The 2026 Grand National returns to the historic Aintree Racecourse from April 9 to April 11. This iconic three-day horse racing festival is the highlight of the steeplechase calendar, featuring world-class horses and jockeys.
During the event, a field of 34 elite runners will tackle 30 formidable fences over a grueling four-mile course. Because the total prize fund reaches £1 million, the stakes are incredibly high for every participant involved.
To catch the action, fans can watch the Grand National in Ireland for free on Virgin Media One via Virgin Media Play. Additionally, viewers can tune in to ITV1 via ITVX.
However, since ITV geo-restricts its platform to the UK, you must use a VPN to bypass these regional blocks.
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When & Where Is the Grand National 2026 Happening?
- Date: Saturday, April 11, 2026
- Time: 4:00 PM (IST)
- Location: Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool, Merseyside, England
- Prize Fund: £1,000,000 total (the winner typically receives approximately £500,000)
- Broadcast: Virgin Media Play (Virgin Media One) and ITVX (ITV 1)
How to Watch The Grand National in Ireland for Free
Virgin Media Play will stream The Grand National live in Ireland. This is part of Virgin Media Television’s free‑to‑air horse racing coverage. The Grand National 2026 will air on Virgin Media One and stream through Virgin Media Play.
Here’s how to watch The Grand National in Ireland for free:
Step 1: Go to Virgin Media Play‘s website and log in if you already have an account. Or else, click Register.
Step 2: Add personal details and select preferred category (e.g., sports, shows & more)
Step 3: Check your inbox for a verification code and enter it on the site.
Step 4: Click Return to Home
Step 5: Once redirected to Home, click on Live
Step 6: Select the Virgin Media One’s live broadcast to watch The Grand National on April 9!
How to Watch The Grand National in Ireland on Phone
You can also watch The Grand National Festival 2026 live and for free on ITVX. ITV Racing will broadcast extensive live coverage of all three days.
On Grand National Day (Saturday, April 11), coverage typically starts at 12:45 PM IST, with the main race at 4:00 PM IST.
Because Google Play Store Ireland restricts the official ITVX app, I recommend using a mobile browser to watch ITVX on Android phones in Ireland.
Here’s how to watch the Grand National in Ireland on mobile phone:
Step 1: Install Surfshark VPN App and connect to the UK Server
Step 2: Go to the ITVX website on your phone browser and click on the profile icon
Step 3: Sign in with your email if you already have an account, or register to create a new one
Step 4: Enter your password to sign in
Step 5:Â Search and select The Grand National
Step 6: Enjoy watching once the festival is live!
Schedule for The Grand National Horse Racing 2026
Here’s a schedule for the upcoming Grand National racing in 2026:
| Date | Race | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, April 9 | The Manifesto Novices’ Steeple Chase | 1:45 PM |
| Thursday, April 9 | The Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle | 2:20 PM |
| Thursday, April 9 | The Aintree Bowl Steeple Chase | 2:55 PM |
| Thursday, April 9 | The William Hill Aintree Hurdle | 3:30 PM |
| Thursday, April 9 | The Randox Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Steeple Chase | 4:05 PM |
| Thursday, April 9 | The Red Rum Handicap Steeple Chase | 4:40 PM |
| Thursday, April 9 | The Nickel Coin Mares’ National Hunt Flat Race | 5:15 PM |
| Friday, April 10 | The Mildmay Novices’ Steeple Chase | 1:45 PM |
| Friday, April 10 | The William Hill Handicap Hurdle | 2:20 PM |
| Friday, April 10 | The Top Novices’ Hurdle | 2:55 PM |
| Friday, April 10 | The Melling Steeple Chase | 3:30 PM |
| Friday, April 10 | The Randox Topham Handicap Steeple Chase | 4:05 PM |
| Friday, April 10 | The Sefton Novices’ Hurdle | 4:40 PM |
| Friday, April 10 | The Lydiate Handicap Hurdle | 5:15 PM |
| Saturday, April 11 | The Maghull Novices’ Steeple Chase | 12:45 PM |
| Saturday, April 11 | The William Hill Handicap Hurdle | 1:20 PM |
| Saturday, April 11 | The Mersey Novices’ Hurdle | 1:55 PM |
| Saturday, April 11 | The William Hill Handicap Steeple Chase | 2:30 PM |
| Saturday, April 11 | The Liverpool Hurdle | 3:05 PM |
| Saturday, April 11 | The Randox Grand National Steeple Chase | 4:00 PM |
| Saturday, April 11 | The Weatherbys Standard Open NH Flat Race | 5:00 PM |
Grand National 2026: Official Weights (Top Entries)
| Horse | Age | Weight (st-lb) | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|
| I Am Maximus (FR) | 10 | 11-12 | Willie Mullins (IRE) |
| Nick Rockett (IRE) | 9 | 11-11 | Willie Mullins (IRE) |
| Banbridge (IRE) | 10 | 11-11 | Joseph O'Brien (IRE) |
| Grangeclare West (IRE) | 10 | 11-10 | Willie Mullins (IRE) |
| Gerri Colombe (FR) | 10 | 11-10 | Gordon Elliott (IRE) |
| Haiti Couleurs (FR) | 9 | 11-10 | Rebecca Curtis |
| Spillane's Tower (IRE) | 8 | 11-8 | Jimmy Mangan (IRE) |
| L'Homme Presse (FR) | 11 | 11-8 | Venetia Williams |
| Firefox (IRE) | 8 | 11-4 | Gordon Elliott (IRE) |
| Monty's Star (IRE) | 9 | 11-3 | Henry de Bromhead (IRE) |
| Spanish Harlem (FR) | 8 | 11-3 | Willie Mullins (IRE) |
| Lecky Watson (IRE) | 8 | 11-2 | Willie Mullins (IRE) |
| Champ Kiely (IRE) | 10 | 11-1 | Willie Mullins (IRE) |
| Iroko (FR) | 8 | 11-1 | Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero |
| Favori De Champdou (FR) | 11 | 11-1 | Gordon Elliott (IRE) |
| Three Card Brag (IRE) | 9 | 11-0 | Gordon Elliott (IRE) |
| Oscars Brother (IRE) | 8 | 10-13 | Connor King (IRE) |
| Mr Vango (IRE) | 10 | 10-12 | Sara Bradstock |
| High Class Hero (GB) | 9 | 10-11 | Willie Mullins (IRE) |
| Stellar Story (IRE) | 9 | 10-11 | Gordon Elliott (IRE) |
| Beauport (IRE) | 10 | 10-11 | Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies |
| French Dynamite (FR) | 11 | 10-10 | Eric McNamara (IRE) |
| Captain Cody (IRE) | 8 | 10-10 | Willie Mullins (IRE) |
| Jagwar (FR) | 7 | 10-10 | Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero |
| Perceval Legallois (FR) | 9 | 10-9 | Gavin Cromwell (IRE) |
| Gorgeous Tom (IRE) | 8 | 10-9 | Henry de Bromhead (IRE) |
To check all the weights for the remaining entries for the Grand National at Aintree on 11 April, click here.
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