Grand National Festival 2026: Merseyside Police issues travel and security advice ahead of Aintree meeting
The Randox Grand National Festival opens at Aintree this Thursday, with Merseyside Police issuing travel and security advice for the three-day meeting, which runs to Saturday 11 April.
The festival draws more than 150,000 visitors to the course and is one of the most popular race meetings of the year for people across north-east Wales.
It is also broadcast live to a television audience of around 800 million people worldwide.
Racegoers should expect bag searches, badge checks and parking restrictions on all three days.
Only pre-booked vehicles will be allowed onto the Aintree site.
Roads around the racecourse will be congested and some closed to traffic during the meeting.
Drivers are advised to car-share where possible or be dropped within walking distance of the course, and to leave extra time.
Aintree railway station is a one-minute walk from the main entrance, with regular trains running on all three days from Liverpool.
Chief Inspector Kevin Chatterton, of Merseyside Police, said: “As with every year, we are expecting many visitors to the region to enjoy this festival of racing, which is a prime opportunity to showcase many of the great things Merseyside has to offer.”
“Racegoers and other visitors can help us and the racecourse staff by giving themselves extra time to get to the course and limiting the number of bags and other items they bring along.”
“Everyone should expect to undergo the normal security checks. I’d like to thank people in advance for their patience and cooperation in these essential checks. Your safety is our priority.”
Merseyside Police has warned that people attempting to use forged badges face arrest.
Operations are in place to detect counterfeit tickets in the lead-up to the event.
Anyone with information about the sale of forged tickets can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Police have also asked racegoers to keep a close eye on bags, cash and mobile phones, and to keep phones out of back pockets.
Anyone who sees suspicious activity should speak to an officer at the course, call 101, or contact the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321.
In an emergency, call 999.
Full information on the event is available at thejockeyclub.co.uk/aintree.
Travel information is available at merseytravel.gov.uk and merseyrail.org.
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