Where to Watch Kentucky Derby 2026 Live Stream Free Online: Time, Date
So Happy trains on the track during morning workouts ahead of the running of the 152nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 1, 2026, in Louisville, Kentucky.
Michael Reaves/Getty Images
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Twenty horses and jockeys are gearing up for the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby. The first leg of the 2026 Triple Crown takes place on Saturday, May 2, with a scheduled start time of 6:57 p.m. ET/3:57 p.m. PT, and event coverage beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET/11:30 a.m. PT. Both the race and pre-race coverage are broadcast on NBC, which can be streamed live on any streaming service that carries the network, including DirecTV (with a five-day free trial), Sling and Hulu + Live TV.
stream derby free with directv 5-day trial
The 2026 Kentucky Derby will also livestream on Peacock, however the streamer does not offer a free trial. Learn more about each streaming option (and their free trials and new subscriber discounts) below.
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At a Glance: How to Watch Kentucky Derby 2026
- When: Saturday, May 2, 6:57 p.m. ET/3:57 p.m. PT (pre-race coverage begins at 2:30 p.m. ET/11:30 a.m. PT)
- TV channel: NBC
- Stream online: DirecTV, Peacock, Sling, Hulu + Live TV
get directv 5-day free trial
What Time Is the Kentucky Derby 2026?
The 152nd Kentucky Derby takes place at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on Saturday, May 2, with a scheduled start time of 6:57 p.m. ET/3:57 p.m. PT. Pre-race coverage begins at 2:30 p.m. ET/11:30 a.m. PT.
Where to Watch Kentucky Derby 2026
The horse racing event (and pre-race coverage) airs on NBC, which can be streamed live via DirecTV (with a five-day free trial), Sling or Hulu + Live TV. It will also livestream on Peacock, however the streamer does not offer a trial period. More on each streaming option below.
DirecTV
Five-day free trial; packages from $19.99 per month
Directv free trial
NBC is included in any of DirecTV’s signature packages: Entertainment, Choice, Ultimate or Premier. Plus, DirecTV is offering a five-day free trial for its streaming service, meaning new subscribers can catch the race at no cost.
Learn more about each plan option, including how to build your own channel lineup (starting at just $19.99 per month), at directv.com.
NBCUniversal
Peacock
Starting at $10.99 per month
Get Peacock
Not a Peacock subscriber? The streamer has an ad-supported Peacock Premium package for $10.99 monthly (or $109.99 yearly). Otherwise, the ad-free Peacock Premium Plus plan is $16.99 monthly (or $169.99 yearly).
While the streaming service doesn’t offer a free trial directly, deal-savvy streamers can enjoy free Peacock access through partner subscriptions, including Instacart+ and Walmart+, which both include Peacock Premium in their membership. Plus, since both Instacart+ and Walmart+ offer free trials — 14 days for Instacart+ and 30 days for Walmart+ — members can stream Peacock at no cost during the trial period.
Learn more about Walmart+ streaming offers here and the best Peacock subscription deals here.
Sling
Half off first month for select plans
Get Sling
NBC is included in Sling’s Blue Plan, starting at $45.99 per month.
For the best bang for your buck, opt for Sling’s Orange & Blue plan, which provides everything both the Orange and Blue plans have to offer, starting at $60.99 monthly.
Hulu + Live TV
Three-day free trial; packages from $89.99 per month
Get Hulu + live TV, disney+, ESPN+
Watch NBC for free with a three-day trial to Hulu + Live TV, which comes bundled with Disney+ and ESPN+, starting at $89.99 per month.
Kentucky Derby 2026 Horses, Odds
The 20 horses in this year’s Derby (and their odds, according to the official Kentucky Derby website) include:
- Renegade, 4-1
- Albus, 30-1
- Intrepido, 50-1
- Litmus Test, 50-1
- Commandment, 6-1
- Danon Bourbon, 20-1
- So Happy, 15-1
- The Puma, 10-1
- Wonder Dean, 30-1
- Incredibolt, 20-1
- Chief Wallabee, 8-1
- Potente, 20-1
- Emerging Market, 15-1
- Pavlovian, 30-1
- Six Speed, 50-1
- Further Ado, 6-1
- Golden Tempo, 30-1
- Great White, 50-1
- Ocelli, 50-1
- Robusta, 50-1
Three horses scratched: Right to Party (Post No. 5), Silent Tactic (Post No. 13) and Fulleffort (Post No. 20). This allows Great White (Post No. 21), Ocelli (Post No. 22) and Robusta (Post No. 23) to enter Saturday’s race.
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