Daring competitors and thousands of spectators will gather at Cooper's Hill in Brockworth, Gloucestershire, on Monday, May 25, 2026, for the historic annual cheese-rolling event.
Participants chase a 3.5-kilogram wheel of Double Gloucester cheese down a steep 180-meter slope with a 1:2 gradient.
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According to Gloucestershire Live, the unofficial amateur tradition dates back to at least June 1836, though its roots may stem from an ancient spring festival.
The cheese can reach speeds of up to 80 miles per hour, frequently causing bumps, bruises, and broken bones among racers.
The event is free to attend and requires no prior registration for participants over 18 years old, who simply show up at the top of the hill.
A total of seven races are scheduled from midday, including three men's downhill races, a women's downhill, and uphill races for children.
Due to safety concerns, Tewkesbury Borough Council recently declared the event unsafe, urging participants to carefully consider the risks.
Because there is no official organizer or safety plan, BBC News and BBC iPlayer are providing live streaming coverage for viewers inside the United Kingdom.
Cheese Maker Confident in Product
Rod Smart, the traditional cheese maker from Churcham who supplies 11 wheels for the event, noted that the handmade cheese is pressed over several days under three-quarters of a ton of weight to ensure it remains robust.
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"I have no qualms about it being rolled down the hill, but I do wonder about the people who roll down the hill after it," Smart said.
Smart mentioned that his late mother, Diana, originally brought cheese making into the family business as a retirement project.
He expressed confidence in the durability of his product, which matures for at least five months in temperature-controlled rooms before the races.
"I don't worry...
because at the end of the day, if it does break up that's beyond anyone's control," Smart said.
Smart added that visitors travel from all over the world, including the United States, to witness the unique spectacle.
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"It's amazing what people do to come to little old Cooper's Hill cheese roll," Smart said.
