As part of an exciting new initiative from the British Horseracing Authority, ITV Racing, and Entain, to create an unmissable four-day Christmas racing programme, the Coral Welsh Grand National will now take place on Bank Holiday Monday 28 December 2026.
The BHA has confirmed a number of changes to the 2026 Christmas fixture schedule to deliver four consecutive days of ITV racing coverage from 26 December to 29 December, making more effective use of the Premier jump meetings staged during this period.
The ambition is to create a clearer, stronger and more marketable Christmas racing proposition for fans, racegoers, participants and viewers at home. The new schedule will see the Ladbrokes Christmas Festival at Kempton Park retain its established 26 and 27 December dates, headlined by the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase on Boxing Day. The Ladbrokes Kauto Star Chase moves to the 27 December, with the Coral Welsh Grand National at Chepstow becoming the feature event on 28 December and the Coral Challow Hurdle at Newbury on the 29 December.
By spreading the existing programme across four consecutive days, the new programme removes the current clash between Kempton and Chepstow on 27 December, enabling jockeys, trainers, owners, media and racing fans to give greater focus to each of the major meetings in turn.
All existing ticket holders and hospitality bookers of the Coral Welsh Grand National 2026 will be contacted directly with everything they need to know regarding their booking following this date change.
We can't wait to welcome you to Chepstow on Monday 28 December 2026 for another unforgettable Coral Welsh Grand National!
