Grand National Day

Grand National Saturday Overview

The eyes of the racing world will turn to Aintree once again on Saturday 11th April 2026, when the Grand National takes centre stage for another year. As the third and final day of the iconic three-day festival, Grand National Saturday carries a sense of ceremony that no other race meeting quite matches. For many people, this is the one day of the year when they become fully-fledged racing fans, even if they haven’t watched a horse all season. It is a British institution, after all.

Aintree can expect its usual enormous crowd, with the atmosphere always electric by the time the field heads down to the start. While safety changes over the years mean the race now features a maximum of 34 runners, the sense of drama is still very much intact. It remains a race where anything can happen, and often does.

When Is the 2026 Grand National?

The 2026 Grand National takes place on Saturday 11th April, rounding off the festival in its traditional early-afternoon slot. The date follows two action-packed days at Aintree: Grand National Opening Day on 9th April and Grand National Ladies Day on 10th April. With Easter having fallen early that year, the race sits comfortably in mid-April, giving trainers a clear run from the Cheltenham Festival in March to fine-tune their runners.

Those planning to travel will want to book well in advance. Grand National Saturday is always one of the busiest sporting days of the year in Liverpool, with demand for both travel and accommodation reflecting the global pull of the race.

Why the Grand National Matters

There’s a reason the Grand National sits apart from every other jumps race. It is a test of endurance, bravery and stamina, where seasoned stayers take on fences known worldwide. Even people who couldn’t tell you the difference between a hurdle and a steeplechase will happily reel off Grand National winners from decades gone by. It’s a race with stories woven into British culture, from the unfancied longshots to the heroic comeback tales.

And although field sizes have been refined for safety, the sight of up to 34 runners lining up is still one of the great spectacles in sport. The sense of anticipation in the seconds before the start is unmistakable, as the packed stands fall briefly quiet before erupting again the moment the flag goes down.

How Many Runners Will Line Up in the 2026 Grand National?

As with recent renewals, the field will be capped at 34 runners, a number designed to improve safety while preserving the thrill of a large, competitive race. This means competition for a spot is intense, with trainers across the UK and Ireland aiming to secure a berth for their staying chasers. The final declarations will be made in the days leading up to the race, at which point the list of runners becomes official and the last pieces of the puzzle start falling into place.

Aintree regulars know the drill: once the field is confirmed, the debates begin. Who will handle the fences? Who stays all day? Who’s likely to fall at the first? And who is that 50-1 outsider that suddenly everyone in the pub seems to be talking about?

What Time Does the 2026 Grand National Start?

The Grand National is expected to run in its familiar late-afternoon slot, with the exact off time confirmed nearer the date. It traditionally anchors the entire meeting, meaning the earlier races on the Saturday card build up the anticipation before the runners finally head to the tape. Expect plenty of tension, plenty of noise, and plenty of nervous energy from both punters and trainers as the start time approaches.

What Makes Grand National Day Special?

There’s nothing quite like Aintree on Grand National Saturday. The course is packed long before the big race, and the mix of seasoned racegoers, families, once-a-year punters and visitors from overseas gives the day an unmistakable buzz. You’ll hear accents from every corner of Britain — and a fair few from Ireland — along with the usual mixture of optimism, nerves and questionable betting strategies.

The build-up is almost as thrilling as the race itself. Fashion is less of a feature than on Ladies Day, but there’s still no shortage of sharply dressed punters, colourful characters and the odd outlandish outfit. By the time the horses head to the start, the entire racecourse seems to hold its breath as decades of tradition culminate in a few unforgettable minutes.

Why Attend the 2026 Grand National?

Put simply, it’s bucket-list stuff. The Grand National is a race that has defined British sport for generations, and being there in person is very different from watching at home. The scale, the atmosphere, the raw sound of 34 horses thundering past — it’s a sporting event that leaves an impression long after the stands have emptied. Whether you’re backing a favourite or taking a chance on a rank outsider, it’s impossible not to get swept up in the excitement.

The 2026 renewal promises the same combination of spectacle, emotion and unpredictability that has made the race famous worldwide. And whether your chosen horse wins, places or pulls up after one fence, the experience of Grand National Saturday is one that fans rarely forget.