welcome bonus for new players. In this guide, we explain everything you need to know about betting on Cheltenham 2026 with TonyBet.
Cheltenham Festival 2026 Dates and Race Schedule
The Cheltenham Festival 2026 will take place from March 10 to March 13, delivering four days of high-level National Hunt racing at Cheltenham Racecourse in England.
Each day features several prestigious races and attracts the best horses, jockeys and trainers from both the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Here is the daily schedule for the 2026 Festival:
March 10 – Champion Day
The opening day of the festival includes some of the most anticipated races of the entire meeting. The highlight is the Unibet Champion Hurdle, a Grade 1 race over two miles featuring the best hurdlers in the sport.
Other important races on the first day include the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and the Arkle Challenge Trophy, both of which generate strong betting interest.
March 11 – Ladies Day
Ladies Day combines elite horse racing with the vibrant atmosphere Cheltenham is known for. One of the main races is the Queen Mother Champion Chase, one of the most prestigious two-mile chases in jump racing.
Another interesting race for bettors is the Cross Country Chase, which often produces unpredictable results.
St Patrick’s Thursday – March 12
This day celebrates the strong Irish presence at the festival. Irish trainers and jockeys traditionally perform very well at Cheltenham, and the rivalry between Ireland and Britain adds an extra level of excitement.
Major races include the Ryanair Chase and the Stayers’ Hurdle, both key events for racing fans and bettors.
Gold Cup Day – March 13
The festival concludes with the most prestigious race of the week: the Cheltenham Gold Cup. This legendary steeplechase is considered one of the most important races in National Hunt racing.
The final day also features the Triumph Hurdle and the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, making it one of the busiest betting days of the entire festival.
Why Bet on Cheltenham with TonyBet
TonyBet offers a complete horse racing betting experience, covering major racing events such as the Cheltenham Festival.
The platform provides:
- Competitive odds on major races
- Multiple betting markets for horse racing
- Live betting opportunities
- A welcome bonus for new players
- Mobile betting through browser or app
Because of the scale of the Cheltenham Festival, TonyBet usually offers extensive race coverage and betting markets across the four days of the event.
Types of Bets Available for Cheltenham
Horse racing betting offers a variety of markets, allowing bettors to choose different strategies depending on their level of risk.
Some of the most common betting options include:
TonyBet Welcome Bonus for Cheltenham Betting
New players who register at TonyBet can take advantage of a welcome bonus designed to boost their betting balance before placing wagers.
The offer provides a 100% matched bonus up to €100.
How the TonyBet bonus works
To qualify for the promotion, new users must follow these steps:
Qualifying bets must be placed at minimum odds of 1.50 for single bets or 1.70 combined odds for multi bets.
Once the wagering requirement has been completed, players will receive a free bet equal to 100% of the deposit amount, up to €100.
The free bet must be placed on a multi bet containing at least three selections, and any winnings will be credited as withdrawable funds.
Players have 14 days to complete the wagering requirement.
Betting on Cheltenham with TonyBet Mobile
Modern bettors often prefer placing wagers using their smartphones. TonyBet supports mobile betting through both browser access and dedicated betting interfaces.
With a mobile device, you can:
Mobile betting is particularly useful during large events like Cheltenham, where races take place throughout the day.
How to Bet on the Cheltenham Festival with TonyBet
Placing a bet on Cheltenham races using TonyBet is simple.
The process usually involves the following steps:
Once completed, your bet will be active for the selected race.
Horses to Watch at Cheltenham Festival 2026
Every edition of the Cheltenham Festival features horses that stand out as strong contenders in the biggest races.
Bookmakers analyse several factors when setting their odds, including:
The races that usually attract the most betting interest include:
Monitoring race previews and form guides can help bettors identify potential favourites before placing their wagers.
5 Tips for Better Cheltenham Festival Bets
Cheltenham races are highly competitive, so having a clear strategy can help improve your betting decisions.
Betting Strategies for Cheltenham Festival
Many bettors approach Cheltenham with specific betting strategies.
One popular method is bankroll management, which involves controlling the amount of money wagered on each race.
Another common strategy is each-way betting, where the stake is divided between a win bet and a place bet. This reduces risk while still offering potential returns.
Monitoring odds movements before the race can also provide valuable information about market expectations.
Where to Watch Cheltenham Festival 2026 Live
Many bettors prefer watching races live while placing wagers.
TonyBet often provides live streaming for selected horse racing events, allowing users to follow the action directly through the sportsbook.
To access live streaming, players typically need to:
