Entain Launches The Festive Four Racing Programme
Entain has led a collaboration across British racing to launch The Festive Four, a new four-day jump racing programme running from Boxing Day to December 29, 2026.
The group published details on November 6, 2026, saying each day will feature a major race and be shown live on ITV, which it describes as a first for the festive fixtures.
The idea is to spread the biggest Christmas meetings over four consecutive days so each gets its own spotlight. For anyone planning festive betting, our horse racing betting sites guide covers the bookmakers that price these meetings.
The Four Days And Feature Races
As set out in the Entain announcement, the programme brings together Premier jump meetings at Kempton Park, Chepstow and Newbury.
The Ladbrokes Christmas Festival at Kempton Park keeps its traditional December 26 and 27 dates. Boxing Day is headlined by the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase, and the Ladbrokes Kauto Star Chase takes centre stage on December 27.
The action moves to Wales on December 28 for the Coral Welsh Grand National at Chepstow. Newbury completes the run on December 29 with the Coral Challow Hurdle as the headline race.
The Festive Four will also crown its own leading jockey and leading trainer, with trophies for the top performers across the four days. Entain says this adds a further storyline for racing fans to follow from one meeting to the next.
Tickets And Partners
Racegoers can buy a Festive Four Pass for £64, which covers all four days. It went on sale on November 5 and is available until December 15 through the programme website and each partner racecourse site.
Members of Kempton, Chepstow and Newbury get free admission to all four days, and eligible members will be contacted with details.
The Festive Four is a collaboration between Entain, The Jockey Club, Arena Racing Company, Newbury Racecourse, Racecourse Media Group, the British Horseracing Authority, ITV Racing and Great British Racing. Entain owns betting sites Ladbrokes and Coral, the sponsors of the feature races.
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What The Partners Say
Simon Clare of Entain said Christmas racing is already one of the most important periods of the jump season, and that spreading the fixtures over four days gives fans a major occasion each day and a chance to show the sport to a wider audience. Kempton Park general manager Simon Durrant said the programme builds on the heritage of the track's Christmas meetings.
Chepstow executive director Luke Admans called the Coral Welsh Grand National the jewel in the crown of Welsh racing and welcomed its prominent place in the schedule. Newbury chief executive Shaun Hinds said the Coral Challow Hurdle day has been growing and that the new programme adds to the anticipation. Champion Jump Trainer Dan Skelton called it a positive step that lets fans and professionals plan their festive racing.
Racegoers have until December 15 to buy the four-day pass, and further details for members will be sent directly by the racecourses.
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