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Three days, one great race
Thursday 8 April
Opening Day
The Foxhunters’ Chase, run over the Grand National fences
Friday 9 April
Ladies Day
Aintree’s fashion day, with the Topham Chase over the National fences
Saturday 10 April
Grand National Day
The Grand National, at about 4pm
What time is the Grand National?
The official 2027 schedule gives a 4pm start for the Grand National on Saturday 10 April. The Festival runs from Thursday 8 to Saturday 10 April 2027; check the official schedule again before travelling, as timings can change.
Source: Official race schedule — checked 14 October 2026.
Ticket prices and when to buy
| Enclosure | From |
|---|---|
| Festival ZoneGeneral admission, live music | £34 |
| The EmbankmentSaturday only, by the first fences | £44 |
| Earl of Derby or Lord Sefton TerraceNext to the horsewalk | £59 |
| West Tip SeatsCovered seat by the home straight | £65 |
| Lord Daresbury or Princess Royal RoofAbove the finishing post | £69 |
| Garden ClubPrivate bar and balcony | £90 |
| Grandstand seatsQueen Mother, Earl of Derby and Lord Sefton | £100 |
| Princess Royal Seats or Platinum LoungeOver 21s, above the finish | £136 |
Starting prices from the racecourse’s enclosure guide, checked 30 September 2026. They are usually for Thursday; Friday costs more and Saturday most of all, and several Saturday enclosures sell out early.
- When to buy. Now. Tickets for 2027 are on sale, and many enclosures sell out for Grand National Day long before April. Buy direct from the racecourse or an official partner.
- Children. Children pay full price and need a ticket. Book them by phone (0344 579 3001) after buying adult tickets: two children per adult ticket, and no more than 200 child tickets a day.
- Bags. Nothing bigger than a small handbag (30 × 10 × 20 cm), and there is no left luggage.
- Food and drink. You can’t bring your own; picnics are allowed only in the car parks.
- Seats. Seating is limited and portable seats aren’t allowed, so buy a reserved seat if you want to sit.
Not sure which enclosure? Compare the enclosures, or estimate the cost of your trip.
Hospitality
Hospitality ranges from restaurant packages to private boxes with their own balconies; prices are on request from the racecourse (0151 522 2911).
| Package | From | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant packages | On request | Dining with views of the course, including Art School chef Paul Askew’s restaurant |
| Grandstand Boxes | On request | Private boxes, each with its own balcony |
| Pavilion Executive Boxes | On request | Private boxes for groups and business guests |
Travel and parking
Merseyrail
Trains every seven and a half minutes between Liverpool Central or Moorfields and Aintree, from about 11:00 to 13:00 and 16:30 to 20:30 on all three days.
Parking
All parking must be booked in advance. Car parks open at 6am. The Steeplechase car park’s course crossing closes for 30 minutes either side of each race over the National course.
Road closures
Roads around the course close during the festival; the racecourse publishes a road-closure map.
Helicopters
Air Charter Service is the Jockey Club’s helicopter partner for Aintree.
More on trains, walking routes and coming from Ireland: getting to Aintree.
Hotels and nights out
Liverpool hotels fill up and prices rise sharply for Grand National weekend, especially the Friday and Saturday nights. Book as early as you can, and check the cancellation terms.
After racing, most people head back into Liverpool on the train. See evenings in Liverpool for where to go. For hotels by area, see where to stay or read our Grand National hotels guide.
Find a hotel in Liverpool
Compare hotels across the city for your dates. Visit Liverpool, the city’s tourist board, also runs a free accommodation search.
Affiliate link: we may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.
More Aintree guides
Prices, dates and travel details were checked on 4 October 2026. The racecourse can change prices, times and arrangements, so check your booking page before you pay. This is an independent guide, not connected to Aintree Racecourse or The Jockey Club. Some links may earn us a small commission if you book, at no extra cost to you; this never decides what we recommend.