If you want to be witness to the race “the world stops to watch”, you need to sort your Grand National tickets sooner rather than later as many enclosures are already sold out for Grand National Day (Saturday 11 April).
We’ve rounded up all your ticket options for whole The Randox Grand National Festival and given a brief description of the views and access areas to help you decide which is the right option for you. If you opt for an area with reserved seating, it’s best to book at the same time as your party to avoid being sat apart. Some enclosures are limited to six tickets per buyer, while others offer group discounts, depending on the nature of the area.
Grand National tickets
There are lots of ticket options for the Grand National and the price varies with each enclosure depending on their access to different areas of Aintree Racecourse. I’ve listed the options below in ascending order of starting price. The starting prices are usually correct for the Opening Day of the festival (Thursday 9 April), and these increase for Ladies’ Day (Friday 10 April) and again for Grand National Day (Saturday 11 April).
When choosing your enclosure, aside from price, consider what your priorities are on the day – do you want easy access to the parade ring, a view of the finish, a reserved covered seat or do you want to soak in the atmosphere and enjoy a range of live entertainment?
Due to the size of the racecourse, viewing options will vary with choice of enclosure.
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Festival Zone
Although you won’t have full access to the racecourse with this ticket, you will be able to enjoy live music and entertainment, plenty of food and drink options, and the opportunity to see horses around the Aintree parade ring.
The Embankment offers a view of the first fences of the Grand National course, plus access to bars and catering facilities, big screen viewing, live entertainment, betting facilities and unreserved seating.
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There is no access to the parade ring side of the racecourse with these tickets and they are only available on Grand National day. Embankment tickets can be purchased at a discounted rate for groups of 10 or more.
This enclosure is located with views over the parade ring, winners’ enclosure and the course, with access to live entertainment in both the Red Rum Garden and Aintree Pavilion. You’ll also have easy access to Tote betting facilities and big screens.
This enclosure offers views over the parade ring, winners’ enclosure and the course. The outdoor terrace area next to the horsewalk and you’ll be in close proximity to the wash-down area and have trackside viewing. You can also access to live entertainment in the Red Rum Garden and Aintree Pavilion.
These seats are located alongside the home straight and close to the final fences on the course. You will have access to a reserved, covered seat, private bar and toilets, as well the facilities in Festival Zone, which includes the Rum & Ginger bar, betting facilities and big screens.
Easy access to the parade ring is a draw for those who want to see the runners before the race and watch the jockeys mount.
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Lord Daresbury Roof
For a birds-eye view directly above the finishing post, with a vantage point over the course, this area offers an outdoor balcony area, access to the parade ring and winners’ enclosure, and live entertainment in the Red Rum Garden and Aintree Pavilion.
This standing area is partially covered and has a dedicated bar in the Tommy Wallis Suite, which has a view of the final closing moments of every race. There is also viewing access to the parade ring and winners’ enclosure. You’ll have access to live music in the Aintree Pavilion throughout the day, with an act after the racing.
The Garden Club offers a unique experience in a private first floor bar with views of the parade ring – it is not course facing. There is live entertainment, betting facilities and big screen viewing. Garden Club ticket holders also have access to the Festival Zone.
These partially covered seats give you a direct view of the finishing post and a great view of the course. It is well located for the parade ring and winners’ enclosure, with access to live entertainment in both the Red Rum Garden and Aintree Pavilion. This enclosure has a dedicated bar, and your ticket includes a complimentary racecard voucher and street food voucher.
With this ticket you’ll get a dedicated seat in an uncovered area with access to the Upper Saddle Bar. It’s the highest vantage point you can view the racing from. You’ll also have viewing access of the Parade Ring and Winners’ Enclosure, plus access to the Red Rum Garden and Aintree Pavilion.
These tickets give you a dedicated seat in an outdoor area next to the horsewalk and in close proximity to the wash down area and the course. You’ll also have access to the partially covered private Saddle Bar, which overlooks the parade ring and winners’ enclosure, and access to the Red Rum Garden and Aintree Pavilion.
For some, a view of the finishing post is most important when selecting a ticket.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Queen Mother Seats
Here you will be well-located for a direct view of the finishing post with excellent vantage points over the course. You’ll be able to enjoy a dedicated bar in an uncovered area with access to the parade ring, winners’ enclosure and live music in the Aintree Pavilion throughout the day. Your ticket includes a complimentary racecard voucher and street food voucher.
In this over-21s area, you will get a reserved seat with good views of the course. You will be close to the finishing post and have access of the parade ring, winners’ enclosure and the Red Rum Garden.
These covered seats offer a birds-eye view directly above the finishing post. You’ll have exclusive access to the private bar, dedicated betting and toilet facilities, and access to the parade ring, winners’ enclosure, Red Rum Garden and Aintree Pavilion. This ticket also includes complimentary race card.
There are a range of hospitality experiences on offer, ranging from restaurant packages to private boxes. These vary in price depending upon race day and the size of your party, but they start at £385 per person and include an admission ticket and food and drink refreshments throughout the day. They also include a complimentary racecard, and usually a number of car passes dependent on your party size.
Georgia is Horse & Hound’s deputy website editor and equestrian products expert. She curates content across the website with a particular focus on upcoming equestrian events horse care and buying advice. She also manages all the ecommerce opportunities that allow us to give you easy access to the best products at the lowest prices via our buying guides. Georgia has first-hand knowledge of all the equestrian brands and their ever-evolving product lines, having been working with them closely since she started in equestrian media in 2015.
