Where to Watch Cheltenham Live

The Cheltenham Festival is one of the most popular sporting events in any calendar year, and when it comes to watching on your TV screen, ITV Racing or Racing TV are the best places to catch all of the drama.

But if you can’t get to the ‘Greatest Show on Turf’ in person, watching it on TV is the next best thing. In 2024, 953,000 tuned in across the week for Cheltenham, while in 2025, 1.8 million tuned into the Gold Cup, which was up by 200,000 on the previous year. In comparison, the Gold Cup TV share for 2024 hit a 1.59 million peak, showing significant growth.

Key Dates and Highlights

The 2026 Cheltenham Festival is scheduled to run from Tuesday 10th March to Friday 13th March.

In total, there are 28 races across four days, meaning it will be action-packed for racing enthusiasts.

Watching it live is essential, and viewers will be treated to high-quality action. We have shared the details for each race, and key races have been highlighted in bold.

Day 1 - Tuesday, 10th March

Day 2 - Wednesday, 11th March

Day 3, Thursday, 12th March

Day 4 - Friday, 13th March

Watching the Cheltenham Festival on TV

To keep on top of the action, tuning in via TV is the most accessible avenue. ITV is one of the main racing channels, and as you will see, they have been afforded more coverage.

ITV Racing Coverage

Terrestrial viewers will be able to catch the action via ITV, which has forged a reputation as one of the best horse racing broadcasters.

For 2026, ITV will show 24 of the 28 races, meaning they will cover six of the seven races each day.

It’s a great option for those who don’t wish to pay for a subscription. Ed Chamberlin normally fronts the coverage, and with celebrated guests, such as Sir AP McCoy, who chalked up over 4,000 winners during his career as a jockey, viewers are in safe hands.

Accessing ITV Racing on Different Providers

Watching Cheltenham on ITV is available on Freeview. So, if you have a Freeview box, you can enjoy the Cheltenham Festival without committing to a subscription package.

ITV Racing can also be accessed through Sky and Virgin Media (Channel 103). There will be extensive coverage starting late morning, and you can watch the day’s final feature race live.

ITV carries out interviews with the jockeys and trainers to thrust you into the action.

Watch Racing TV for Full Coverage of the Cheltenham Festival 2026

If you want to watch every race, then Racing TV will be a haven for racing enthusiasts. It is a premium option, and there is a seven-day catch-up service which can be accessed anywhere in the world.

Provided you have a minimum connection speed of 300kbps, you can enjoy uninterrupted coverage of the Cheltenham Festival. With tons of analysis and highlights, it is a one-stop place for fans. Below, we have provided subscription details for Racing TV.

Subscription Details

You can start a subscription to Racing TV if you are a UK resident, and the dedicated racing channel was set up in 2004. You can join online by visiting racingtv.com or by calling the team on 0344 855 1881.

Users can try Racing TV for free for one month. Upon signing up, the standard monthly price will be £29.98 if you don’t cancel after the free trial period ends. A minimum 12-month term will apply thereafter.

Channel Availability on Sky and Virgin Media

Racing TV is available on Virgin (Channel 536), and Racing TV on Virgin costs £22 per month. There is no minimum term to watch on Virgin, and you can get Racing TV on Virgin Media by calling 0345 454 1111 if you live in the UK.

You can watch Racing TV in HD on Sky (Channel 424). To join as a Sky customer, you need to visit racingtv.com or call the team on 0344 855 1881. Racing TV with Sky costs £24.98 per month.

On both Sky and Virgin Media, users can watch Cheltenham race replay programmes and get uninterrupted live racing all afternoon each day.

Streaming the Cheltenham Festival 2026 Online

If you can’t get in front of the TV, you can always stream through your phone (make sure you have enough data for this!) or on an iPad or tablet. The beauty of this is that you’ll never miss a beat if you want to watch it on the go.

Among the benefits of live streaming is the convenience of being able to watch a feature Cheltenham horse race while on the move, providing the same thrill.

This is particularly the case with streaming through a bookmaker app, and we have discussed this in more detail later on this page.

ITVX

ITVX, formerly known as ITV Hub, is the main streaming platform for Cheltenham coverage. You don’t need to have a traditional TV set-up, so you can install using a Firestick or through Amazon Prime.

Through ITVX, you can watch exclusive videos and features, as well as reruns of races.

You will only have to pay for ITV ad-blockers should you wish to enjoy coverage with no interruptions. Ad-free viewing through ITVX Premium costs £5.99 per month or £59.99 per year.

Racing TV Online

Racing TV Online is Racing TV’s dedicated streaming service that is aimed at serious bettors.

For those seeking a premium experience, Racing TV doesn’t disappoint, as you will get almost unrivalled TV coverage. This is brought together with all the latest news, analysis, racecards and results so fans can keep on top of the action. If you missed anything, there are replays on the site through Racing TV Player.

Streaming Quality and Features

• Video quality - The resolution or HD will be very clear. Common options include 720p and 1080p, with 4K craved by fans. Latency, for example, is very quick with Racing TV.
• Unique features - Via a stream, viewers can watch reruns of races and the latest analysis, so they are kept in the know.
• Lifespan - If you miss a race, the most reliable streaming platform will allow you to catch up, and the lifespan of content will be longer. As such, you will be able to watch on demand.

Watching the Cheltenham Festival on Apps

Through increased mobile usage, following the Cheltenham Festivals through an app has become more convenient for racing enthusiasts.

Apps are more versatile provided you have a stable internet connection, and you can keep on top of the action without any glitches or lagging problems.

Below, we have discussed the features of each of the most reputable Cheltenham apps.

Official Cheltenham Racecourse App

Features and Benefits

• Push notifications will be sent to your phone to alert you to race times.
• Although there is no live streaming, real-time updates are sent to you from the course.
• Digital racecards can be downloaded to inform you of the biggest races and latest tips.
• An interactive map so you can plot your way around Cheltenham if visiting in person.

Racing TV App

Features and Access

• The latest horse racing news.
• Live videos from the paddock.
• A fast results service sent directly to your phone or tablet.
• The Racing TV app is integrated with several leading bookmakers, so you can keep an eye on the latest prices before placing a bet.
• In-depth racecards supplied by Timeform, as well as Cheltenham betting tips.

Supported Devices

The Racing TV app is available for iPhone users, provided they have iOS 13.4 or later, and it is also compatible with Android devices through the Google Play Store.

For iOS users, the racing app runs on version 15.2 or later. On Android, the racing app runs on version 7.0 or later.

Watch the Cheltenham Festival on Bookmaker Apps

Live streaming has become more prominent with leading bookmakers, meaning that punters can watch through betting platforms without having to subscribe to dedicated channels.

Among the key benefits are seamless mobile compatibility as well as in-play betting, so you can watch all the Festival races while keeping on top of your bets.

Provided you have a stable connection and a funded account, you will be able to play at the best betting sites. We have outlined the bookmakers that offer live streaming for the Cheltenham Festival and discussed their streaming capabilities.

Bet365

Perhaps the most formidable for live streaming, Bet365 has partnered with Racing TV to live stream all coverage, and punters can enjoy top-quality coverage from the comfort of their homes, including live commentary.

The Bet £10 Get £30 in free bets welcome offer is set to stay for Cheltenham, but among the special promos are ‘Super Boosts’, where daily enhanced prices will be available on selected runners from 10am each day.

Paddy Power

Paddy Power also delivers a robust service, and the user-friendly platform makes it a trusted site to stream the action.

The app is well-signposted to make it easy to toggle to your preferred race. Odds advertised are competitive but fair, ensuring punters get value for their money betting there.

William Hill

William Hill has its own TV channel streaming all the action, and this established bookie will find race previews and expert tips while streaming Cheltenham.

Promos range from ‘Pick your Places’ to ‘Top Price Guarantee’, and for those who don’t have an account, William Hill has a live radio service so you can listen to the action.

All other bookies

Betfair, BetVictor, and Betway are also well-versed in providing live streams for Cheltenham. Betway has its own ‘Loyalty Club’ where you can get a £10 free bet depending on how much you have wagered throughout the week, while Betfair offers a dynamic experience.

Requirements for Live Streams

You will need to meet specific requirements to access live streams. This requires registering an account and having sufficient funds to play, both of which we have outlined.

Account Registration

To take advantage of a bookmaker’s live stream, you will need to create an account. We have used Bet365 as the example:

• Go to the site’s homepage and click on the “Join Now” button.
• Fill in required personal information, such as name and email address.
• After verifying your account, place a deposit using one of the approved banking options, and claim the welcome bonus.
• Then, head to the live horse racing section and click on a race available for streaming and there will be a “TV” icon.
• Check requirements before selecting a race to watch.

Minimum Bet or Funded Account

This will vary between bookmakers. Some may ask you to place a £1 minimum bet. Others will ask for a funded account or that you have placed a bet within the past 24 hours. Whatever the stipulations, they must be adhered to.

Benefits of Watching via Bookmaker Platforms

There are plenty of advantages to watching Cheltenham via bookmakers, and we have discussed them below.

• Great for in-play betting - Punters can access hundreds of live markets as the race unfolds, and many will have a Cash Out function, so you can retrieve wagers too.
• Exclusive promotions - Whether it is free bets or best odds guaranteed, this will help to enrich a player’s experience.
• Free to watch - Provided you have an account, you can watch a live stream without having to fork out for a subscription.

Integrated Betting Options

Many top bookies will allow punters to place bets as the action unfolds. The only thing to consider is that there could be a slight delay with a live stream, so consider this when betting live.

Nevertheless, bettors will be spoilt for choice in terms of markets to wager on, and odds will be updated in real time.

Listening to the Cheltenham Festival

If you prefer, you can listen to the Cheltenham Festival on the radio, and stations cater to regional and national audiences.

It is a great option for those on the road driving or at work, and can’t watch TV coverage.

Cheltenham Radio: Live Commentary

The official Cheltenham Festival radio station, Cheltenham Radio is on 87.7 FM, and you can hear about all the latest tips and insider news each day of the festival.

Racing greats and special guests are usually on the show, and there is also an official app available for iOS and Android users, so they can keep on top of updates.

Additional Radio Stations Broadcasting the Festival

For many years, BBC Radio 5 Live on 909 has become a trusted option for listening to Cheltenham. Live commentaries of races are coupled with excellent analysis and interviews.

Similarly, talkSPORT, which is a huge sports-based station, tackles race strategies and takes a deep dive into the day’s events. Both talkSPORT and Radio 5 Live helps fans stay connected with Cheltenham.

Daily Race Schedule and Broadcast Timings

This year, racing will be broadcast for over four hours a day via ITV, and there will be an extended version of The Opening Show, which will broadcast each morning for 90 minutes.

Races will start at 1:20pm each day, and there will be a break time of 40 minutes between each race to allow for analysis.

Day 1: Champion Day

Known as Champion Day, the first day of the Festival is marked by the Unibet Champion Hurdle, showcasing the finest two-mile hurdlers. Legends, such as Istrabaq and Hurricane Fly have etched their names in history, and below is the full schedule:

Day 2: Style Wednesday

Also known as Ladies’ Day, the high-octane action matches the stylish dresses on show. The feature race of the day is the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase, where past winners include the great Altior.

Day 3: St Patrick’s Thursday

There will be a party atmosphere in the air for St Patrick’s Day. The two feature races to keep tabs on are The Ryanair Chase and the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle Race.

Day 4: Gold Cup Day

The Gold Cup will be the main focus to round off a brilliant week of action. In 2025, Inothewayurthinkin beat Galopin Des Champs, preventing his fourth Gold Cup triumph in six years!