How to Watch the 2026 Kentucky Derby
How to Watch the 2026 Kentucky Derby
Samantha StutsmanSat, May 2, 2026 at 1:00 PM UTC
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The 151st running of the Kentucky Derby on May 03, 2025 in Louisville, Kentucky.Credit: Alex Slitz/Getty -
The 2026 Kentucky Derby will take place on May 2 at Churchill Downs in Kentucky
The 152nd Run for the Roses will air on NBC and be available on streaming
Coverage of the 2026 Kentucky Derby begins at 2:30 p.m. ET
Grab your fascinators and place your bets, the 2026 Kentucky Derby is here.
On May 2, 20 horses and their jockeys will compete in a 1.25-mile race at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. The first five across the Kentucky Derby finish line will split a whopping $5 million purse — the highest payout across the Triple Crown races, which include the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes.
Favored to win the 152nd Run for the Roses is a horse named Renegade, who has 5-1 odds. He's co-owned by Mike Repole and will be ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr. in what will be the jockey's 10th Derby.
Watching the action from home? Here's everything to know about how to watch the 2026 Kentucky Derby.
What time does the 2026 Kentucky Derby start?
Horses race down the track during the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby on May 3, 2025, in Louisville, Kentucky.Credit: LEANDRO LOZADA/AFP via Getty
The 2026 Kentucky Derby will take place on May 2 at Churchill Downs, with a post time of 6:57 p.m. ET.
While the Derby is the day’s main event, it’s just one of 14 races on the schedule. Known as the undercard, the earlier races feature everything from up-and-coming horses to elite competitors in high-stakes events, offering plenty of action — and betting opportunities — long before the spotlight turns to the Derby.
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How can I watch the 2026 Kentucky Derby on cable?
Horses compete in the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby on May 03, 2025 in Louisville, Kentucky.Credit: Michael Reaves/Getty
Cable users can watch the 2026 Kentucky Derby on NBC, the network's 26th presentation of the iconic horse race.
Coverage will begin at 2:30 p.m. ET, offering a mix of pre-race analysis, features on the horses and jockeys, fashion coverage and highlights from earlier races before the Derby itself takes place at 6:57 p.m. ET.
NBC's team will be led by host Mike Tirico, helming his 10th Kentucky Derby broadcast. He will be joined by several analysts and reporters, including Dylan Dreyer, Zanna Robert Rassi and Steve Kornacki.
How can I stream the 2026 Kentucky Derby?
Jockey Junior Alvarado celebrates atop Sovereignty after winning the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby on May 03, 2025 in Louisville, Kentucky.Credit: Michael Reaves/Getty
Viewers can stream Kentucky Derby coverage starting at 2:30 p.m. ET on Peacock, NBC’s streaming platform. Additionally, Peacock will offer opening race coverage from noon to 2:30 p.m. ET.
Telemundo Deportes will offer live coverage of the 152nd Run for the Roses, beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET on Universo and streaming on the Telemundo app.
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Source: “AOL Sports”
