Founder & Editor · Last reviewed 2026-08-19
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See the Grand National live hubWhat Time is the Grand National 2026?
The Grand National 2026 starts at 4:00pm BST on Saturday 11 April 2026 at Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool.
Racing on Grand National day begins at 1:45pm with five races before the National itself. The full card runs until approximately 5:15pm.
At a glance:
| Race | Randox Grand National 2026 |
| Date | Saturday 11 April 2026 |
| Start time | 4:00pm BST |
| Venue | Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool |
| TV | ITV1 (live) |
| Distance | 4 miles 2½ furlongs |
| Runners | 34 |
The race takes approximately 9–10 minutes to complete. By 4:15pm you should know the result.
Where to Bet
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Full Race Schedule — Grand National Day 2026
There are six races on Grand National day (Saturday 11 April). All times are BST.
| Time | Race | Distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1:45pm | Race 1 | 2m | Opening race |
| 2:25pm | Race 2 | 2m4f | |
| 3:05pm | Race 3 (Topham Chase) | 2m5f | Run over National fences |
| 3:45pm | Race 4 (Grand Sefton) | 2m | Over National fences |
| 4:00pm | Race 5 — Grand National | 4m2½f | The main event |
| 5:15pm | Race 6 | 2m | Final race of the day |
Exact post times for races 1–4 and race 6 are confirmed closer to the meeting. The Grand National itself is fixed at 4:00pm.
The full Aintree Festival (9–11 April)
Grand National day is the final day of the three-day Aintree Festival. The full festival schedule:
| Day | Date | Key Race |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday | 9 April | Manifesto Novices' Chase |
| Friday | 10 April | Aintree Hurdle, Mildmay Novices' Chase |
| Saturday | 11 April | Grand National — 4:00pm |
If you're attending on Thursday or Friday, racing starts at 1:30pm on both days.
TV and Streaming Guide
ITV1 — free-to-air
ITV has the Grand National and shows the race live on ITV1. Coverage typically begins around 1:30pm, building up through the afternoon card before the National at 4:00pm. ITV's coverage includes pre-race analysis, jockey interviews, and the full race broadcast.
ITV1 is free on Freeview (channel 3), Sky (channel 103), and Virgin Media (channel 103).
ITVX — free online streaming
ITVX streams ITV's Grand National coverage live and free. Available on desktop, mobile, and most smart TVs. No subscription required — you just need a free ITVX account.
Racing TV
Racing TV has full festival coverage across all three days, including races not shown on ITV. Requires a subscription. Available on Sky channel 426 and online at racingtv.com.
Betting shop coverage
Most major betting shops (Betfred, William Hill, Ladbrokes, Coral, Paddy Power) show the Grand National on their in-shop screens. Shops open from around 9am on race day. Queues at the counter build from around 2pm — if you want to place a bet in person, go before 3:30pm.
Abroad
The Grand National is broadcast in over 140 countries. If you're outside the UK, check your local sports broadcaster or use a VPN to access ITVX (you'll need a UK IP address).
On the Day — Timing Tips
If you're betting
Online bookmakers close markets a few minutes before the off. Get your bets on by 3:50pm at the latest. If you're doing a sweepstake or each-way bet with a betting shop, go before 3:30pm — queues at the counter are long on National day.
Ante-post markets are open now. Prices tighten significantly after final declarations on Wednesday 8 April and again on the morning of the race. If you want the best price, bet earlier in the week.
If you're watching at the pub
Most pubs showing the race will be busy from around 2pm. The 4:00pm start means it falls in peak Saturday afternoon pub hours. Get there before 3:30pm if you want a good spot.
If you're at Aintree
Gates open from 10am on race day. The Grand National enclosures are: County Stand, Princess Royal, Lord Sefton, and the Aintree Village public area.
The weighing room area gets congested from 3:30pm as crowds build for the main event. Find your spot before then.
If your horse falls
About half the field won't complete the course in a typical Grand National. Falls, unseated riders, and pulled-up horses are all common. The race takes 9–10 minutes — if your horse is still running at the Canal Turn second time, they have a genuine chance of finishing.
The result is usually known by 4:15pm.
While you wait for the off, you can see today's racing read by our AI, which gives the model's probabilities for every UK race, published as research rather than tips.
Grand National 2026 Time — FAQ
What time does the Grand National start in 2026?
4:00pm BST on Saturday 11 April 2026. The race is at Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool, and takes approximately 9–10 minutes to complete.
What time does racing start on Grand National day?
The first race on Saturday 11 April is at 1:45pm BST. There are five races before the Grand National, with the final race of the day at around 5:15pm.
What channel is the Grand National on?
ITV1, free-to-air. Coverage typically starts around 1:30pm. The race itself is at 4:00pm. ITVX streams it live for free online.
What time is the first race at Aintree on Grand National day?
1:45pm BST on Saturday 11 April 2026.
What time does the Grand National finish?
The race takes 9–10 minutes. If it starts at 4:00pm, the result is usually known by 4:15pm.
What are the race times for the full Aintree Festival?
- Thursday 9 April: first race 1:30pm
- Friday 10 April: first race 1:30pm
- Saturday 11 April (Grand National day): first race 1:45pm, Grand National 4:00pm
When do I need to place my bet by?
Online: by 3:50pm at the latest (most bookmakers close the market shortly before the off). Betting shop: aim to be at the counter by 3:30pm to avoid the queue.
How long is the Grand National?
4 miles 2½ furlongs — the longest National Hunt race in Britain. There are 30 fences over two circuits. The average winning time is around 9 minutes.
Where to bet on UK racing: see our bookmaker reviews and offers for the current welcome offers, Best Odds Guaranteed coverage, and each-way terms ahead of upcoming UK + Irish racing.
Sources & verification
Race details, dates, prize money and trends in this piece were cross-checked against:
- Racing Post — race archive + form database
- Sporting Life — race cards and results
- Wikipedia — long-run historical data
[Source: cross-referenced as of the lastUpdated date in this article's meta.yaml.]
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