Punchestown is the biggest festival of the Irish jump racing season, held in County Kildare at the end of the season. The 2027 festival runs from Tuesday 27 April to Saturday 1 May. This guide covers the days, the feature races and the betting terms to know. It is not a tipping service.
What are the Punchestown Festival 2027 dates and feature races?
- Tuesday 27 April: Champion Chase day.
- Wednesday 28 April: Punchestown Gold Cup day.
- Thursday 29 April: Champion Stayers Hurdle day.
- Friday 30 April: Champion Hurdle day.
- Saturday 1 May: the festival finale.
Dates and feature races are as published by Punchestown. Check the card before you bet, as details can change.
What are the main Punchestown betting markets?
- Race winner: ante-post and on the day.
- Each-way: check the places and the fraction offered.
- Leading trainer and jockey: festival-long markets.
- Irish v British: markets on which country has more winners, less common than at Cheltenham.
What should you check before betting on Punchestown?
- The going, which can change through the week and after spring rain.
- Form at Punchestown and over the distance.
- Whether horses ran at Cheltenham or Aintree and how they came out of it.
- Trainer and jockey form.
- Non-runner and best odds guaranteed rules at each bookmaker.
Our horse racing betting guide explains each-way, non-runner and Rule 4 terms.
Where can you bet on Punchestown in Ireland?
Bet only with a bookmaker licensed for Irish customers: see our betting sites in Ireland and how to check a bookmaker is licensed. New to each-way betting? Read bet types explained and use the bet calculator.
Keep it in perspective
Racing can encourage bigger stakes than usual. Set a budget first, only bet what you can afford to lose, and see our responsible gambling page for help.
Frequently asked questions
When is the 2027 Punchestown Festival?
Tuesday 27 April to Saturday 1 May 2027.
What are the feature races?
The Champion Chase, Gold Cup, Champion Stayers Hurdle and Champion Hurdle on the first four days, plus the festival finale on Saturday.
What is each-way betting?
Two equal bets, one on the horse to win and one to place, with the place part paid at a fraction of the odds.
Are Punchestown tips reliable?
No. No tip is a guarantee, and favourites lose often.
18+. Please play responsibly, gambleaware.org. Guides are opinion, not guarantees.
