Police say planning for the Cheltenham Festival starts almost as soon as the previous
one ends, as officers prepare for the biggest event in the racing calendar.
The four-day festival held at the iconic Cheltenham Racecourse is expected to attract
more than 200,000 visitors across the week and accompanied a major boost to the
local economy.
However, the scale of the events also presents significant challengers for local
authorities, organisers and the Gloucestershire Constabulary.
Inspector Linton, speaking about the policing operation said extensive preparations are
in place and involve several partner agencies.
“There is a very long planning process, it basically starts as soon as one festival ends,
and we start planning for the next year” he said.
“We work in partnership with the racecourse and other agencies to make sure it’s a
successful event and that we cater for any eventualities.”
“We focus not just on the people attending the event, but also the public who live in the
locality, to try and minimise disruption to them as well.”
With #CheltenhamFestival starting tomorrow (Tuesday), roads will be busier in the surrounding area.
— Gloucestershire Constabulary (@Glos_Police) March 9, 2026
Please plan ahead and allow plenty of time for your journey or consider using public transport. #RoadSafety
You can find more here: https://t.co/ytQfA0SreW pic.twitter.com/nuZzpyJjPj
Around 150 officers are expected to be on duty each day during the festival, with as
many as 200 officers contributing to the policing across the week.
Police say the operation is designed to ensure all visitors can enjoy the event safely
while also supporting local businesses and residents.
As well as the policing inside the racecourse, officers will also be deployed across the
town centre and surrounding areas to manage the highly anticipated crowds and the
busy night-time economy.
One challenge each year is the large number of people leaving the racecourse at the
same time, which can cause congestion on transport routes and nearby roads.
To help manage this, organisers have introduced measures such as staggered closing
times for entertainment and bars to spread the crowds out more evenly.
Officers will also be working closely with local bars, clubs and businesses, using
shared radio systems to quickly respond to any incidents.
Police are also continuing initiatives aimed at improving safety for women during busy
nightlife periods.
Plain clothed officers will be deployed as part of Operation Vigilant, a national policing
initiative designed to identify individuals displaying predatory behaviour and intervene
before offences take place.
Despite the huge crowds, police say serious incidents during the festival remain
relatively rare.
Inspector Linton said the vast majority of racegoers attend simply to enjoy the
atmosphere and the racing.
“We want people to arrive safely, enjoy themselves and go home safely,” he said.
“If anyone has any issues they can speak to the marshals or the police on the day there
are plenty of officers and volunteers there to help.”
The Cheltenham Festival is widely regarded as the highlight of the National Hunt racing
calendar and attracts visitors from the UK and Ireland each year.
Police say they hope racegoers will enjoy the event responsibly while respecting the local
town and residents for hosting the world-famous festival.
