The Grand National is set to undergo notable changes off the track ahead of the 2026 renewal at Aintree. Organisers have confirmed updates to both the declaration process and the rules surrounding reserve runners.

The changes are designed to provide greater clarity in the build-up to the race, improve planning for connections, and enhance engagement for racing fans. There’s also a worldwide angle in play here. The final field can get out around the world much earlier, and time zones no longer impact that.

While the spectacle of the race itself remains unchanged, these behind-the-scenes adjustments mark a significant shift in how the world’s most famous steeplechase is managed and now presented to fans. This is especially important to those outside of the UK. The global appeal of horse racing around the world is something that the BHA wants to keep tapping into.

Changes to the Grand National declarations process

From 2026, final declarations for the Grand National will be made 72 hours before the race, rather than the traditional 48-hour deadline. This means the confirmed field will be known on the Wednesday ahead of the Saturday race, giving trainers, owners, broadcasters and punters more time to prepare.

A change for the world’s greatest steeplechase 🙌🏼

The £1m @RandoxHealth Grand National will move to 72-hour declarations, with final runners confirmed on the Wednesday rather than the Thursday as in previous years ✅

Learn more at https://t.co/oNElUGQAO9. pic.twitter.com/QU2jgVyH3H

— Aintree Racecourse (@AintreeRaces) January 14, 2026

Aintree officials believe the earlier declaration deadline will bring greater transparency and help build anticipation in the days leading up to the race. With the Grand National attracting a global audience and widespread interest beyond regular racing followers, having the final runners confirmed earlier allows for clearer storytelling, media coverage and fan engagement.

All three have been looked at by Epsom racecourse, surrounding the English Derby on the flat. This move mirrors changes we have already seen elsewhere, most notably the Derby at Epsom, where 72 hour declarations have been introduced.

The BHA has said that this approach works well for flagship events, where certainty around the final field is valuable both commercially and competitively. In a time when racing needs to generate as much income as possible, much of the decision-making around things like this will always side with options that could potentially make more money.

Updated rules for reserve runners in 2026

Alongside the shift to earlier declarations, the number of reserve runners for the Grand National will increase from four to six. The reserve system, reintroduced recently, allows horses outside the initial cut-off to take part if declared runners are withdrawn.

For the 2026 race, the six reserves will be eligible to step in up until 1 pm on the Friday before the race. This expanded list is designed to protect the final field even if multiple horses are withdrawn after declarations. Of course, the longer declaration period means that there’s more chance of runners pulling out, so these two rule changes go hand in hand, and make sense together.

Fans want to see a full-sized Grand National field, and if the declaration change were made alone, that would risk the chances of that happening. But making it alongside this change to the reserve numbers means we shouldn’t see a smaller field go to post, unless something dramatic happens on the morning of the race, after the reserve cut-off point.

Overall, the changes to both declarations and reserve runners should be seen as a positive, and they definitely reflect a modern approach to race. As the 2026 Grand National approaches, we’ve now got confirmation on how the race will work off the track, and over the next few weeks, we’ll get more insight into things on the track as horses begin their preparations.