Cheltenham Festival 2025: Schedule, Road Closures, and Betting Offers

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The Cheltenham Festival 2025 is just around the corner, and fans of horse racing are eagerly anticipating the four-day event, which will take place from 11 March to 14 March. The festival is expected to attract around 250,000 spectators and will feature some of the biggest names in horse racing, including the famous Gold Cup race on its final day. Planned road closures are being paused around Cheltenham Racecourse and the wider town to ensure a smooth experience for attendees.

The annual event will take place every day from 11 March to 14 March, with all races scheduled to start at 13:20 GMT, and feature races from 16:00 GMT. Final races are set to take place at 17:20 GMT each day, although these times are subject to change. Day one of the event starts with Champion Day, featuring the Unibet Champion Hurdle as the main race, while Style Wednesday, traditionally known as Ladies Day, is day two's theme. St Patrick's Day is the focus for the third day, with the feature races being the Ryanair Steeple Chase and Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle. The main event, Gold Cup Day, is on the last day and will see The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup take place.

There are various ways people can travel to and from Cheltenham Racecourse throughout the week, including the Arle Court Park and Ride, which will run buses every 15 minutes from 09:15 GMT to 14:30 GMT to the racecourse. Return journeys to Arle Court Park and Ride start from 16:00 GMT until 19:30 GMT, with tickets costing £15 per day and a journey time of about 20 minutes. Additionally, Stagecoach provides a shuttle bus service for Cheltenham Festival, operating between Cheltenham Spa Railway Station, Cheltenham town centre, and the racecourse's south car park, with tickets costing £9 return and £6 single. The nearest railway station to the racecourse is Cheltenham Spa, and attendees can also walk or cycle between 2 to 3 miles directly to the venue.

For those looking to place bets on the Cheltenham Festival, there are several exclusive offers available from top bookmakers. Paddy Power is giving new customers £30 in free bets when they sign up and place a £5 bet, while Betfred is offering an impressive £50 in free bets for a £10 wager. Combined, these offers provide a total of £80 in free bets, giving attendees ample opportunity to maximize their Cheltenham Festival betting. Some of the top contenders for the festival include Brighterdaysahead, Constitution Hill, and Lossiemouth, with odds subject to change in the lead-up to the event. Here are some of the key races and their schedules:

• Tuesday, March 11: Champion Day, featuring the Unibet Champion Hurdle
• Wednesday, March 12: Style Wednesday, featuring the Queen Mother Champion Chase
• Thursday, March 13: St Patrick's Day, featuring the Ryanair Steeple Chase and Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle
• Friday, March 14: Gold Cup Day, featuring The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup

In addition to the racing action, attendees can also enjoy a range of food and drink options, as well as live music and entertainment. With its rich history and exciting atmosphere, the Cheltenham Festival is an event not to be missed for horse racing fans. Whether you're a seasoned punter or just looking for a fun day out, the Cheltenham Festival 2025 has something for everyone. So mark your calendars for 11-14 March and get ready to experience the thrill of horse racing at its finest.