Cheltenham November Meeting 2026: Dates, Tickets, Tips
The Cheltenham November Meeting 2026, Friday 13 to Sunday 15 November: what happens each day, gate and race times, ticket prices by enclosure, parking and the bus, and where to stay, eat and drink near the racecourse.
In short: the Cheltenham November Meeting 2026 runs from Friday 13 to Sunday 15 November at Cheltenham Racecourse. Saturday is the big day, with the Paddy Power Gold Cup at 2.20pm. Sunday is the family day. Adult tickets start at £13.50 in Best Mate on Friday and Sunday, and under 18s go free if you book their ticket. Parking is free except on Saturday.
The Cheltenham November Meeting is three days of jump racing in mid-November, and a cheaper day out than the Cheltenham Festival in March. Race times, prices and rules here come from the racecourse's own pages, and the hotels, restaurants and bars from their own websites, all checked on 23 October 2026.
When is the Cheltenham November Meeting 2026?
Friday 13 to Sunday 15 November 2026. Each day has its own name and feel, and the last race is at about 4pm every day.
| Day | Date | Gates | Big race |
|---|---|---|---|
| Countryside Day | Fri 13 Nov | 10.30am | Shloer Steeplechase, 2.20pm |
| Super Saturday | Sat 14 Nov | 10am | Paddy Power Gold Cup, 2.20pm |
| Carnival Sunday | Sun 15 Nov | 10.30am | Greatwood Hurdle, 3.10pm |
How much are Cheltenham November Meeting tickets?
From £13.50 for an adult in Best Mate on Friday or Sunday. These are the lowest adult prices the racecourse's ticket page showed for each enclosure on 23 October 2026. Club and Best Mate for Saturday are priced when you pick the day on the racecourse's site.
| Enclosure | Fri 13 Nov | Sat 14 Nov | Sun 15 Nov |
|---|---|---|---|
| Club | £30 | See site | £30 |
| Tattersalls | In Club | £37 | In Club |
| Best Mate | £13.50 | See site | £13.50 |
Good to know: on Friday and Sunday, Club and Tattersalls are sold as one ticket. Under 18s go free with a paying adult, but you must order their free ticket online. The gates take cards only, and the racecourse says buying online in advance gets you a better price than the gate. Buy Club or Best Mate for more than one day and the extra days are 10% off.
Which day of The November Meeting should I go to?
Saturday for the best racing and the biggest crowd, Sunday for children, Friday for a calmer day out.
Friday: Countryside Day
A day for rural life and tradition, this year celebrating Jilly Cooper. Irish band One For The Road play the Guinness Village through the day, and The AfterParty play The Centaur after racing.
- 📅 Fri 13 Nov
- ⏰ Gates 10.30am, first race 1.10pm
- 🏇 Shloer Steeplechase 2.20pm
- 🎟️ From £13.50
Saturday: Super Saturday
The racecourse calls it one of the most anticipated race days outside the Cheltenham Festival. Seven races include the Paddy Power Gold Cup, a handicap chase over about two and a half miles, and trials for March's Triumph Hurdle and Arkle. After racing, Massaoke, a live band sing-along, takes over The Centaur.
- 📅 Sat 14 Nov
- ⏰ Gates 10am, first race 12.35pm
- 🏆 Paddy Power Gold Cup 2.20pm
- 🎟️ Tattersalls £37
Good to know: Saturday is the only day you pay to park (see below). The Panoramic Restaurant had sold out online for Friday when we checked.
Sunday: Carnival Sunday
The family day. Shetland pony racing opens the card at 12.15pm. The Centaur Family Fun Zone has stage shows, a dinosaur meet and greet, a mini zoo, inflatables and face painting. Fairground rides in Best Mate are open to every ticket holder.
- 📅 Sun 15 Nov
- ⏰ Gates 10.30am, ponies 12.15pm
- 🏇 Greatwood Hurdle 3.10pm
- 🎟️ From £13.50, under 18s free
Good to know: the Fun Zone is for Club ticket holders only, so a Best Mate ticket gets the rides but not The Centaur.
How do I get to Cheltenham Racecourse in November?
On foot or by bus from town, or by car on any day but Saturday, when parking is paid.
Cheltenham Racecourse
The home of jump racing, at Prestbury Park on the north side of town, with the Cotswold hills behind. Public parking is free on Friday and Sunday. On Saturday the public car park is from £8 if you book ahead.
- 🚌 Raceday bus from Cheltenham Spa station
- 🅿️ Sat parking from £8 in advance
- 💳 Cashless bars and food
- 📍 Evesham Road, GL50 4SH
Good to know: several roads around the course close or go residents-only on Friday and Saturday. Outside food and non-alcoholic drinks are allowed in Best Mate only, alcohol is not allowed in anywhere, and bags are searched. Dogs other than guide dogs are not allowed.
What should I wear to the November Meeting?
Whatever keeps you warm and dry. The racecourse asks only that you come "dressed to feel your best", and says jeans and clean trainers are fine. Much of the course is open, so bring layers and an umbrella. Leave team kits at home.
Where to stay, eat and drink for The November Meeting
Eight places in our directory on the racecourse side of town, each checked on its own website.
No.38 The Park
A Georgian townhouse with 13 bedrooms that calls itself the closest hotel to the racecourse, a 15-minute stroll away. It has its own restaurant for dinner after racing.
- 🐕 Every room dog friendly
- 🅿️ Parking space if you book direct, when available
- 📍 Evesham Road, Pittville
Cotswold Grange
A boutique hotel on a quiet, tree-lined road between the racecourse and the town centre. Some rooms look out towards Cleeve Hill.
- 🛏️ Individually decorated rooms
- 📍 Pittville Circus Road, Pittville
Clarence Court Hotel
An independent hotel in a Grade II listed Regency house on Clarence Square, with its own restaurant, Forty5 The Square. It puts the racecourse within easy walking distance.
- 🅿️ Free parking if you book direct, when available
- 🪜 No lift
- 📍 Clarence Square, Pittville
Turtle Bay Cheltenham
Caribbean food and cocktails on the corner of Pittville Street and Albion Street, in the town centre. Good for a group that wants to keep going.
- 🍹 Caribbean food and cocktails
- 📍 Albion Street, Town Centre
The Istanbul Kitchen
Turkish breads, kebabs and plenty for vegetarians and vegans, with a kids menu for Carnival Sunday families.
- 🧒 Kids menu
- 📅 Book online
- 📍 Winchcombe Street, Town Centre
The Coconut Tree Cheltenham
Sri Lankan sharing plates and cocktails on St Paul's Road. By its own account the volume goes up and the bill stays down, and it is open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
- 🍽️ Food Fri and Sat to 10pm, Sun to 9pm
- 🍹 2 cocktails for £12
- 📍 St Paul's Road, Pittville
33 The Rum Bar
A small, dog-friendly rum and cocktail bar on Prestbury Road with more than 150 rums.
- 🍹 Happy hour Tue to Sat, 5pm to 7pm
- 📍 Prestbury Road, Pittville
Sandford Park Alehouse
Cheltenham CAMRA's pub of the year in 2023, with 10 cask and 16 keg lines. It is across town from the course, so it suits the evening rather than a pint on the way.
- ⏰ Fri and Sat to midnight
- 🍽️ Food Fri and Sat 12pm to 9pm
- 📍 High Street, Town Centre
Cheltenham November Meeting: questions
When is the Cheltenham November Meeting 2026?
Friday 13 to Sunday 15 November 2026. Gates open at 10.30am on Friday and Sunday and at 10am on Saturday.
What time is the Paddy Power Gold Cup?
2.20pm on Saturday 14 November 2026. Timings can change, so check the racecard on the day.
Do children go free to the November Meeting?
Yes. Under 18s go free with a paying adult on all three days, but you need to order their free ticket online.
Is parking free at Cheltenham Racecourse in November?
On Friday and Sunday, yes. On Saturday you pay, and the public car park is from £8 if you book ahead.
Can I buy tickets on the day?
Usually, unless a day sells out, but the gates take cards only. Buying online in advance is cheaper than the gate price.