The Randox Grand National 2027 is run on Saturday 10 April 2027 at approximately 4:00pm BST at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool, England. The world’s most famous steeplechase forms the climax of the three-day Randox Grand National Festival, which runs from Thursday 8 April to Saturday 10 April 2027.
What is the Grand National?
The Grand National is a Grade 3 handicap chase contested over four miles and two and a half furlongs at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool. Forty horses jump 30 unique fences over two circuits of the Grand National course, including iconic obstacles such as Becher’s Brook, the Canal Turn, Valentine’s, Foinavon and The Chair. It is the longest, richest and most prestigious jumps race in the British and Irish racing calendar, with a global television audience estimated at 600 million.
The race is the centrepiece of the Randox Grand National Festival, a three-day meeting that also features Grade 1 and Grade 2 chases and hurdles across Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Total prize money for the Grand National itself exceeds £1 million, with significant rewards across the entire Festival programme.
The Grand National handicap means horses carry different weights according to their official ratings, designed to give every runner a theoretical chance of winning. The maximum field size of 40 was reduced to 34 from 2024 onwards as part of safety reforms introduced after consultation between the racecourse, the British Horseracing Authority, the RSPCA and World Horse Welfare.
When is the Grand National 2027?
The 2027 Grand National Festival runs from Thursday 8 April to Saturday 10 April 2027. The Grand National itself is run on Saturday 10 April at approximately 4:00pm BST. The Festival opens with Liverpool Day on Thursday, continues with Ladies Day on Friday and concludes with Grand National Day on Saturday. Each day features seven races starting in the early afternoon.
Where is the Grand National?
Aintree Racecourse is located in the suburb of Aintree in north Liverpool, in the north-west of England. The course is a flat, triangular circuit unique in British racing, built specifically around the Grand National course. Aintree can host more than 70,000 spectators on Grand National Day, making it one of the largest single-day sporting events in the United Kingdom. The racecourse is approximately seven miles north of Liverpool city centre, accessible via Merseyrail trains running from Liverpool to Aintree station every seven and a half minutes on race days.
Key Contenders
The Grand National is contested by a mix of seasoned chasers from leading Irish and British stables. Irish trainers have dominated in recent years, with Willie Mullins, Gordon Elliott and Henry de Bromhead regularly fielding multiple runners. British contenders are typically led by Lucinda Russell, Sandy Thomson, Dan Skelton, Paul Nicholls and Nicky Henderson.
The defending champion will return to defend the title in 2027 if still in training. The likely favourite is determined in the days leading up to the race, with the official handicap weights published in February each year. The race traditionally attracts a mix of household-name chasers and unfancied long-shots, with the unique nature of the Aintree fences ensuring no result is ever predictable.
How to Watch
In the United Kingdom and Ireland, ITV1 broadcasts the Grand National live on free-to-air television, with the build-up beginning in the early afternoon and running through the post-race presentations. Racing TV provides full meeting coverage to subscribers across all three days. Sky Sports Racing also carries coverage. In the United States, the race is shown on TVG and NBC Sports. In Australia, Sky Racing carries the coverage. Globally, Racing TV International offers streaming in selected territories and the Aintree app provides race-day information.
History and Records
The Grand National was first run at Aintree in 1839, when Lottery became the inaugural winner. Red Rum is the only horse to have won the race three times, with victories in 1973, 1974 and 1977, as well as second-place finishes in 1975 and 1976. His 1973 victory came in a then-record time after he overhauled the long-time leader Crisp in the final strides. Tiger Roll became the first horse since Red Rum to win consecutive Grand Nationals when he triumphed in 2018 and 2019.
Other notable winners include Foinavon (1967), who won at 100-1 after avoiding a pile-up at the 23rd fence that now bears his name; Aldaniti (1981), ridden by Bob Champion months after he overcame cancer; and Mon Mome (2009), who won at 100-1. Rachael Blackmore became the first female jockey to win the Grand National when she partnered Minella Times to victory in 2021. Two riders have ridden five Grand National winners each: George Stevens between 1856 and 1870.
Tickets and Attendance
Tickets for the Grand National Festival are sold by The Jockey Club via thejockeyclub.co.uk and the Aintree box office. Enclosure options include the Steeplechase Enclosure, Tattersalls and Earl of Derby Enclosure, each with different views and facilities. Hospitality packages range from restaurant dining to private boxes and marquee suites. Grand National Day is the most expensive and sought-after, with all three days regularly selling out in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Grand National 2027 start?
Approximately 4:00pm BST on Saturday 10 April 2027, the climax of a three-day Festival running from Thursday 8 April.
Where is the Grand National being held?
Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool, England.
How can I watch the Grand National?
ITV1 in the UK and Ireland, Racing TV for full Festival coverage, NBC Sports and TVG in the US, Sky Racing in Australia.
Who won the last Grand National?
Recent winners include Nick Rockett (2025) and I Am Maximus (2024), both trained by Willie Mullins, continuing Irish dominance of the race.
How long is the Grand National?
The race is contested over four miles and two and a half furlongs, with horses jumping 30 fences over two circuits.