Watch the 2026 Kentucky Derby live streams as the opening leg of the Triple Crown will feature 20 runners tackling the famous 1.25-mile track at Churchill Downs in Louisville. Renegade arrives as one of the favorites after winning its last two races, but anything can happen in the so-called Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports. Expect upsets aplenty.
Read on and we’ll show you how to watch Kentucky Derby 2026 live streams from anywhere with a VPN.
Kentucky Derby 2026 live streams: TV schedule, dates
The 2026 Kentucky Derby live stream takes on Saturday, May 2.
► Post time: 6:57 p.m. ET / 3:57 p.m. PT / 11:57 p.m. BST / 8:57 a.m. AEST (Sun.)
• FREE trials — YouTube TV & DirecTV (U.S.) / Kayo Sports (AUS)
• U.S. — NBC (via Sling / Peacock)
• U.K. — Sky Sports Racing
• Watch anywhere — try NordVPN
The longest-running, continually held major sporting event in the U.S., the Kentucky Derby remains the ultimate test for three-year-old Thoroughbreds. Regarded as one of the most prestigious horse races in the world, the Run of the Roses features no shortage of contenders for the crown.
While Renegade is expected to challenge for glory, the Todd Pletcher-trained colt will run from the No.1 post position. The last champion to win from that slot was Ferdinand in 1986, so history is most certainly not on its side. However, he has shown the ability to come from behind to win, most notably at the Sam F. Davis Stakes.
Another of the favorites is Further Ado, thanks in large part to a dominant 11-length victory in the Blue Grass Stakes. Ridden by the experienced John Velazquez, the colt has shown the ability to emerge from the pack and finish strongly, something that could prove key after being drawn at the 18th post.
Then there’s Commandment, which has an excellent recent record with four wins in five starts, including the Florida Derby, while Chief Wallabee has shown great potential through his three races. The Puma could also be in the running for victory, having won the Tampa Bay Derby and come second to Commandment in the aforementioned Florida Derby.
Read on as we explain where to watch 2026 Kentucky Derby live streams, wherever you are.
Watch Kentucky Derby 2026 from anywhere
If you are abroad and want to watch the Kentucky Derby online, a VPN (Virtual Private Network) might be the answer to your prayers.
The software allows your devices to appear to be back in your home country regardless of where in the world you are, making it ideal for anybody away on vacation or on business. NordVPN is an excellent option for this purpose.
Watch 2026 Kentucky Derby in the U.S.
In the U.S., the 2026 Kentucky Derby is being televised on NBC. Live coverage begins on the channel at 2:30 p.m. ET / 11:30 a.m. PT on Saturday.
If you’re keen to catch the buildup too, USA Network will provide coverage from Churchill Downs from 12 p.m. ET / 9 a.m. PT.
NBC is a local broadcast network that can be accessed with one of the best TV antennas or through a cable TV package.
Our cord-cutting option of choice is Sling. The Sling Blue package costs just $45 and you can currently get 50% off your first month. Other options are YouTube TV (10-day free trial), Hulu+Live TV and DirecTV (5-day free trial).
You can also stream the action via Peacock. To watch the action you’ll need the Premium subscription which is $10.99 a month.
U.S. residents visiting another country can access the race using NordVPN.
Watch Kentucky Derby 2026 in the U.K.
Sky Sports will be showing the Kentucky Derby in the UK, so if you already have a Sky subscription that doesn’t include Sports, you’ll need to pay £18/month to add those channels. The race will be shown on Sky Sports Racing.
Sky Glass is another option. This gives you Sky TV within a 4K TV that has a built-in Dolby Atmos soundbar, and without the need for a dish. Prices start at £6/month for the TV, plus a sky sub on top of that.
If you don’t want to shell out for a full Sky subscription, you could also consider its Now Sports streaming service. This gives you 24-hour access for £14.99 or month-long access for £34.99.
Use NordVPN to watch the Kentucky Derby if you’re outside the U.K. right now.
Watch Kentucky Derby 2026 in Australia
Aussies will find Kentucky Derby 2026 live streams via Foxtel.
Don’t have Foxtel and don’t want to subscribe? Specialist streaming service Kayo Sports is also showing the Kentucky Derby, with its affordable, commitment-free plans starting from just $25/month, and hosting plenty of cricket, AFL, rugby, F1 and loads of other live sports besides.
There’s also a 7-day FREE trial for anybody who hasn’t used the service before.
Not in Australia right now? You can simply use a VPN like NordVPN to watch all the action on your Kayo account as if you were back home.
Kentucky Derby runners and riders 2026
* Silent Tactic and Fullefort scratched from the race, to be replaced by Robusta and Corona de Oro.
- Renegade (Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr., Trainer: Todd Pletcher)
- Albus (Manny Franco, Riley Mott)
- Intrepido (Hector Barrios, Jeff Mullins)
- Litmus Test (Martin Garcia, Bob Baffert)
- Right to PartyChris Elliott, Kenny McPeek)
- Commandment (Luis Saez, Brad Cox)
- Danon Bourbon (Atsuya Nishimura, Manabu Ikezoe)
- So Happy (Mike Smith, Mark Glat)
- The Puma (Javier Castellano, Gustavo Delgado)
- Wonder (DeanRyusei Sakai, Daisuke Takayanagi)
- Incredibolt (Jamie Torres, Riley Mott)
- Chief Wallabee (Junior Alvarado, Bill Mott)
Silent Tactic (Cristian Torres, Mark Casse)- Potente (Juan Hernandez, Bob Baffer)
- Emerging Market (Flavien Prat, Chad Brown)
- Pavlovian (Edwin Maldonado, Doug O’Neill)
- Six Speed (Brian Hernandez Jr., Bhupat Seemar)
- Further Ado (John Velazquez, Brad Cox)
- Golden Tempo (Jose Ortiz, Cherie DeVaux)
Fulleffort (Tyler Gaffalione, Brad Cox)- Robusta (Doug O’Neill, Emisael Jaramillo)
- Corona de Oro (Dallas Stewart, Brian Hernandez Jr.)
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