Put on your most extravagant hat because the 2026 Kentucky Derby takes over Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 2.
The 152nd Run for the Roses kicks off another thrilling Triple Crown series. But if you can’t make the journey to Louisville, don’t gallop off just yet. NBC and Peacock Premium have your back with live TV coverage of the main event.
This year’s field is already shaping up to be a classic. Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park winner Commandment has the most points at the time of this writing, but Renegade is the odds-on betting favorite. Of course, scratches and surprises are all part of the ride, so expect the unexpected when the gates fly open.
A major development this year is the Kentucky Oaks, which will occur on May 1 and will air during primetime for the first time in the event’s history.
Keep scrolling for a full rundown of the Kentucky Derby schedule, streaming options, and TV provider recommendations.
What TV channel is the Kentucky Derby on?
Pro tip: Sirius XM subscribers can listen to the Kentucky Derby on NBC Sports Radio (ch. 85).
2026 Kentucky Derby TV schedule
The Kentucky Derby is usually held on the first Saturday in May. This year follows that trend, with the 2026 Derby Day happening on Saturday, May 2. But there’s a lot more coverage to follow than just the main event.
In the table below, I’ve compiled the Derby Week TV schedule so you can stay up on everything surrounding the Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby.
| Event | Date | Time (ET) | Channels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Derby Post Position Draw | Saturday, April 25 | 2:00 p.m. | Wave3, FanDuel TV, YouTube |
| Thurby coverage | Thursday, April 30 | 12:45 p.m. | FanDuel TV |
| Kentucky Oaks early coverage | Friday, May 1 | 11:30 a.m. | FanDuel TV |
| 152nd Kentucky Oaks | Friday, May 1 | 8:00 p.m. | NBC, Peacock Premium |
| Kentucky Derby prep races | Saturday, May 2 | Noon | Peacock Premium, NBCSN |
| 152nd Kentucky Derby | Saturday, May 2 | 2:30 p.m. | NBC, Peacock Premium |
Data effective as of post date.
Best TV plans for watching the Kentucky Derby
Peacock Premium is the best way to watch the Kentucky Derby. It shows the main event and features select prep races, including the Louisiana Derby, Florida Derby, Arkansas Derby, and Santa Anita Derby. You can watch those qualifying events on Peacock Premium for as low as $10.99 a month.
Alternatively, for a more budget-conscious approach, you can use an over-the-air (OTA) antenna to pick up your local NBC station. I actually prefer this method myself because antenna TV has less delay than streaming. However, not everyone has the luxury of living within reliable broadcast range of their local NBC station. You can usually check coverage maps online. For more details on this, check out the Free Viewing Options section below.
Which TV providers carry the Kentucky Derby?
Beyond Peacock, most TV providers show the Kentucky Derby because NBC is a very common channel. But not all services offer CNBC, USA Network, and FanDuel TV for the early prep races and related programming. In the table below, I illustrate which popular TV providers carry the Kentucky Derby channels.
| Provider | Price | NBC* | FanDuel TV | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cox | $20.00–$184.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Cox Read Cox review |
| DIRECTV | $89.99–$169.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for DIRECTV Read DIRECTV review |
| DISH | $89.99–$119.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for DISH Read DISH review |
| Fubo | $14.99–$94.99/mo. | ✔ | — |
View Plans for FuboTV Read Fubo review |
| Hulu + Live TV | $88.99–$99.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Hulu Read Hulu + Live TV review |
| Optimum | $15.00–$140.00/mo. | ✔ | — |
View Plans for Optimum Read Optimum review |
| Philo | $33.00/mo. | — | — |
View Plans for Philo Read Philo review |
| Sling TV | $19.99–$60.99/mo. | ✔ | — |
View Plans for Sling TV Read Sling TV review |
| Spectrum | $40.00–$145.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
Check Availability Read Spectrum review |
| Verizon | $105.00–$149.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Verizon Read Verizon Fios review |
| Xfinity | $55.00–$125.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Xfinity Read Xfinity review |
| YouTube TV | $82.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for YouTube TV Read YouTube TV review |
Data effective as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*Available in select markets.
How to watch the Kentucky Derby for free
You have a few different options for watching the Kentucky Derby for free. If you’re a streamer, you could try a free trial from a live TV streaming service like Fubo. My Fubo Free Trial guide explains all the ins and outs of signing up and canceling without paying. But what’s most important is that its free trial lasts five days and includes NBC for live Kentucky Derby coverage.
Free race week coverage will also stream on the official Kentucky Derby YouTube channel, but you won’t see the main race on there until after the fact. Either way, it’s a great place to stream past races and behind-the-scenes content.
Another way to watch the Kentucky Derby for free is by tuning in to your local NBC station with a digital antenna. While the antenna itself isn’t free, it’s a cost-effective way to access local channels without a monthly TV subscription.
I recommend the Mohu Leaf 50 for reliable reception. Its 60-mile range and multi-directional design work well in most suburban areas. But you’ll want to verify the ideal antenna range for your home by using the FCC’s Reception Map Tool or Antenna Direct’s TV Transmitter Locator. The right location and antenna setup may also give you free access to FOX, which shows the Belmont Stakes in June.
How to watch the Kentucky Derby internationally
Wondering who will broadcast the Kentucky Derby abroad? If you’re outside the U.S., many international broadcasters offer live Derby coverage through various channels and streaming services. HBA Media recently secured several media rights deals for this year’s event, ensuring wide availability.
In regions where no official broadcaster is available, you could try using a VPN to access U.S. coverage securely. Just note that Peacock has pretty strict VPN detection measures, so that method isn’t always reliable.
Below is a quick list of where you can watch the Kentucky Derby on TV in select countries.
Kentucky Derby broadcasters by country
- Brazil (ESPN, Disney+)
- Canada (CityTV)
- Chile (Megamedia)
- Germany (WeDo Sports)
- India (FanCode)
- Ireland (Racing TV, Sky Sports Racing)
- Japan (Netkeiba)
- Netherlands (Viaplay)
- Poland (Polsat)
- United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi Media)
- United Kingdom (Racing TV, Sky Sports Racing)
- United States (NBC, Peacock)
What horses are in the 2026 Kentucky Derby?
The 2026 Kentucky Derby’s horses and jockeys were officially drawn on Saturday, April 25. Below is a list of all 24 horses that will compete in the derby, along with their jockeys.
- Renegade (Irad Ortiz Jr.)
- Albus (Susan Casner)
- Intrepido (Hector Berrios)
- Litmus Test (Martin Garcia)
- Right to Party (Chris Elliott)
- Commandment (Luis Saez)
- Danon Bourbon (Atsuya Nishimura)
- So Happy (Mike Smith)
- The Puma (Javier Castellano)
- Wonder Jean (Ryusei Sakai)
- Incredibolt (Jaime Torres)
- Chief Wallabe (Junior Alvarado)
- Silent Tactic (Cristian Torres)
- Potente (Juan Hernandez)
- Emerging Market (Flavien Prat)
- Pavlovian (Edwin Maldonado)
- Six Speed (Brian Hernandez Jr.)
- Further Ado (John Velazquez)
- Golden Tempo (Jose Ortiz)
- Fulleffort (Tyler Gaffalione)
- Great White (Alex Achard)
- Ocelli (Joe Ramos)
- Robusta (Emisael Jaramillo)
- Corona de Oro (Brian Hernandez Jr.)
How to watch the Kentucky Derby FAQ
When is the Kentucky Derby post time?
The 2026 Kentucky Derby post time is 6:57 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 2. While NBC’s core broadcast begins at 2:30 p.m. ET, most of that time is spent profiling the horses and building suspense before the main event.
Can you watch the Kentucky Derby online?
Yes, you can watch the Kentucky Derby online via Peacock Premium or any live TV streaming service that carries NBC. Existing cable and satellite TV subscribers can stream the Kentucky Derby via NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app.
Can you watch the Kentucky Derby for free on Peacock?
No, you can’t watch the Kentucky Derby for free on Peacock Premium. You’ll need one of Peacock’s premium subscription plans (starting at $10.99 a month) to stream live coverage from Churchill Downs. Otherwise, some live TV streaming services offer free trials with NBC access. I recommend checking out Fubo’s five-day free trial because it’s easy to sign up and cancel.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com sports editor, Taylor Kujawa, researched and tested the best ways to watch the Kentucky Derby. While he compared derby coverage across 13 popular TV services, he also examined alternative viewing options, such as Peacock, NBCSports.com, and the NBC Sports app. He based our final recommendations on pricing, ease of use, and Triple Crown coverage.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
