When is the Punchestown Festival?

The Punchestown Festival is held every year over five days at the end of April. Punchestown week 2024, takes place from Tuesday 29 April to Saturday 3 May. The first race kicks off at 2.30pm.

How much do tickets cost for the Punchestown Festival?

Tickets for the Punchestown Festival cost from €30 for students & U/14's race for free. Up to €149 euro for hospitality packages.

What is the Punchestown Festival?

The Punchestown Festival is the culmination of the National Hunt season in Ireland. Jump racinga??s top quality horses, trainers and jockeys go head to head and it is a much celebrated week of racing. There are 40 races in total and the feature races are; the Champion Chase, the Punchestown Gold Cup, the Stayersa?? Hurdle and the Champion Hurdle.

Where is the Punchestown Festival held?

Punchestown races are held at Punchestown Racecourse in Co. Kildare. The racecourse is situated southwest of Dublin.

What is the dress code for the Punchestown Festival?

Racegoers are advised to dress smart casual or smart and to be mindful of the weather.

How do I get to the Punchestown Festival?

Punchestown Racecourse is very accessible for those travelling. Marathon Travel runs regular coaches from Aston Quay in Dublin and the journey time is 1 hour. Those travelling from Dublin city centre are able to catch a bus to Naas with JJ Kavanagh & Sons. It is recommended to book online. Shuttle buses run regularly from Poplar Square in Naas., Those flying to Dublin can use the above services or take the train from Dublina??s Heuston Station to Sallins, which is close to Naas.

When does the Punchestown Festival start?

The first race of Punchestown 2025 kicks off at 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday 29 April.

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Punchestown Festival Tips 2026

Updated on Apr 15, 2026

Expert Tips for the Punchestown Festival 2026

Editor Vincent Finegan has scanned the form and selected his most confident Punchestown tips ahead of a cracking five days of racing.

THISCOULDBETHEONE 4.50 Punchestown, Tuesday, Goffs Defender Bumper

This full brother to connections’ Grade One Cheltenham Festival scorer City Island caught my eye when making a nice debut in a Listed Bumper at Limerick in March. With that experience under his belt he will be difficult to beat if getting a run here.

DOWNMEXICOWAY 3.05 Punchestown, Wednesday, Connolly's RED MILLS Irish EBF Auction Hurdle Series Final

Point to point winner Downmexicoway steps up in distance for the first time over hurdles for this Auction Series Final. He was slightly disappointing when tried in Grade Two company last time, but is better judged on a wide-margin victory in a leg of this series on his previous start when he had one of today's rivals Scalpnagoon ten lengths behind.

TEAHUPOO 4.50 Punchestown, Thursday, Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle (Grade 1)

Teahupoo looks to have strong claims of winning this Champion Stayers Hurdle for the second year in a row. He was possibly a shade unlucky at Cheltenham and might have been better served by kicking for home earlier.

THE YELLOW CLAY 6.35 Punchestown, Friday, Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)

The Yellow Clay has improved with each race over hurdles this season and arguably took his form up several notches when beaten less than a length by The New Lion in the Turners Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham. A similar display here will put him in with a big chance of landing this Grade One contest over his optimum trip.

LULAMBA 4.50 Punchestown, Saturday, Ballymore Champion Four Year Old Hurdle

Lulamba can exact revenge on his Cheltenham conqueror Poniros if taking up his entry here. Lulamba looked to have the Triumph Hurdle sewn up when winning a protracted duel with chief market rival East India Dock, but was nabbed close home by the Poniros who came home fast and late on his blind side.

Punchestown 2026 Preview

Emma Nagle is joined by broadcaster Donn McClean and Betting Expert's Stephen Harris to look ahead to the Festival's main races. The trio highlight their best Punchestown tips.

Vincent Finegan

Vincent, who lives on the Curragh in Co. Kildare, is the editor of irishracing.com and has almost 40 years experience in the horse racing industry. He writes a weekly blog on this website covering all aspects of the sport and presents our Irish Angle video show on Mondays. He is a dual winner of The Irish Field naps table.

Emma Nagle

Emma grew up on a racing yard which got her involved in racing from a young age. Having worked in racing media on a freelance basis for a few years she joined irishracing.com full time in 2023. She has ridden as an amateur and still works with horses.

Punchestown Festival Betting Offers and Free Bets 2026

Find the best betting offers and free bets for the Punchestown Festival coming up from April 28 - May 2 when some of the best National Hunt action in Ireland takes place. Claim your betting offers from below and use the above Punchestown racing tips to spend your free bets.