- The festival makes its long-awaited return to the horse racing calendar
- Galopin Des Champs, ridden by Paul Townend, will look to retain the Gold Cup
- Here is everything you need to know about this year’s Cheltenham Festival
The Cheltenham Festival makes its long-awaited return in 2025 as one of the most significant events in the horse racing calendar.
Galopin Des Champs, ridden by jockey Paul Townend, will look to retain the Gold Cup title he claimed in 2024.
The French-bred racehorse is looking for a third successive Gold Cup, a feat last achieved by Arkle between 1964 and 1966.
So, when does it start, what channel can you watch the festival on and when is the Gold Cup?
Read on below for everything you need to know about this year’s Cheltenham Festival.
When is Cheltenham Festival 2025?
The Cheltenham Festival makes its long-awaited return in 2025 as one of the most significant events in the horse racing calendar
This year, the festival will take place from Tuesday March 11 to Friday March 14 2025.
For anyone attending the races, gates open at 10:30am on each of the four days of the festival.
The final day of racing sees the prestigious Gold Cup come up for grabs once – with the trophy being one of the most coveted in the sport.
How to watch Cheltenham Festival 2025
Coverage of Cheltenham will be broadcast across ITV on all four days of the event.
The first five races of each daycan also be streamed via ITVX but the broadcaster will not be showing any of the final two races on each day.
Mail Sport will also be on hand to bring you all the key news and updates from the festival so you don’t miss a moment of the action.
When is the Gold Cup?
2024 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs is seen with groom Adam Connolly
The Cheltenham Gold Cup is one of the most eagerly-anticipated days in the horse racing calendar.
It will take place on the fourth and final day of the Cheltenham Festival – which means it will be held on Friday March 14 in 2025 with the race itself beginning at 3:30pm.
Who are the Gold Cup favourites?
Galopin Des Champs – 2/5
Banbridge – 4/1
Fact To File – 9/2
Montys Star – 12/1
Corbetts Cross – 12/1
All odds were correct at the time of publication per Sky Bet.
Full schedule
Tuesday March 11
- 13:20 – The Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
- 14:00 – The My Pension Expert Arkle Novices’ Chase
- 14:40 – The Ultima Handicap Chase
- 15:20 – The Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle Race
- 16:00 – The Unibet Champion Hurdle
- 16:40 – The Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Race
- 17:20 – The National Hunt Novices’ Chase
Wednesday March 12
- 13:20 – The Turners Novices’ Hurdle Race
- 14:00 – The Brown Advisory Novices’ Steeple Chase
- 14:40 – The Coral Cup Hurdle
- 15:20 – The Glenfarclas Cross Country Steeple Chase
- 16:00 – The BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Steeple Chase
- 16:40 – The Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Steeple Chase Challenge Cup
- 17.20 – The Weatherbys Champion Bumper
Thursday March 12
- 13:20 The Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle
- 14:00 The Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase
- 14:40 The Pertemps Network Final
- 15:20 The Ryanair Steeple Chase
- 16:00 The Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle
- 16:40 The TrustATrader Plate
- 17:20 The Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup
Friday March 13
- 13:20 The JCB Triumph Hurdle
- 14:00 The William Hill County Handicap Hurdle Race
- 14:40 The Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Steeple Chase
- 15:20 The Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle Race
- 16:00 The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Steeple Chase
- 16:40 The St. James’ Place Festival Hunters Chase
- 17:20 Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle
