When is the Grand National? 2027 Date, Time, Favourites & More

Anyone who’s ever gathered around the television on a spring Saturday knows the Grand National is more than just a horse race—it’s a national institution. But pinning down the exact date, especially when the Irish Grand National falls just a week or two away, takes a bit of digging, so this guide clears up the 2027 date, start time, favourites, and how the Aintree showpiece compares with its Irish counterpart.

Next Grand National: 10 April 2027 (Aintree) ·
2026 Grand National: 11 April 2026 (Aintree) ·
Location: Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool ·
Race Distance: 4 miles 2½ furlongs ·
Number of Fences: 30

Here are the key facts about the Grand National.

What time does the Grand National start?

Grand National 2027 date and time

• The 2027 Grand National is scheduled for Saturday, 10 April 2027, with gates opening at 10:00 AM and the main race off at 4:00 PM BST, according to The Jockey Club (official race organiser).
• The three-day Aintree Festival kicks off on Thursday 8 April 2027 (Opening Day) and continues with Ladies Day on Friday 9 April 2027 (same schedule).

Grand National 2026 date and time

• The 2026 Randox Grand National took place on Saturday, 11 April 2026, also starting at 4:00 PM BST (The Jockey Club).
• Note that a conflicting source – Outside (event date aggregator) – lists 3 April 2027 for the Grand National. The Jockey Club’s official schedule confirms 10 April 2027, making the earlier date likely an error.

The consistent 4:00 PM start time makes planning straightforward for viewers and attendees.

Who is favourite for Grand National?

Current favourite for 2026

The favourite for the 2026 Grand National is determined by bookmakers’ odds in the weeks leading up to the race. As of early 2026, no single horse has emerged as clear market leader, but major bookmakers such as Paddy Power and Betfred publish daily updates (The Jockey Club race information).

History of Grand National favourites

• Past favourites have often not won – only one favourite has crossed the line first since 2010 (The Jockey Club historical records).
• In 2024, the favourite Corach Rambler finished 8th, illustrating the race’s unpredictability (Wikipedia (racing encyclopaedia)).

The implication: punters who avoid the favourite may find better value.

Where and when is the Irish Grand National?

Irish Grand National 2026 date

• The Irish Grand National is held at Fairyhouse Racecourse in County Meath, Ireland (Fairyhouse Racecourse (official venue)).
• It usually takes place on Easter Monday, which in 2026 falls on 6 April – five days before the English Grand National. However, the exact 2026 date has not yet been confirmed by the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board.

Irish Grand National location

• Fairyhouse is about 30 km north-west of Dublin, with regular race-day buses from the city centre (Fairyhouse travel information).
• The race distance is 3 miles 5 furlongs, slightly shorter than its Aintree counterpart.

The pattern: a double-header opportunity for dedicated racegoers.

Is the Grand National on Telly?

TV broadcasters for UK and Ireland

• ITV broadcasts the Grand National live in the UK (ITV Racing (free-to-air broadcaster)).
• RTE provides coverage in Ireland (RTE Sport (public service broadcaster)).

Live streaming options

• Streaming is available via ITVX (ITVX streaming platform), Racing TV (Racing TV (specialist racing subscription service)), and selected betting sites that offer live video to account holders.
• The Jockey Club’s official schedule confirms ITV as the broadcast partner (The Jockey Club schedule).

What this means: viewers can choose free-to-air or subscription options.

What are the best horses for the Grand National?

Top contenders for 2026

Lydia Hislop’s horse-by-horse guide for the 2026 Randox Grand National provides detailed analysis of each runner, including form, weight, and odds (Racing Post (racing authority)). Leading contenders will emerge after the weights are published in February 2026.

Expert predictions and tips

• No single horse is guaranteed to win; the race is known for upsets – only two favourites have won since 2000 (Wikipedia).
• Each-way bets on horses carrying lighter weights (10 stone 5 lb or less) often offer better value (The Jockey Club race details).

The catch: a horse with strong stamina record may outperform flashier rivals.

Timeline

• 11 April 2026 – 2026 Randox Grand National (confirmed by The Jockey Club)
• 10 April 2027 – 2027 Randox Grand National (confirmed by The Jockey Club)

The pattern of early April Saturdays is consistent across both years.

What we know and what remains uncertain

Confirmed facts

• 2027 Grand National date: 10 April 2027 (The Jockey Club)
• 2026 Grand National date: 11 April 2026 (The Jockey Club)
• Location: Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool (The Jockey Club (Aintree venue))
• Distance: 4 miles 2½ furlongs (The Jockey Club)
• Prize fund: £1 million (2026) (The Jockey Club race details)

What’s unclear

• Exact favourite for 2026 Grand National – odds change daily
• Irish Grand National 2026 exact date – typically early April but not yet announced
• Which horses will line up in 2027 – declarations come only days before
• Number of fences – 30 is standard but sometimes adjusted
• Prize fund for 2027 not yet announced

Quotes from the racing world

“The Randox Grand National is the world’s greatest steeplechase.”

– The Jockey Club (official organisers)

The Jockey Club event schedule confirms the 2027 Grand National is scheduled for 10 April.

The implication: any conflicting dates should be discounted in favour of the official organiser.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading

• When Is the Next Budget in Ireland? 2026 Date and Details
• England v Scotland Rugby 2025: Date, TV, Tickets & Preview

For anyone planning their 2027 spring calendar, the choice between the English Grand National on 10 April and the Irish version (likely late March or early April) is a genuine trade-off. The Aintree spectacle offers the larger prize and global audience; Fairyhouse gives a more intimate, tradition-soaked day out. For punters, the date gap means two separate betting opportunities – and two chances to see the favourite stumble. The smart move: mark both dates, watch the weights, and consider an each-way flutter on a 33/1 shot.