Where To Watch The Grand National
3 minutes Here we've compiled a guide on where to watch the Grand National, ensuring you don’t miss a second of the drama.
The Grand National is one of the most anticipated horse racing events of the year, drawing between 500 and 600 million viewers from around the world. Whether you're tuning in to watch the action unfold on TV, streaming the race online, or planning to soak up the atmosphere at your local pub, there are plenty of ways to catch the world’s greatest steeplechase live. Here we've compiled a guide on where to watch the Grand National, ensuring you don’t miss a second of the drama.
This year’s race is scheduled to take place at Aintree Racecourse on Saturday 5th April. Since 2024, the Grand National has gotten underway at 16:00 instead of the old 17:15 start time, hoping that improved race conditions make the Grand National safer for participating horses.
The Grand National is classed as a ‘listed’ sporting event in the UK meaning live, televised coverage of the race remains free-to-air for all UK viewers. Since 2017, ITV has offered exclusive horse racing coverage in the UK all year round, including the Grand National. The 2025 Grand National will be available live on ITV1 and ITVX whilst most major online betting sites will offer a free live stream online.
The Grand National is the feature race of a three-day meeting at Aintree and below is a full summary of all races taking place at the iconic venue between the 3rd and 5th of April.
Thursday 3rd April - Opening Day
| Start Time | Race | Distance | Televised |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.45pm | The EBC Group Manifesto Novices’ Steeple Chase (Class 1) (Grade 1) | 2m 4f | ITV |
| 2.20pm | The Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle Race (Class 1) (Grade 1) | 2m 1f | ITV |
| 2.55pm | The Aintree Bowl Steeple Chase (Class 1) (Grade 1) (GBB Race) | 3m 1f | ITV |
| 3.30pm | The William Hill Aintree Hurdle Race (Class 1) (Grade 1) (GBB Race) | 2m 4f | ITV |
| 4.05pm | The Randox Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Steeple Chase (Class 2) | 2m 5f | ITV |
| 4.40pm | The Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Steeple Chase (Class 1) (Premier Handicap) | 2m | ITV |
| 5.15pm | The Goffs Nickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Class 1) (Grade 2) | 2m 1f |
Friday 4th April - Ladies Day
| Start Time | Race | Distance | Televised |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.45pm | The Huyton Asphalt Franny Blennerhassett Memorial Mildmay Novices’ Steeple Chase (Class 1) (Grade 1) | 3m 1f | ITV |
| 2.20pm | The William Hill Handicap Hurdle Race (Class 1) (Premier Handicap) | 2m 4f | ITV |
| 2.55pm | The Trustatrader Top Novices’ Hurdle Race (Class 1) (Grade 1) | 2m 1/2f | ITV |
| 3.30pm | The My Pension Expert Melling Steeple Chase (Class 1) (Grade 1) | 2m 4f | ITV |
| 4.05pm | The Randox Supporting Prostate Cancer UK Topham Handicap Steeple Chase (Class 1) (Premier Handicap) | 2m 5f | ITV |
| 4.40pm | The Sefton Novices’ Hurdle Race (Class 1) (Grade 1) | 3m 1/2f | ITV |
| 5.15pm | The Hallgarten And Novum Wines Handicap Hurdle Race (Class 2) (Conditional Jockeys’ And Amateur Riders’ Race) | 2m 1/2f |
Saturday 5th April - Randox Grand National Day
| Start Time | Race | Distance | Televised |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.20pm | The William Hill Top Price Guarantee Handicap Hurdle Race (Class 1) (Premier Handicap) | 3m 1/2f | ITV |
| 1.55pm | The Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle Race (Class 1) (Grade 1) | 2m 4f | ITV |
| 2.30pm | The William Hill Handicap Steeple Chase (Class 1) (Registered As The Freebooter Handicap Steeple Chase) (Premier Handicap) | 3m 1f | ITV |
| 3.05pm | The Liverpool Hurdle Race (Class 1) (Grade 1) | 3m 1/2f | ITV |
| 4.00pm | The Randox Grand National Handicap Steeple Chase (Class 1) (Premier Handicap) | 4m 2 1/2f | ITV |
| 5.00pm | The Maghull Novices’ Steeple Chase (Class 1) (Grade 1) | 2m | |
| 5.35pm | The Weatherbys NHStallions.co.uk Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Class 1) (Grade 2) | 2m 1f |
