GWR Adds 55,000 Extra Seats for Cheltenham Festival Racegoers

Great Western Railway is preparing for a surge in passengers during this year’s Cheltenham Festival, with plans to carry up to 55,000 additional racegoers over the four-day event.

The festival will run from Tuesday 10 to Friday 13 March 2026, with gates opening at 10:30 each day. The first race is scheduled for 13:20 and the final race will take place at 17:20.

To help fans reach the event, GWR will operate 20 trains arriving at Cheltenham Spa before the first race begins. These services will provide more than 8,000 seats for passengers travelling from London, Bristol and Worcester.

Five direct services from London Paddington will run after 07:00, offering early connections for those travelling from the capital:

• 0731, arriving 0931
• 0800, arriving 1003
• 0832, arriving 1031
• 0900, arriving 1054
• 0932, arriving 1131

After the final race each day, GWR will operate 22 departures from Cheltenham Spa from 17:00 onwards, offering more than 8,500 seats for the journey home. Strengthened trains and extra services will provide 5,525 seats towards London, alongside additional capacity for passengers travelling to Worcester and Bristol.

Station staff will introduce a queuing system at Cheltenham Spa to help manage the large crowds expected throughout the festival. The system will assist passengers boarding shuttle buses to the racecourse as well as those returning home by train, particularly during the busiest evening periods between 18:00 and 20:00.

Chloe Coglan, Cheltenham Spa Station Manager, said:

“We're delighted to welcome racegoers back for another fantastic festival. With thousands of extra seats and 42 GWR trains, as well as those provided by our colleagues at CrossCountry, we're ready to get people there and back safely. Please do buy your connecting bus ticket before you arrive, allow extra time for the return journey, and check your last train home, especially if you're travelling from further afield.”

Image: Great Western Railway