Cheltenham Festival 2019 – When is it and how to watch plus prize money, tickets and dress code
- Cheltenham Festival four-day event takes place between 12-15 March 2019
- Live coverage throughout Cheltenham Festival’s duration on ITV and Racing TV
- Dress code for Cheltenham Festival is very lenient in comparison to Royal Ascot
The yearly Cheltenham Festival is nearly upon us .
With thousands of spectators expected to rock up to Cheltenham Festival 2019 you can be sure there will be a lively atmosphere as jockeys, trainers and owners battle for glory and prize money worth up to £4.59million over the 4 days.
Sportsmail provide you with all the latest you need to know ahead of the four-day horse racing event including dates, times, channel, dress code and prize money.

Richard Johnson riding Native River won the Cheltenham Gold Cup Steeple Chase in 2018
When does Cheltenham festival start?
The four-day horse racing event at Cheltenham Festival takes place on the 12th, 13th, 14th and 15th March 2019.
- Champion Day – Tuesday 12th March
- Ladies Day – Wednesday 13th March
- St Patrick’s Thursday – Thursday 14th March
- Gold Cup Day – Friday 15th March
Cheltenham Festival 2019 schedule
How to watch it on TV?
There will live coverage of Cheltenham Festival presented by Ed Chamberlin and Francesca Cumani throughout the four-days on ITV Racing which will show every race from 1:30pm to 4:30pm
If you want to watch every single race plus the 4:50pm and 5:30pm races that are not available on ITV you can watch on Racing TV, Sky channel 432.
Cheltenham Festival prize money
The total amount of prize money available over the duration of the Cheltenham Festival is 4.59million.
The majority of the prize money is distributed among Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup (£625,000), Stan James Champion Hurdle (£450,000), Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase (£400,000), Sun Bets Stayers’ Hurdle (£325,000) and the Ryanair Chase (£350,000).
Can I still get tickets and how much?
There are still tickets available for Champion Day, Ladies Day and St Patrick’s Thursday from £45.
However, if you are after Gold Cup day tickets they are sold out on the The Jockey Club website. You can also purchase alternatively through re-seller sites such as Viagogo who are selling tickets from £107
Cheltenham Festival fashion
Cheltenham Festival fashion The dress code for the festival duration is very lenient with a tendency to dress according to the weather during the winter months.
The leniency even stretches to fancy dress, but they do permit the right to refuse entry if your outfit is deemed inappropriate or offensive.
However, unless you want to stick out like a sore thumb by turning up in your tracksuit bottoms it’s probably best to make an effort. The majority attending take the opportunity to spruce up with smart and glamorous outfits.
Men’s dress code
Gentlemen usually wear formal attire be a suit or tweed outfit for the event and most definitely if watching the races in the Club Enclosure.
Women’s dress code
Many ladies wear hats to the four-day showpiece event, although are advised to take the weather into account as much as the fashion.


Just some of the examples of how people dress for the Cheltenham Festival occasion