Cheltenham Festival 2025: Everything you need to know

Ladbrokes presents fans with a comprehensive guide featuring all the details you need to know ahead of Cheltenham Festival 2025.

We're now in March 2024 and horse racing fans in the UK and across the world begin to get excited for next week's Cheltenham Festival, arguably the biggest few days in the sport's calendar.

There's now only a few days until the first race at Cheltenham 2025, and Ladbrokes wants bettors prepared so we've created a comprehensive guide everything you need to know about this year's festival.

One of the most frequent questions on everyone’s mind is: When does Cheltenham Festival 2025 take place?

Cheltenham Festival 2025 is scheduled to be held from Tuesday, 11th March to Friday, 14th March. Spanning four days, the festival promises a series of elite races, from Grade 1 events to more challenging handicaps. Make sure these dates are marked on your calendar, as you'll want to follow the action closely.

The Cheltenham Festival is home to some of the most prestigious races in the world of horse racing. Whether you’re a seasoned punter or new to the scene, knowing the key races is essential.

• Day 1 (Tuesday, 11th March) - Champion Day - The first day opens with the Supreme Novices' Hurdle and culminates in the Unibet Champion Hurdle, one of the most highly anticipated Grade 1 races of the festival. Horses such as Constitution Hill and Honeysuckle have dominated this race in recent years.
• Day 2 (Wednesday, 12th March) - Ladies Day - Day 2 brings the excitement of the Queen Mother Champion Chase, known for its speed and intensity. Past winners like Energumene have set the bar high for 2025's competitors.
• Day 3 (Thursday, 13th March) - St. Patrick’s Thursday - Known for its festive atmosphere, this day features the Ryanair Chase and the Stayers' Hurdle, which draw immense crowds and fierce competition.
• Day 4 (Friday, 14th March) - Gold Cup Day - The grand finale of the festival, Gold Cup Day, is centered around the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the race every jockey, trainer, and owner dreams of winning. In 2024, Galopin Des Champs claimed victory, and the 2025 contest is shaping up to be another thrilling battle.
  

Tickets for Cheltenham Festival 2025 are already available and sell out as the event approaches. The earlier you book, the better your chances of securing prime seats. Cheltenham offers a range of ticket options from general admission to premium hospitality packages.

To buy tickets, head to the official Cheltenham Racecourse website or authorised sellers. Prices vary depending on the enclosure, but options include:

• Club Enclosure: Offering the best views and facilities.
• Tattersalls Enclosure: A mid-range option that balances price and experience.
• Best Mate Enclosure: A more budget-friendly choice, providing great views from the opposite side of the track
  

For those planning to place bets during the Cheltenham Festival, it’s essential to understand the various betting markets and strategies available. Here at Ladbrokes, we offer a wide range of markets on every race, from win bets to each-way options.

• Ante-post Betting - One of the most popular ways to get involved before the festival even begins. Ante-post markets allow you to back your favourites well in advance, often at higher odds than on race day. However, be cautious of non-runners, as some markets don’t return your stake in that scenario.
• Win or Each-Way - On race day, the most common bets include win (backing a horse to finish first) and each-way (splitting your stake, where half is placed on a win and the other on placing within a set number of positions, usually top 3 or 4).
• Accumulator Bets - If you’re feeling bold, accumulator bets allow you to combine selections across multiple races or days. While risky, the potential payouts can be massive.
  

Ladbrokes will provide live odds updates, expert tips, and exclusive promotions leading up to Cheltenham 2025, so keep an eye on our website for the latest.

View the latest Cheltenham Festival odds