When is the 2026 Grand National?

[BBC] The Grand National is one of the world's most famous horse races, featuring jockeys and horses negotiating 30 fences over four-and-a-half miles. The race, which is watched by an estimated 600 million people worldwide, takes place on Saturday, 11 April. Over 150,000 people will descend on Aintree Racecourse outside Liverpool for the three-day meet, where more than 20 different races will take place.

In the biggest race - the Grand National - horses have to complete two laps of the course. The Grand National dates back to 1839 and has been held annually since. It did not taking place during World War One and World War Two, in 1993 due to a series of false starts, and 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Nick Rockett, a 33-1 shot ridden by jockey Patrick Mullins, won the 2025 Grand National. How many horses run in the Grand National? Nick Rockett won the 2025 Grand National [Getty Images] A total of 34 horses will run in the 2026 Grand National after the field was reduced to 40 runners in 2024 as part of measures designed to improve safety.

In early February, a longlist of 78 potential Grand National runners was announced and this is whittled down to the final 34 on 8 April, just 72 hours before the race. There are also six reserves named should any horse pull out of the race. The 2024 winner I Am Maximus has the top weight - meaning the horse carrying the heaviest weight in a handicap race - at 11st 12lbs.