Ladies Day at Aintree 2026: Fashion, Racing & Style Awards
It’s 10:30 am on the second Friday in April. Aintree station platform is heaving. Women in dresses that defy the Liverpool weather step carefully off trains. Men in suits that haven’t seen daylight since last year’s Grand National adjust their ties. Fascinators are secured. Heels are steadied. The atmosphere crackles with anticipation.
This isn’t Grand National Saturday. This is something different. This is Ladies Day at Aintree – where Liverpool style meets world-class racing, and 45,000 people turn up to see and be seen.
Welcome to #FabulousFriday.
- The Style Awards: Liverpool’s Fashion Olympics
- What to Wear: The Liverpool Way
- Food, Drink, and Entertainment
- Ladies Day at Aintree: Essential Information
What Is Ladies’ Day at Aintree?
Ladies Day falls on the Friday of the three-day Grand National Festival every April. It sits perfectly between Opening Day Thursday and Grand National Saturday. In 2026, Ladies Day takes place on Friday, April 10.
This is the day when fashion shares equal billing with racing. When the Red Rum Garden becomes a catwalk. When Style Awards matter as much as winning bets. When River Island vouchers worth thousands are up for grabs.
But don’t be fooled by the name. Everyone’s welcome. Men, women, racing fans, fashion enthusiasts. The only requirement? Turn up ready to enjoy yourself.
The gates open at 10:30 am. First race posts at 1:45 pm. Last race at 5:15 pm. Seven races total. Four of them are Grade 1 contests. Over £1 million in prize money on offer. Top-class racing from start to finish.
This isn’t a sideshow to the main event. This IS an event. Liverpool’s biggest fashion day of the year, combined with racing that would headline anywhere else.
The Racing: Topham Chase and Grade 1 Action
Let’s be clear about something. Ladies Day might be famous for fashion, but the racing is spectacular.
The headline act is the Randox Topham Handicap Chase. This is one of only three races run over the Grand National fences each year. At 2 miles 5 furlongs, it tests horses over those iconic spruce-topped obstacles without the full marathon distance of Saturday’s National.
Trainers use this race to see how their horses handle Becher’s Brook and The Chair. Some are testing for next year’s Grand National. Others are targeting the Topham itself – a prestigious Listed race that’s been run since 1949.
The fences are the same. The challenge is real. The drama is guaranteed. When 40 horses thunder towards Becher’s at racing speed, you remember why people have been coming to Aintree for nearly 200 years.
But Ladies Day isn’t just about one race. The card delivers four Grade 1 contests:
- Mildmay Novices’ Chase (3m 210y) – testing young chasers over a proper trip
- Top Novices’ Hurdle (2m 103y) – the stars of tomorrow
- Marsh Chase (2m 3f 200y) – elite two-milers, often featuring Cheltenham Festival winners
- Sefton Novices’ Hurdle (3m 149y) – stamina test for hurdlers
These aren’t warm-up acts. These are championship-level races. The prize money reflects it. The quality of horses proves it.
Yes, people come for the fashion. But they stay for the racing.
The Style Awards: Liverpool’s Fashion Olympics
Here’s where Ladies Day gets interesting.
At 3 pm, from the Red Rum Garden Stage, three winners are announced. Two Best Dressed racegoers. One Most Sustainably Dressed racegoer. The prizes? Serious.
Each Best Dressed winner receives:
- £3,000 River Island voucher
- 2 Garden Club tickets to next year’s Ladies Day
- Full Randox health package (Everyman or Everywoman)
- Additional River Island gifts worth £1,000
The Most Sustainably Dressed winner gets:
- £1,000 River Island voucher
- 2 Garden Club tickets to next year’s Ladies Day
- Hospitality for two at any Aintree fixture
- Additional River Island gifts worth £1,000
In previous years, winners have taken home Range Rover EVOques, holidays to the Caribbean, and cash prizes. The Style Awards aren’t a novelty. They’re legitimate prizes that people plan for months in advance.
River Island has been the Official Style Partner for years. They understand what Ladies Day represents. Bold choices. Confident style. Liverpool fashion at its finest.
How to Enter the Style Awards
It’s brilliantly simple. No applications. No advance entry. Just turn up looking your best.
Throughout the course, you’ll find Style Pods. Step inside. Give your details. Someone takes your photo. Done. You’re entered.
Style ambassadors mingle with the crowds, scouting for standout outfits. The judges – including fashion journalists, Liverpool celebrities, and Aintree ambassadors – make their selections during the day.
At 3 pm, the winners are announced live. If you’ve entered, you might want to be near the Red Rum Garden Stage. Just in case.
Previous winners range from 19-year-olds in stunning floral dresses to 64-year-olds in hot pink with red accents. There’s no “type” that wins. The judges look for confidence, creativity, and style that stand out from 45,000 people.
That’s the challenge. That’s the thrill.
What to Wear: The Liverpool Way
Here’s the thing about Aintree Ladies Day. There’s no official dress code. The Jockey Club removed it in 2023 to make racing “accessible and inclusive.”
But nobody told Liverpool.
Everyone still dresses up. Because that’s what you do. That’s what Ladies Day means. This isn’t about rules. This is about pride. About making an effort. About showing Liverpool style to the world.
For Women:
Dresses are the go-to choice. Midi dresses. Maxi dresses. Bodycon dresses. Bright colours. Bold prints. This isn’t the place for neutral tones and playing it safe.
Jumpsuits work brilliantly. Elegant, comfortable, and fashion-forward, If you’re looking for options and inspiration check out some Jumpsuits
Coats and blazers matter. Aintree in April can be cold. But Liverpool ladies refuse to let the weather ruin their outfits. Structured blazers add polish. Statement coats become part of the look.
Hats and fascinators are everywhere. This is Liverpool, not Royal Ascot. Go bold. Go big. Go creative. Fascinators shaped like flowers. Hats in colours you didn’t know existed. Headpieces that become conversation starters. Find a style to suit your outfit
Shoes are where practicality meets fashion. Yes, heels dominate. Yes, they’re uncomfortable by 5 pm. But Aintree is mostly concrete and paving – easier than grass courses where heels sink into mud.
The smart move? Bring foldable flats. Change later. Or grab the free flip-flops that Merseyrail hands out at the station at the end of the day. Liverpool knows how to look after its own.
For Men:
Don’t think Ladies’ Day means men are sidelined. The Style Awards are open to everyone. And the judges notice great male style.
Suits dominate, but forget the office grey. This is the day to wear colour. Bright blue. Bold patterns. Three-piece suits in unexpected shades.
Tweed works perfectly for April weather. Classic, warm, and quintessentially racing.
Shirts and ties add personality. Patterned shirts. Coloured ties. Pocket squares. Two-tone shoes. These details matter.
Hats for men? Absolutely. Flat caps are common, but if you want to stand out for the Style Awards, think bigger. Top hats get noticed.
The judges look for classic style with a twist. Traditional tailoring with confident colour choices. Polish with personality.
What NOT to Wear:
- Sports kits or football shirts (banned for safety – rival team tensions)
- Offensive fancy dress
- Anything that would embarrass your grandmother
That’s it. That’s the list. Everything else? Your choice.
The Celebrities: Coleen Rooney and Liverpool Royalty
If you’re at Ladies Day, you’re probably going to spot someone famous. This is Liverpool’s social event of the year. Local celebrities never miss it.
Coleen Rooney is Ladies Day royalty. Dubbed the “Queen of Aintree,” she’s rarely missed the Friday meeting in two decades. She’s judged the Style Awards. She’s presented prizes. Her outfits make national news.
Over the years, she’s worn everything from orange and black lace to hot pink Balenciaga. Always Christian Louboutin heels. Always perfectly styled. She understands what Aintree represents.
Other regulars include Christine McGuinness, Paddy McGuinness, Jamie Carragher, and various Liverpool and Manchester-based television personalities. WAGs (wives and girlfriends of footballers) have made Ladies Day their own tradition.
You’ll spot them in hospitality areas. Or presenting prizes. Or judging the Style Awards. They’re part of the day, not separate from it.
The Liverpool Difference
Ladies Day at Aintree isn’t like Ladies Day anywhere else. It’s not Royal Ascot’s conservative elegance. It’s not Cheltenham’s country tweeds. This is pure Liverpool.
Bold. Confident. Unapologetically glamorous. The fashion here doesn’t whisper. It shouts.
Some people love it. Some people don’t understand it. But everyone remembers it.
Liverpool makes no apologies for its style. The dresses are bright. The fake tan is evident. The heels are high. The confidence is unshakeable. This is a city that knows how to celebrate, and Ladies Day is when they do it at Aintree.
The atmosphere reflects it. This isn’t stuffy. This isn’t intimidating. Everyone’s welcome. Everyone’s equal. Dress up, enjoy the racing, have a drink, back a winner. That’s the deal.
Food, Drink, and Entertainment
Ladies Day delivers beyond racing and fashion.
Throughout the course, you’ll find street food vendors. Pizza, noodles, burgers, curries, fish and chips. For something more refined, Topham House offers fine dining. BOXPARK hosts up to 2,000 people with DJs and street food, including Korean BBQ, loaded fries, and wings.
Bars are everywhere. The Irish Bar in the Festival Zone. Private bars in premium enclosures. Champagne bars for those celebrating in style. On Ladies Day, there’s often £10 off bottles of Prosecco.
Early arrival pays off. For the first hour after gates open, you can get 20% off all food and drink across the site. Beat the crowds and save money.
Live music and DJs perform throughout the day. The Red Rum Garden hosts entertainment from 12:30pm onwards. The atmosphere builds as the afternoon progresses, peaking around the Topham Chase at 4:05pm.
Practical Tips for Your Ladies Day
Get there early. Gates open at 10:30 am. Arrive by noon to soak up the atmosphere before racing starts at 1:45 pm. Plus, you’ll get those early-bird discounts.
Book tickets in advance. Ladies Day sells out. Prices range from £53 for the Festival Zone to over £500 for full hospitality. Book early for the best availability and prices.
Plan your outfit for the weather. April in Liverpool means anything from sunshine to sideways rain. Layers are your friend. Waterproof mascara is essential. Check the forecast, then pack for the opposite.
Comfortable shoes strategy. Either commit to the heels all day, bring backup flats, or know that Merseyrail hands out flip-flops at the station when you leave. Your feet will thank you, get your portable pumps here
Enter the Style Awards. Find a Style Pod. Take five minutes. Get your photo taken. You might win thousands in prizes. What’s to lose?
Enjoy the racing. Yes, the fashion is spectacular. But don’t miss the Topham Chase at 4:05 pm. Watch them jump Becher’s Brook. Feel the thunder of hooves. Remember why you’re at Aintree.
Stay hydrated. It’s a long day. Pacing yourself matters. The last race isn’t until 5:15 pm.
Getting There and Away
Aintree station is steps from the racecourse entrance. Merseyrail runs special services on Ladies Day with trains every 7-8 minutes from Liverpool Central between 11 am and 1 pm. Journey time: 15 minutes. Ticket price: around £3-5.
This is genuinely the easiest option. No parking stress. No traffic jams. Just hop on a train and you’re there.
If you’re driving, parking must be pre-booked online. Don’t turn up expecting to find a space on Ladies Day. It won’t happen.
From Liverpool city centre, you can also catch the 922 shuttle bus service direct to the racecourse.
At the end of the day, Merseyrail staff famously hand out free flip-flops to tired racegoers. It’s become an Aintree tradition. Your feet are screaming. You’ve been in heels for seven hours. Those flip-flops feel like heaven.
Why Ladies Day Matters
In a sport sometimes accused of being stuffy and exclusive, Ladies Day at Aintree proves racing can be fun, accessible, and spectacular.
There’s no dress code telling you what to wear. No rules about hats being mandatory. No intimidating traditions that make newcomers feel unwelcome. Just 45,000 people are enjoying world-class racing, brilliant fashion, and a proper day out.
The Style Awards celebrate creativity and confidence. The racing showcases horses tackling the most famous fences in the world. The atmosphere proves that racing can pack a crowd and create an event people plan months in advance.
Liverpool owns this day. The city’s style, confidence, and character define it. And that’s exactly why it works.
Ladies Day isn’t trying to be Royal Ascot. It’s not competing with Cheltenham. It’s doing its own thing, the Liverpool way, and doing it brilliantly.
Your Ladies Day Experience
Whether you’re planning your outfit six months in advance or deciding the week before, Ladies Day at Aintree delivers.
The racing is top-class. The Topham Chase over those National fences never disappoints. Four Grade 1 races showcase the best horses in training. Over £1 million in prize money ensures quality fields.
The fashion is spectacular. Liverpool style in full force. Bold, confident, unapologetic. Where else can you win a Range Rover for wearing a great outfit?
The atmosphere is electric. From the moment trains start arriving at Aintree station to the last race at 5:15 pm, the buzz never stops.
This is British racing at its most fun. Accessible, exciting, inclusive. You don’t need to understand handicap ratings or know what a furlong is. You just need to turn up, embrace the day, and enjoy yourself.
That’s the beauty of Ladies Day. Racing purists love it for the Topham Chase and Grade 1 action. Fashion enthusiasts love it for the Style Awards and Liverpool glamour. First-timers love it because everyone’s welcome and the atmosphere carries you along.
Forty-five thousand people can’t be wrong.
So plan your outfit. Book your tickets. Get to Aintree. And discover why Ladies Day is one of the highlights of the British racing calendar.
Liverpool does fashion. Liverpool does racing. Liverpool does celebrations.
Ladies Day at Aintree is where it all comes together.
#FabulousFriday awaits.
Ladies Day at Aintree: Essential Information
Date (2026): Friday, April 10, 2026
Gates Open: 10:30 am
First Race: 1:45 pm
Last Race: 5:15 pm
Expected Attendance: 45,000
Feature Race: Randox Topham Handicap Chase (4:05 pm)
Style Awards Announcement: 3 pm (Red Rum Garden Stage)
Ticket Prices:
- Festival Zone: From £45
- West Tip Seats: From £70
- Princess Royal Roof: From £112
- Hospitality: From £500+
Getting There:
- Train: Merseyrail to Aintree station (15 minutes from Liverpool Central)
- Car: Pre-book parking online
- Bus: 922 shuttle service from Liverpool city centre
Dress Code: None official, but everyone dresses up
What to Bring:
- Weather-appropriate layers
- Comfortable backup shoes
- Sunscreen and/or umbrella
- Enthusiasm for racing and fashion
Related Content:
Red Rum: The Legend of Aintree
Aintree Racecourse: Complete Guide
Grand National at Aintree: Complete Race Guide
The History of Aintree Racecourse
[Bubble-Menu id=”1″]
More from Aintree
Gamble Responsibly
Gambling should be entertaining and not seen as a way to make money. Never bet more than you can afford to lose. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help and support is available.