After a stunning result at the Kentucky Derby, the second horse racing jewel is right around the corner. You’ll want to watch the 151st Preakness Stakes this year, especially considering which horses will—and won’t—compete.
The Preakness, which will occur at Laurel Park temporarily, is part of the Triple Crown of horse racing, which consists of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes. And this year, there will be no Triple Crown winner (more on that later).
Fans can catch the twists and turns of the Preakness Stakes on NBC’s family of networks this year. This guide breaks down all the ways you can watch the race on TV, and what services you’ll need.
What channels is the Preakness Stakes on?
The Preakness Stakes, and other events and coverage surrounding it, will air on NBC and NBC Sports Network. Those channels are also available to stream on Peacock Premium.
NBC’s contract with the Preakness Stakes ends after this year. And while NBC is interested in keeping the broadcast rights, other networks and streamers will fight for it. So it’s very possible that fans might need to learn a whole new set of channels for the 2027 race.
Did you know? The Preakness Stakes is changing venues in 2026 due to construction at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. Pimlico is expected to reopen in 2027 with revamped facilities.
2026 Preakness Stakes TV schedule
The Preakness Stakes begins Saturday, May 16. While that’s the main event, there’s a full weekend of race coverage and analysis, including the Black-Eyed Susan race.
Friday’s Black-Eyed Susan Stakes is the premier race for 3-year-old filly horses, and part of the “Filly Triple Crown,” which includes the Kentucky Oaks and Acorn Stakes.
Check out the full Preakness schedule in the table below.
| Event | Date | Time (ET) | Channels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Post Position Draw | Monday, May 11 | 5:00 p.m. | YouTube, Preakness.com |
| Black-Eyed Susan Stakes | Friday, May 15 | 4:30 p.m. | Peacock Premium, NBCSN |
| Preakness Saturday | Saturday, May 16 | 1:00 p.m. | Peacock Premium, NBCSN |
| 151st Preakness Stakes | Saturday, May 16 |
4:00 p.m. (post time at 6:50 p.m.) |
NBC, Peacock Premium |
Best TV plans for watching the Preakness Stakes
With NBC holding the broadcast rights for at least this year, fans should have a setup that includes NBC and its sister networks.
In my view, a subscription to Peacock Premium is the way to go if you’re on a budget. Horse racing aficionados, though, will want to check out YouTube TV. I explain why below.
Best Value: Peacock Premium
With one of Peacock’s premium plans ($10.99–$16.99/mo.), you’ll get access to all the live sports the service has to offer. The Preakness and Black-Eyed Susan stakes air on NBC and NBCSN, respectively, but Peacock Premium will simulcast coverage from both of those channels on race day.
Peacock Premium is also home to many other live sports, such as the Olympics, NBA, NFL, and more. You’ll even get Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series coverage later this year.
Best Live TV Service: YouTube TV
YouTube TV ($82.99/mo.) may be a little pricey, but it’s definitely worth it for horse racing fans. The service includes both NBC and NBCSN, which gets you the Preakness and Black-Eyed Susan stakes. It also carries the FOX family of networks, where the upcoming Belmont Stakes will air.
I really like YouTube TV’s clean interface and unlimited DVR storage. Plus, if you’re into other entertainment, the service offers a wide library of movies and TV shows. For even more horse racing coverage, you can also grab YouTube TV’s Sports Plus add-on, which includes FanDuel TV.
How to watch the Preakness Stakes for free
There are a couple of ways to watch the Preakness for free in 2026.
The first is by using an over-the-air antenna to get NBC. If you don’t already have one, I personally like the Mohu Leaf 50 for its wide range, easy installation, and 12-foot cable. But you’ll want to verify that you’re within the broadcast radius of a local NBC affiliate by running your zip code through Antennas Direct’s Transmitter Locator.
The other way to catch the race for free is with a free trial to a live TV streaming service. My pick for that is YouTube TV. Not only does it carry NBC, but it also offers NBCSN for extra coverage.
What horses are in the 2026 Preakness Stakes?
The competitors and their jockeys were announced on Monday, May 11, and the lineup is looking stacked. The big news going into the race is that Golden Tempo, who won the Kentucky Derby, won’t race in the Preakness to focus on the Belmont.
Here’s the full list of entries, complete with the competing horses and their assigned jockeys.
- Taj Mahal (Sheldon Russell)
- Ocelli (Tyler Gaffalione)
- Crupper (Junior Alvarado)
- Robusta (Rafael Bejarano)
- Talkin (Irad Ortiz Jr.)
- Chip Honcho (José Ortiz)
- The Hell We Did (Luis Saez)
- Bull by the Horns (Micah Husbands)
- Iron Honor (Flavien Prat)
- Napoleon Solo (Paco Lopez)
- Corona de Oro (John Velazquez)
- Incredibolt (Jaime Torres)
- Great White (Alex Achard)
- Pretty Boy Miah (Ricardo Santana Jr.)
How to watch Preakness Stakes FAQ
Can I stream the Preakness Stakes?
Yes, the Preakness Stakes will stream on Peacock Premium. You can also watch the race on any live TV streaming service that offers NBC.
When is the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes?
The 2026 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes takes place the day before the Preakness, on May 15, at 4:30 p.m. ET.
Who won the 2025 Preakness Stakes?
Journalism won the most recent Preakness Stakes, coming from behind to take the win. It was a strong year for the Curlin colt, who finished second in the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes.
How is Laurel Park different from Pimlico?
The main difference between Laurel Park and Pimlico is the crowd size. During the 2026 Preakness Stakes, viewers will see only 4,800 spectators in attendance, which is much less than what's seen at Pimlico. The race distance is exactly the same at one and three-sixteenths miles.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com Junior Sports Writer, Alex Vejar, researched the broadcast deal between NBC and the Preakness Stakes. He then confirmed the TV schedule and channels for this year’s race. Using that information, Alex put together a comprehensive set of viewing recommendations, keeping horse racing fans top of mind.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
