Every sport has that one tournament that sits at the top of others, and for horse racing, that sport is the Grand National. It is the biggest horse racing event that happens every April, and a recent study shows that over 600 million people view this event globally. That many people take out time to watch 34 horses compete, and it’s usually a time filled with many unpredictable and heart-pounding dramas. If you’re just hearing about this event and just want to know why everyone is talking about it, then this guide is for you. We cover all you need to know about the tournament, a bit of history, and how you can join in the fun.
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Table of contents
- What is the Grand National?
- When is the Grand National 2026? Date, Time & Event Schedule
- Grand National 2026: Confirmed Runners & Top Contenders
- How to Bet on the Grand National: A Beginner's Guide
- The Aintree Course: A Lap of the Iconic Fences
- Grand National History & Famous Winners
- How to Watch the Grand National (Live TV & Tickets)
- What to Wear: The Grand National Dress Code
- Conclusion: The Enduring Appeal of the World's Greatest Race
- Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Grand National?
The Grand National is not like the usual races you may have seen; it’s a bit more complex in the sense that the horses don’t just run, but in addition to the running, they have to jump large fences placed along the course. Because the Grand National is a National Hunt race, jumping over obstacles is a compulsory requirement.
The tournament is held at the Aintree Racecourse, which is the best way to test the strength of a horse and the skill of the jockey. The Grand National races are usually longer than a normal race, and the fences, too, are much bigger and tougher. It’s one of the most unpredictable horse racing events, where underdog horses have exceeded expectations and won many times.
When is the Grand National 2026? Date, Time & Event Schedule
The Grand National 2026 is scheduled for three days, and it’s to take place at the Aintree Racecourse. It’ll run from Thursday, 9 April to Saturday, 11 April 2026. Here’s a breakdown to help you plan:
The Schedule
- Thursday, 9 April (Opening Day): This is the day the festival begins, and it starts with top National Hunt races and several other Grade 1 events.
- Friday, 10 April (Ladies Day): The second day is usually very lively, with fashion and many races to excite you.
- Saturday, 11 April (Grand National Day): This is the main festival day, and several races happen in the afternoon before the Grand National starts at 4:00 PM at Aintree Racecourse.
Grand National 2026: Confirmed Runners & Top Contenders
The way the Grand National is designed, it only allows a maximum of 40 horses to run in the race at Aintree Racecourse. However, many horses enter at the beginning, but over time, the list becomes even smaller until the final 40 runners are confirmed. Before horses are allowed to participate in this tournament, the trainers have to enter their horses months before the race starts. The horses are screened and given a handicap weight to help decide which horses qualify for the race. In this process, some horses will be withdrawn, while others will not make the final list. The final runners are usually confirmed a few days before the race starts. But before the official runners are announced, there are usually ante-post favourites that punters look out for. Let’s check out some of the favourites antepost favourites.
The Favourites for the 2026 Grand National
- Iroko: This horse finished fourth place in the 2025 Grand National. He has proven to be able to handle the distance and many fences at Aintree.
- I Am Maximus: This is the horse trained by the famous Willie Mullins. The horse won the 2024 Grand National and finished in second place in the 2025 Grand National.
- Haiti Couleurs: This horse has strong stains, and he won the Irish Grand National and the Welsh Grand National in 2025.
- Captain Cody: Another horse to look out for is Captain Cody. It looks promising, and who won the Scottish Grand National in 2025.
- Nick Rockett: This is the horse that won the 2025 Grand National. There’s a possibility of it winning again, so pay attention to the horse.
How to Bet on the Grand National: A Beginner's Guide
To prepare to bet on the Grand National, here’s what you should do:
- First, select a bookmaker that’s licensed and regulated by the UKGC. You can choose from our site; all our bookmakers are licensed
- Register an account with the bookmaker you have selected, and verify the account
- Proceed to deposit with any of the available payment options
- Go to the sports section, check UK races, and you’ll find the Grand National
- Pick the markets you want to bet on, enter your stake, and click on place bet.
It’s as simple as that, and this process is typically what is required to place bets. Go sign up, verify, deposit, and start betting on the Grand National.
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Understanding the Odds & Bet Types
Odds basically show how much money you can win and how likely the horse is to win the race.
For example, if you see an odds of 10/1 on a horse, it just means that for every £1 you bet, you stand a chance to win £10 if the horse wins. The horses that have lower odds are usually the favourites, while the horses with higher odds are usually the underdogs.
Here are some of the most common bet types you should be familiar with for betting on the Grand National:
| Bet Type | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Win Bet | This bet type means you only win if your horse finishes first. |
| Each-Way Bet | This is more like two bets in one: You’re placing a winner and a place bet. Your bet is settled as a win if your horse finishes first, and you still get a smaller payout if the horse finishes in one of the top places (usually top 4 or 5). |
The Aintree Course: A Lap of the Iconic Fences
As stated earlier, the course where the Grand National takes place is at Aintree Racecourse. The race happens on a course that’s over 4 miles. For horses to make it to the finish line, they’ll have to jump 30 fences during the race. To break it down further, the course is completed over two laps, with 16 fences on the first circuit and 14 on the second. The Grand National fences are larger and even more challenging than those in most races, which is why it is known as the toughest test for both horse and jockey. Here are more details on the fences:
Becher's Brook
This is one of the most popular fences, and horses have to jump it twice in the race. It’s usually the 6th and 22nd fences. The reason why it’s a bit challenging to jump is that the landing side is lower than the take-off side.
The Chair & The Water Jump
The Chair is the tallest fence on the course, and it's about 5ft 2in high. It has a ditch in front of it, which makes the jump even more difficult. Another popular obstacle is the Water Jump. It is not very tall, but it has a wide water ditch, and many spectators are excited by its jump. Both the Chair and the Water Jump are only jumped once during the first lap of the race.
Grand National History & Famous Winners
The Grand National is one of the UK's most cherished horse racing tournaments, and it has been in existence since 1839. The first tournament took place at Aintree Racecourse and, since then, has attracted the attention of millions of people all over the world. Over the years, many horses and jockeys have successfully created memories that still stay fresh in many fans' memories. Here are some of the unforgettable moments this event has created:
The Legend of Red Rum
If you’re familiar with the Grand National history, then you know the most famous horse which is Red Rum. Red Rum is the only horse to have won the Grand National race three times in 1973, 1974, and 1977. This record made him a national icon, and his name is now synonymous with the Grand National.
Modern Champions: Tiger Roll
Just after Red Rum is Tiger Roll. He is the most recent multi-time winner of the Grand National. In 2018 and 2019, he achieved back-to-back victories, and that success made him another history. Tiger Roll's victory is proof that results are predictable and that what happened in the 1900s can happen again
How to Watch the Grand National (Live TV & Tickets)
There are several ways you can watch the Grand National in the UK, and here are more details on how you can watch the races live:
- If you’re in the UK, you can watch the Grand National live on ITV
- If you prefer streaming, you can stream the race online via the ITV Hub or other official broadcasting partners. Many bookmakers allow live streaming of the Grand National.
- If you’re more interested in attending in person, you can purchase tickets that’ll give you access to all the races for the three-day festival. Here’s the link to the Aintree website to purchase your ticket: Aintree Racecourse Tickets.
This already answers the question of which channel is the Grand National on. Let’s now check out what fans wear to the Grand National.
What to Wear: The Grand National Dress Code
There’s no compulsory rule that says you must dress a certain way to attend the Grand National festival, but people still love to dress up for the occasion. Here’s what most people will be wearing on the days of the festival
- For Ladies Day, which is Friday of the festival, many attendees wear smart dresses, formal outfits, and fancy hats or fascinators. It’s a fashion day, and there are usually best-dressed competitions, and the atmosphere is lively and festive.
- On Grand National Day, which is on Saturday, there is no strict dress code, but it’s encouraged to put on smart and stylish clothing. Many like to wear blazers, smart dresses, or tailored outfits. The idea is to be comfortable for a full day at the races.
You may want to dress as most people will, but you’re still at liberty to wear whatever you want to wear. Just ensure you’re on what will make you remain comfortable throughout the day.
Conclusion: The Enduring Appeal of the World's Greatest Race
The Grand National is not just another horse racing tournament in the UK. It’s more of a festive thing, and the emergence of horses like Red Rum and Tiger Roll has proven that winnings can be predictable. You can choose to watch via ITV, stream live, or just purchase a ticket to watch live.
As you prepare to participate in the coming tournament, ensure you have registered with any of our bookmakers, verify your account, and make the required deposits. Also, don’t forget to do your own research as you place bets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time is the Grand National 2026?
The 2026 Grand National is scheduled to start at 4:00 PM (BST) on Saturday, 11 April 2026 at Aintree Racecourse.
How many horses run in the Grand National?
A maximum number of horses that are allowed to start a race is 40. This is so that it’s not crowded and to keep the course safe for the competing horses.
How many days will the 2026 Grand National take?
The 2026 Grand National Festival will only take place for three days. It’ll start on a Thursday and end on Saturday.
Who won the Grand National 2025?
The 2025 Grand National was won by Nick Rockett.
How many horses died in the Grand National 2025?
The 2025 race was completed safely, and there were no horse fatalities reported during the event.