The Grand National Festival: Camping, Tailgating, and Staying Powered

The Grand National Festival 2026 is one of the biggest dates in the British sporting calendar, bringing three days of racing, atmosphere and occasion back to Aintree Racecourse from Thursday 9 April to Saturday 11 April 2026. The festival is built around Opening Day, Ladies Day and Grand National Day, with the world-famous race itself drawing huge attention on the Saturday.

Official event information for 2026 also shows gates opening from late morning, giving racegoers time to arrive, get settled and enjoy more than just the headline race.

Phones, lights and small devices all become part of the day once you are away from home for hours at a time. In that kind of setup, a Jackery Solar Generator can be introduced naturally as a useful outdoor power option, helping you stay charged and organised without overcomplicating the trip.

Basics of the Grand National Festival

The Grand National Festival is Aintree’s flagship horse racing meeting and one of the most recognisable sporting events in the UK. Held at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool, it brings together elite jump racing, major crowds, a strong social atmosphere and the world-famous Grand National itself.

In 2026, the Grand National Festival runs from Thursday, 9 April 2026 to Saturday, 11 April 2026. The three days are officially listed as Opening Day on Thursday, Ladies Day on Friday, 10 April, and Grand National Day on Saturday, 11 April. The official event schedule also confirms that the 2026 festival includes 21 races across the three days.

That means the festival begins before the main race that most casual viewers focus on. If you are planning a trip, it is worth remembering that the experience starts on Thursday, not just on Grand National Day itself.

Tickets for the Grand National Festival

The Grand National Festival offers a few broad ticket routes, depending on the kind of day you want. The main choice for most racegoers is a general admission or enclosure ticket, which gives access to a specific area of the racecourse. Beyond that, there are premium seating options and hospitality packages designed for people who want a more comfortable base, better views, or a more complete food-and-drink experience.

Standard Admission

For standard admission, one of the clearest official options listed is the Festival Zone. This ticket includes viewing over the closing stages of every race, including the Grand National itself, plus access to the Rum & Ginger Bar and live music in the Aintree Pavilion throughout the day.

Enclosure Ticket

Another option shown on the official enclosures page is The Embankment, which is focused on views of the first fences of the Grand National Course. That ticket includes access to bars and catering facilities, unreserved seating, big-screen viewing and acoustic entertainment. However, Aintree notes that this ticket does not include access to the main course.

Premium Seating Options

If you want something more comfortable than standard enclosure entry, Aintree also sells premium boxes and hospitality packages. The official site highlights Private Boxes, Pavilion Executive Boxes and Grandstand Boxes as luxury options.

Grandstand Boxes are described as a premium way to enjoy the festival and include a private balcony. In contrast, the wider private box offering is presented as an exclusive suite experience with top-tier service, gourmet dining and strong views of the action, especially around the winning line.

Hospitality Packages

There are also restaurant hospitality packages, which sit between general admission and a fully private box. These usually include a reserved indoor base plus dining and drinks, though the exact inclusions vary by venue..

On the official 2026 pages, examples include restaurants such as Numbersixvalverde, Longma, Many Clouds and The Art School. Depending on the package, inclusions can include a multi-course meal, afternoon tea, and an inclusive or complimentary bar.

The best place to buy tickets is the official Aintree / The Jockey Club website, where the 2026 Grand National pages link directly to Opening Day Tickets, Ladies Day Tickets, Grand National Day Tickets, Group Bookings and Hospitality Packages.

The site also lists booking contact details, including a ticket booking phone line on 0344 579 3001, while hospitality enquiries are directed separately. 

How to Get to the Grand National?  

The Grand National Festival 2026 takes place at Aintree Racecourse, which is in Aintree, Liverpool. The official racecourse address is Ormskirk Road, Aintree, Liverpool, L9 5AS. For 2026, the festival runs from Thursday 9 April to Saturday 11 April, so if you are planning travel and accommodation, it helps to treat it as a full three-day event rather than focusing only on Grand National Day.

Aintree is well placed for visitors from Liverpool or elsewhere in the UK. The racecourse is located on the A59, just one mile from the M57 and M58, which connect with the M62 and M6. That makes it relatively straightforward to reach by road, whether you are travelling from the North West, the Midlands or further south.

By Car

Driving is one of the most practical options if you are travelling with friends, bringing extra clothing for the day or combining the festival with camping or a longer stay nearby. The official guidance says to follow the A59 towards Liverpool, then use the yellow tourism signs as you approach the racecourse.

One important detail is that car parking must be booked in advance, so it is not something to leave until the last minute. Aintree also states that car parks open from 6:00 am each day, although you cannot enter the racecourse itself until the gates open.

By Train

For many visitors, the easiest way to get to the Grand National is by train and local public transport in Liverpool. While the festival’s official pages mainly point people to the travel and parking hub rather than listing every rail option on the overview page, staying in Liverpool city centre and travelling out to Aintree is a common and practical option because it avoids parking pressure and keeps the day simpler.

By Coach

Aintree’s FAQ guidance also notes that you can travel directly to the festival with National Express, with coaches heading to the racecourse from 13 key UK locations. That can be a good option if you want a more direct journey without driving yourself, especially on the busiest Saturday.

By Taxi or Rideshare

If you are staying in Liverpool, taking a taxi or rideshare can work well, especially for smaller groups. It can be convenient for Opening Day or Ladies Day if you want to avoid changing transport, though on Grand National Day, traffic and road management around the course may slow things down.

Camping Near the Grand National   

If you want to turn the Grand National Festival 2026 into a full outdoor weekend, look beyond central Liverpool and consider campsites or caravan parks within driving distance of Aintree Racecourse.

One important note before booking: campsite prices around the festival period can move depending on dates, pitch type, number of guests and whether you need electric hook-up, so the figures below are best treated as starting prices or live-rate checks rather than guaranteed fixed festival-weekend rates.

Abbey Farm Caravan Park, Ormskirk

• Location: Dark Lane, Ormskirk, Lancashire, L40 5TX
• Facilities: Library, games room, games field and fishing area, plus showers, toilet block, washing-up area, dog park, launderette, wifi and charging facilities
• Price: £24 per night

Abbey Farm Caravan Park is a peaceful countryside campsite located near the market town of Ormskirk in West Lancashire. Surrounded by open farmland and rural landscapes, it’s a popular destination for caravanners, campervans, and tent campers looking for a quiet and well-maintained place to stay in the North West of England.

Martin Lane Farm, Ormskirk

• Location: 15 minutes from Southport
• Facilities: Spacious pitches, campfires and barbecues allowed
• Price: £24 per night

If you prefer something simpler and more traditional, Martin Lane Farm is another good option near Ormskirk. Pitchup describes it as a well-maintained Lancashire farm site about a 10-minute drive from Ormskirk, 15 minutes from Southport and 40 minutes from central Liverpool. It also has a nice practical advantage for campers who like to walk out for food or a pint, as the Leeds and Liverpool Canal is about five minutes away on foot, and two pubs are within walking distance.

Riverside Holiday Park, Southport

• Location: Riverside Holiday Park near Southport
• Facilities: Indoor heated pool, gym and spa, on-site fishing, a bar and restaurant, a licensed shop, launderette, dog exercise area, centrally heated toilet, shower blocks with disabled facilities, baby changing
• Price: £20 per night

For people who want more facilities and a more holiday park feel, Riverside Holiday Park near Southport is one of the more comfortable picks. Pitchup describes it as close to Southport's beaches and dunes, with easy access to Liverpool and Blackpool, and says there is a bus stop outside the park for Southport.

Wirral Country Park Club Campsite, Thurstaston

• Location: Station Rd, Thurstaston, Wirral CH61 0HN
• Facilities: BBQs, electric hook-up, toilet block, disabled facilities, laundry, dishwashing areas, WiFi, motorhome service facilities
• Price: £5 fully refundable deposit

Wirral is a peninsula of great natural beauty, and the Wirral Country Park Club Campsite is set right in the midst of its loveliest landscapes, with wonderful sea views. Located in a country park of 2,000 acres of unspoilt nature, the campsite is made up of several pitching areas attractively separated by trees and shrubs. 

Practical Camping Tips for Grand National Weekend   

So the best camping choice really comes down to the sort of weekend you want. Abbey Farm and Martin Lane Farm suit readers who want a simpler countryside base near Ormskirk. Riverside Holiday Park is better for families or people who want more facilities on site. Wirral Country Park feels more scenic and polished.

Book Early and Plan Your Drive

The Grand National weekend is one of the busiest times of the year around Aintree Racecourse, so booking early and planning your journey is essential. If you plan to drive, reserve parking in advance and aim to arrive early, as festival-day traffic management can slow access to the racecourse. This is particularly important if you are commuting from campsites or caravan parks outside Liverpool.

Pack for a Full Spring Day

A race day often starts early and finishes late, especially if you’re travelling from a campsite. Bring practical items such as layered clothing, waterproofs, comfortable footwear, portable lighting, and organised storage for phones, tickets, and charging cables. Preparing for changing spring weather will make the entire day far more comfortable.

Keep Food Simple at the Campsite

After a long day at the races, simple meals are often the best option. A cool bag with breakfast items, hot drinks supplies, and an easy evening meal can make your campsite routine much smoother. Some parks, such as Abbey Farm Caravan Park or Martin Lane Farm Holiday Cottages & Glamping, may allow barbecues or campfires, giving you more flexibility—check site rules before arrival.

Bring a Reliable Power Source

Camping during a major event means multiple devices need charging—phones, torches, speakers, cameras, or small cooking gear. Having a reliable portable power supply can make a big difference, especially at sites with limited hook-ups. A solar generator, such as Jackery's Jackery Solar Generator or Portable Power Station, can help keep essential devices powered without relying entirely on your vehicle battery.

Choose a Campsite That Matches Your Weekend Style

There isn’t one perfect campsite for every visitor. Your choice should depend on the type of experience you want. Choosing the right campsite simply depends on whether you prefer peaceful countryside, family-friendly facilities, scenic surroundings, or a convenient location near Aintree.

How Tailgating Happens at the Grand National   

Tailgating at the Grand National has its own style. It is not usually a full American-style car park barbecue with grills and long all-day setups. At Aintree, it tends to be more compact, more organised and more shaped by the venue rules.

In practice, Grand National tailgating usually falls into four main types: car park gatherings, picnic-style meetups instead of BBQs, campervan or motorhome socialising away from the racecourse, and pre- or post-race pub meetups near Aintree.

Car Park Gatherings

The most common version of tailgating at the Grand National is a car park gathering before entry. People arrive early, park up, meet their group, sort their outfits, share a coffee, check their tickets, and settle into the day before heading through security.

These gatherings usually stay fairly tidy and low-key. The racecourse terms state that unbranded awnings or gazebos are permitted in the car parks, but only within your own parking space, and unsafe or unattended setups can be removed.

Picnic-Style Tailgating instead of BBQ

A second type is picnic-style tailgating, and this is the most accurate image for many Grand National visitors. Instead of grills and hot food cooked on site, people tend to bring packed breakfasts, sandwiches, pastries, snacks, soft drinks or tea and coffee in flasks and eat them in the parking area before going in.

Campervan and Motorhome Socialising

A third kind of tailgating happens through campervan and motorhome socialising, but mostly away from the racecourse itself. This is an important distinction. Aintree’s terms make clear that camping is not permitted on site, including in campervans, caravans or cars, so people cannot turn the racecourse parking area into an overnight camper base.

In reality, this style of tailgating happens at nearby campsites or caravan parks, where groups can park up, have breakfast outside, relax after the races, and enjoy a more outdoor social atmosphere than the venue itself allows.

Pubs Near the Racecourse

The fourth version is pub-based tailgating, which is often the most British form of all. Instead of staying around the car, some racegoers meet in a nearby pub before heading to the course, or return there afterwards to keep the social side of the day going. 

Jackery Solar Generators for Events, Camping and Tailgating 

For a weekend like the Grand National Festival, power is one of those things you barely think about until you need it. A long day out quickly turns into phones running low, portable lights becoming useful after dark, and small essentials competing for the same battery pack.

That is where a Jackery Solar Generator fits naturally into the picture. Jackery range is built around a Portable Power Station paired with Jackery Solar Panels, designed for camping, RV use, off-grid trips and backup power, which makes it a practical match for event weekends rather than a forced add-on.

What makes this kind of setup appealing for events and tailgating is the balance between convenience and flexibility. Instead of relying only on your car, a campsite hook-up or a handful of small power banks, a solar generator gives you a more organised base for charging.

Jackery Solar Generator 500 v2

The Jackery Solar Generator 500 v2 is a strong fit for the Grand National Festival because it matches the kind of power most people actually need for a race weekend.

Compact Power for a Festival Weekend

The Jackery Solar Generator 500 v2 is well suited to the Grand National Festival because it gives you enough power for a full day out or a short camping stay without feeling oversized or difficult to carry. With a 512Wh capacity and 500W output, it sits in a practical middle range for festival-goers who want reliable power for essentials rather than heavy appliances.

Ideal for Camping Near Aintree

If you are camping near the Grand National or staying in a caravan or motorhome, having your own power source makes the trip much easier. The Jackery Solar Generator 500 v2 can help run small camping essentials such as phones, lighting, tablets, and other low-power devices, so you are not relying on shared charging points or constantly using your car battery.

Multiple Ports for Different Devices

One of the main reasons to choose this model is its charging flexibility. Jackery says the 500 v2 includes 2*AC outlets, a car port, 2*USB-C ports, and a USB-A port, so it can support several devices at the same time. That is especially helpful for couples, families, or friends travelling together to the Grand National.

Solar Recharging Adds More Freedom

Because this is the Solar Generator 500 v2, it comes paired with a SolarSaga 100W panel, which gives you more flexibility during a multi-day stay. If you are camping or spending more than one day outdoors, solar charging can help top up the unit and reduce the need to search for mains power.

Jackery Solar Generator 1000 v2

For the Grand National Festival, the 1000 v2 makes the most sense for people whose needs go beyond just keeping a phone alive. If your plan includes camping, longer stays, more devices, or a more comfortable setup, its larger battery and stronger output make it a more appropriate choice.

More Suitable for a Longer Festival Stay

The Jackery Solar Generator 1000 v2 is a stronger choice for the Grand National Festival if you are planning more than a simple day trip. The festival runs across three days at Aintree, from 9 to 11 April 2026, so many visitors turn it into a longer stay with camping, caravans, or weekend accommodation nearby.

Larger Capacity for More Devices

One of the clearest reasons to choose the Jackery Solar Generator 1000 v2 is its 1070Wh capacity, which gives you much more usable power than smaller festival units. That extra capacity is useful at the Grand National if you need to charge multiple phones, tablets, cameras, lights, Bluetooth speakers, or power banks over a full weekend.

Better for Camping Comfort

If you are camping near Aintree or staying in a caravan, the 1000 v2 is appealing because it is built for more than just basic phone charging. Jackery positions it as a camping-ready model, and its 1500W rated output means it can handle a broader range of outdoor equipment than a smaller unit.

Stronger Output for Heavier Festival Needs

The biggest difference between the 1000 v2 and a smaller model is not only the battery size but also the power output. With 1500W rated output and 3000W surge peak, it is designed for more demanding use. The Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 includes 2 AC outputs, 2 USB-C ports, 1 USB-A port, and a car port, which makes it easier to keep a group’s devices organised and charged from one place.

FAQs

The following are frequently asked questions about the Grand National Festival.

1. When is the Grand National Festival 2026?

The Grand National Festival 2026 runs from Thursday 9 April to Saturday 11 April 2026 at Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool. The three days are officially listed as Opening Day, Ladies Day and Grand National Day.

2. Can you camp at the Grand National Festival?

You cannot camp on site at Aintree Racecourse during the Grand National Festival. The official racecourse terms state that camping is not permitted on the racecourse grounds, including in tents, campervans, caravans, or cars. If you want to stay outdoors for the weekend, the better option is to book a nearby campsite or caravan park and travel to Aintree each day.

3. Why is Grand National so famous?

The Grand National is known for its unpredictability. With 40 runners taking on 30 gruelling fences over a distance of more than four miles, even the best-laid plans can come undone in an instant.

4. How much does it cost to go to the Grand National?

Grand National tickets and prices for all stands and enclosures are available, and advance tickets are expected to prove as popular as ever, after a change in pricing policy saw some tickets bought on the gate increased in price.

(Source: Grand National)

Final Thoughts

For plenty of visitors, though, the appeal goes beyond the racing itself. A trip to the Grand National often means an early start, a full day at the course, and sometimes a longer stay in or around Liverpool. Some people book hotels and travel each day. Others look at campsites, caravan parks or outdoor-friendly bases nearby so the festival feels more like a proper spring weekend away.

That is where practical preparation comes in. Whether you are sorting out a simple day bag, thinking about food and drink for the journey, or putting together a campsite setup for the weekend, reliable power can make life much easier.