Grand National 2026: pick a horse and join us for the big race at Greene King
Do you love the excitement of the Grand National? For horse racing aficionados, it’s one of the biggest races in the calendar. For many others, it’s a once-a-year bet and the chance to have a punt on a horse with a name that tickles their fancy, or a jockey with your favourite colour silk. There are work sweepstakes, family outings to the pub to watch it and embraces with friends when you pick the winner. Oh, what a day Grand National day is!
And the big question is, where are you watching the Randox Grand National 2026? As the horses thunder down the racecourse, our Greene King pubs are ready and waiting! Whether you're dressed to the nines for Ladies Day, you're celebrating the winner after 30 fences of horse racing glory, or you're dressed up like a jockey after losing odds to your mate, we’ve got live sports, great food and a lively atmosphere that’s perfect for race day.
All about the 2024 Grand National
The 2026 Grand National will be the 178th running of the race, which has been held annually since 1839 – aside from during the First and Second World Wars. As usual, it will be held at Aintree Racecourse, which is the venue for the Grand National Festival, with multiple races run over three days of racing action. This year’s Grand National Weekend runs from the 9th to the 11th of April.
Thursday 9th April
The weekend itself kicks off on Thursday, the 9th, with Opening Day. Races include the Aintree Bowl Steeple Chase, the Aintree Hurdle and the Red Rum Handicap Steeple Chase.
Friday 10th April
Friday is Randox Ladies Day – so get your outfit sorted, whether you’re at Aintree Racecourse or watching in one of our pubs. Races on the Friday include the Handicap Hurdle, the Melling Chase and the Novices’ Steeple Chase.
Saturday 11th April
Saturday is Grand National Day, with a total of seven races run and horses taking to the track for the Grand National 2026 at 4pm.
The entire Grand National Weekend 2026 will be broadcast live on ITV. And we’ll be showing horse racing live in our Greene King sports pubs, so save the date!
Previous Randox Grand National race winners
There’s been some famous Grand National horse race winners down the years, and none more so than Red Rum. The Irish champion thoroughbred steeplechaser won the National three times in 1973, 1974 and 1977, as well as coming second in 1975 and 1976.In more recent times, we’ve had another horse equal Red Rum’s record of winning two Grand Nationals in a row, as Tiger Roll came first in 2018 and 2019. Currently, they’re the only two horses to win back-to-back Grand Nationals.
The last few years have thrown up some fantastic stories, too. In 2022, we saw Sam Waley-Cohen ride 50-1 Noble Yeats to the title in his last ever race as a jockey. While 2023’s race saw the 8-1 favourite Coach Rambler triumph, in turn crowning Cameron Sword the youngest ever winning owner at just 21 years old.
In 2025, firm favourite I Am Maximus just missed out on a repeat of his 2024 position, taking the second-place prize as Nick Rockett galloped to victory.
Who will you pick this year? Will you choose a favourite or go for an outsider? Or do you just enjoy the spectacle of watching the world’s most famous race?
Fun facts about the Grand National
- The modern Grand National is run by 40 horses, but in 1929, an incredible 66 horses and jockeys took to the steeplechase!
- The 15th fence, 'The Chair', is the highest fence in the Grand National at an astonishing 160cm high!
- The fastest horse to ever run the Grand National was Mr Frisk, who finished with a time of 8:47.8 in 1990 – the only time that the Grand National has been finished in under nine minutes!
- The home straight at Aintree Racecourse is the longest in the UK at a staggering 514 yards.
Watch the Grand National 2026 at a Greene King sports pub
At our Greene King pubs, we’ll be showing the Grand National live as well as the rest of the races across the Grand National weekend. You’ll find our big Sky Sports, TNT Sports and ITV Racing screens beaming the best of the action into the pub, as well as multiple screens throughout our pubs – you won’t miss anything when the big race starts.
Grand National hospitality at a sports pub near you
If you've missed out on Grand National tickets, come down with your friends and family and enjoy the unique atmosphere at our Greene King sports pubs. There might not be a best dressed prize, but we've certainly got the next best thing! Just grab a seat for the main event with the best view of the runners and check out the event schedule to make sure you're sitting pretty for the start of the race.
Feeling as thirsty as a horse?
Our bars are always well stocked with the best beers, wines and spirits, as well as lots of alcohol-free drinks. No matter if you're celebrating, commiserating, or you're just here for a good time, we've got a wide range of drinks that are chilled, fresh and poured to perfection.
View our beersFuel up to go the distance
Our menu always rises to the occasion! You can enjoy a hearty meal with our delicious pub classics and wide range of food, sure to get you warmed up for the race or to celebrate a big win afterwards. Odds on a plate of fish & chips, anyone?
View our food menuFind sports pubs showing the Grand National 2026
t’s easy to find a Greene King pub showing the Grand National near you using our handy pub finder. And don’t forget to download our Greene King App to make finding a pub, booking your table and ordering a round a breeze.
Find a sports pub near you