When Is the Grand National? | 2027 Date & Schedule Guide

Plenty of people ask “when is the Grand National” every spring – and the answer matters more than most race dates because the Grand National Festival is a three-day event with its own schedule. The 2027 Grand National is officially set for Saturday, 10 April 2027, according to The Jockey Club (official racecourse operator), and this guide covers the exact dates, the Irish Grand National, betting favourites, field size, and jockey pay.

Next Grand National Date: Saturday, 10 April 2027 ·
Venue: Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool, England ·
Sponsor: Randox Health (2026 edition) ·
Race Type: National Hunt steeplechase ·
Approx. Distance: 4 miles 2½ furlongs (6.9 km)

Five key facts, one pattern: every Grand National date is set by The Jockey Club and confirmed months before the race.

When is the Grand National?

The 2027 Grand National Festival runs from Thursday 8 April to Saturday 10 April 2027 at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool. Grand National Day itself is Saturday 10 April, with gates opening at 10:00 AM BST and the first race at 12:45 PM. The main event – the Randox Grand National Handicap Steeple Chase – is scheduled for 4:00 PM BST, according to The Jockey Club (official racecourse operator).

For comparison, the 2026 Grand National took place on Saturday 11 April 2026, also at Aintree, with a similar three-day schedule. The race is always held on a Saturday in early to mid-April, making it easy to plan around.

The implication: you can book travel and accommodation months ahead once the dates are confirmed – typically by the previous summer. The Jockey Club publishes the festival schedule a year in advance, so there’s no excuse for missing it.

What date is the Irish Grand National running?

The Irish Grand National is a separate event run at Fairyhouse Racecourse in County Meath. Traditionally held on Easter Monday, the exact date varies each year and is set by Horse Racing Ireland. For 2027, the date had not been confirmed as of early 2026, but it typically falls within the first half of April.

• The Irish Grand National is a Grade A handicap steeplechase over about 3 miles 5 furlongs.
• The 2026 running was on Monday 20 April (Easter Monday).
• Final confirmation comes from Horse Racing Ireland (national governing body).

The trade-off: while the English Grand National dominates international attention, the Irish version offers a different betting market and often attracts a strong Irish-trained field. If you’re following both, check the HRI calendar as early as February.

Who is favorite for the Grand National?

Betting odds for the Grand National change constantly up to race day, influenced by declarations, form guides, and market sentiment. There is no single permanent favourite. Official betting market lists are maintained by bookmakers and aggregated by Racing Post (leading horse racing publication).

How to find the current favorite

Check Racing Post’s Grand National odds page or any major bookmaker’s website. Lists update as horses are declared (final declarations come two days before the race) and as money comes in. A week out, the favourite often changes several times.

What horse should I pick for the Grand National?

No horse is guaranteed to win. The safest approach is to study recent form, weight, and trainer records – but even experts get it wrong. Racing Post provides a betting guide with analysis from industry tipsters. For new bettors, consider each-way bets on horses with top weight or proven stamina.

What this means: the favourite’s historical win rate gives bettors a reference point, but each race is unique.

How many horses are in the 2026 Grand National?

By standard rule, the Grand National has a maximum field of 40 runners. The 2026 race had 40 scheduled runners, as confirmed by The Jockey Club. Final declarations are published two days before the race, so the exact number can drop if horses are withdrawn due to injury, ground conditions, or other factors.

For 2027, the same maximum applies. The first list of entries typically appears a month before the race, with final runners confirmed on the Thursday of the festival week. For the most accurate count, check the Racing Post or Jockey Club website on the morning of Grand National Day.

The pattern: the 40-runner limit is a safety measure, and the race rarely goes off with fewer than 38 horses.

Do jockeys get paid if they don’t win?

Yes, jockeys receive a riding fee regardless of finishing position. In British National Hunt racing, fees are set by the Professional Jockeys Association and paid by the owner or trainer. Additional prize money is awarded to the top five placed horses, with the winning jockey receiving a larger share, but a rider still earns a base fee for every race they compete in.

• Riding fee per race: typically £100–£200 for a National Hunt ride.
• Prize money for winning the 2026 Grand National was £500,000 to the owner, with a percentage shared with the jockey and trainer.
• Jockeys also receive appearance fees and travel expenses.

Why this matters: even if the favourite falls at the first fence, the jockey isn’t left empty-handed – but the big payday is in the prize pot for the winner.

Timeline: Grand National 2027

Here’s the confirmed schedule from The Jockey Club (official schedule):

• 6–9 April 2027 – Grand National Festival (three days of racing: Thursday to Saturday)
• 10 April 2027 – Grand National Day, main race at 4:00 PM BST
• Early April 2027 – Irish Grand National (exact date TBC by Horse Racing Ireland)
• Two days before race – Final declarations and runners confirmed

The implication: book your leave for the Thursday and Friday if you plan to attend all three days. The main race is Saturday, but the supporting races on Thursday and Friday are excellent events in their own right.

What the experts say

“The Grand National Festival 2027 runs from Thursday 8 April to Saturday 10 April, with the main Randox Grand National Handicap Steeple Chase at 4.00pm on Saturday.”

– The Jockey Club (official racecourse operator)

“Odds and market movements can be followed live on Racing Post, with the official betting market updated right up to the race start.”

– Racing Post (leading horse racing publication)

For casual bettors checking the date, the key takeaway is clear: mark Saturday, 10 April 2027 for the main race, and always confirm with The Jockey Club for any late changes. If you’re interested in the Irish version, watch the Horse Racing Ireland calendar from February onward. The Grand National may be one race, but its timing affects travel, betting, and viewing plans for millions – and a little preparation goes a long way.

For a detailed breakdown of the 2027 Grand National date and schedule, including race times and favourite runners, see the 2027 Grand National date and schedule guide.

Frequently asked questions

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