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Cheltenham Village Today
By the People, for the People
Cheltenham Racecourse Closes for Rest of Season to Fix Drainage Issues
The iconic National Hunt venue will remain closed until the fall to address long-standing home straight problems.
Mar. 30, 2026 at 3:34pm
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Cheltenham's iconic racecourse will undergo major drainage renovations, forcing the closure of the historic venue for the rest of the season.Cheltenham Village TodayCheltenham Racecourse, the renowned home of National Hunt racing in the UK, has announced it will not host any more fixtures this season as it undertakes major drainage improvements on its home straight. The decision comes after several dry summers that have exacerbated long-standing issues with the course's drainage system.
Why it matters
Cheltenham is one of the most important and prestigious racecourses in the world, hosting the famous Cheltenham Festival each March. Closing the course for the remainder of the season will have a significant impact on the British racing calendar and deprive fans of the chance to attend races at the iconic venue.
The details
Cheltenham officials stated that while drainage work is typically carried out at the end of each season, the scale of this project and the impact of the last two dry summers have prompted them to accelerate the timeline. The home straight, which is a critical part of the course, will be the focus of the drainage upgrades.
- Cheltenham Racecourse will remain closed for the rest of the 2025-26 jumps season.
- The course is expected to reopen in the fall of 2026 after the drainage work is completed.
The players
Cheltenham Racecourse
The iconic National Hunt racing venue that hosts the annual Cheltenham Festival, one of the most prestigious events in the sport.
What’s next
Cheltenham officials have not provided an exact timeline for the completion of the drainage project, but have stated the course will reopen in time for the start of the 2026-27 jumps season.
The takeaway
The closure of Cheltenham Racecourse for the remainder of the season is a significant disruption to the British racing calendar, but the long-term benefits of addressing the course's drainage issues will ensure the iconic venue can continue hosting top-level National Hunt events for years to come.
