The cost of Guinness at the Cheltenham Festival has been reduced following complaints from racegoers. A pint of the dark stuff is the preferred drink for many of the tens of thousands who flock to the Cotswolds for the four-day spectacular, which spans St Patrick’s Day.

Last year, though, the celebrations turned sour for punters when they discovered how much a pint of the Irish stout would cost them an eye-watering £7.80, while the alcohol-free alternative was merely 40p cheaper. Lagers and ales were scarcely more affordable, with a ‘premium lager’ priced at £7.40 and a Doom Bar matching a standard Guinness. Encouragingly, organisers seem to have heeded the grievances, with the price of a standard Guinness falling to a more palatable £7.50 for the 2026 Festival.

Meanwhile, a non-alcoholic Guinness will be priced slightly lower at £7.30. Premium lager and Doom Bar costs remain unaltered from 2025. In a welcome development for drinkers, racegoers will be permitted to booze in front of the grandstand along the rails for the first time, meaning spectators won’t have to rush their beverages before viewing the racing.

The price of Guinness is one of a few things coming down at the Festival, though accommodation expenses remain astronomically high. An average five-night stay now stands at £3,772, according to Booking.com, while hiring a three-bed townhouse near the racecourse for the four days costs £8,812.

At the more affordable end, Airbnb prices varied from a one-bedroom cottage nine miles from the course at £579 to a single-bedroom flat less than two miles away for £2,500. The most economical option on Booking.com was a guest house four miles from the track priced at £1,033.

Event organisers have implemented changes to make the Festival more enjoyable and cost-effective for the average race-goer. Ladies Day is making a comeback after a seven-year hiatus.

The reintroduction of the day is anticipated to attract a surge of female fans, with £10,000 in prizes up for grabs for the most stylish attendee. Additionally, the daily capacity has been reduced from 68,500 to 66,000 to ensure a more comfortable experience for spectators, with less crowded stands and shorter refreshment queues.

Meanwhile, multi-ticket deals offered lower overall admission prices. The changes represent the most significant overhaul in Cheltenham’s 166-year history.

While the event may be cheaper to attend, the increased interest has inflated accommodation costs in the area, something beyond the control of racing officials.

Legendary jockey turned pundit Ruby Walsh has given his seal of approval to the changes, saying: “I’m very impressed with the changes. I think less is always more, so bringing down the capacity to me is a no-brainer.

“There has to be a customer experience. People have to walk out thinking, ‘I want to go there again’. Ladies’ Day? I’m all in a dither. I have no idea what hat I’m going to wear! I am a man with a girl’s name so I’d better make an effort.”