The cost of Guinness at the Cheltenham Festival has been reduced after complaints from attendees. Many visitors favor a pint of Guinness as their drink of choice at the event, which spans across St. Patrick’s Day.
Last year, the high price of a pint of Guinness, at £7.80, drew criticism from punters, especially as the non-alcoholic version was only 40p cheaper. Other beverages like lagers and ales were also pricey, with a premium lager costing £7.40 and a Doom Bar priced the same as a regular Guinness. Responding to feedback, organizers have lowered the cost of a regular Guinness to a more reasonable £7.50 for the 2026 Festival.
In contrast, non-alcoholic Guinness will now be priced at £7.30. Prices for premium lager and Doom Bar remain unchanged from the previous year.
Additionally, for the first time, spectators can consume alcohol in front of the grandstand along the rails at the Festival, allowing them to enjoy their drinks without rushing.
Although the price of Guinness has decreased, accommodation expenses at Cheltenham remain steep. The average cost of a five-night stay is £3,772, while renting a three-bedroom townhouse near the venue for four days amounts to £8,812.
Airbnb offers range from a one-bedroom cottage nine miles from the course for £579 to a single-bedroom apartment less than two miles away for £2,500. The most affordable Booking.com option is a guest house four miles from the track for £1,033.
To enhance the Festival experience, organizers have implemented changes to make it more enjoyable and affordable. Ladies Day has been reinstated after a seven-year hiatus, with the expectation of attracting more female fans with prizes worth £10,000 for the best-dressed attendee. The daily capacity has been reduced by 2,500 to 66,000 to provide a more comfortable environment with less crowded stands and shorter queues for food and beverages.
Various multi-ticket offers are available to lower entrance fees, marking the most significant alterations in Cheltenham’s 166-year history. Despite the increased affordability of attending the event, the surge in interest has driven up local accommodation costs, which are beyond the control of event organizers.