How to watch 2026 Kentucky Derby: Start time, TV info, horses to know

The Athletic has live coverage of the 2026 Kentucky Derby.

After a full year of buildup, “the most exciting two minutes in sports” returns on Saturday night.

The 152nd Kentucky Derby ushers in red roses, mint juleps and a parade of pastels. It’s the single biggest day in horse racing and a blue-chip event for sports bettors. This cultural landmark warrants more than seven hours of broadcast coverage. Here’s what to know before tuning in.

All times are ET.

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How to watch the 2026 Kentucky Derby

• Venue: Churchill Downs — Louisville, Ky.
• Date: Saturday, May 2
• Time: Noon (Peacock/NBCSN coverage), 2:30 p.m. (NBC coverage), 6:57 p.m. (post time)
• TV: NBC, Universo
• Streaming: Peacock, Telemundo
• Watching in person? Get tickets on StubHub.

NBC is free over the air.

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More about the Kentucky Derby start time

The TV broadcast window opens in the early afternoon to cover the festivities, as well as Saturday’s nine other races before the Derby. The main event’s post time is not until 6:57 p.m.

That is just an approximation, though. The race usually starts at least a few minutes after its listing. Last year’s Derby also had a 6:57 p.m. post, but it actually began seven minutes later. Here are the start times in recent years:

• 2025: 7:04 p.m.
• 2024: 7:01 p.m.
• 2023: 7 p.m.
• 2022: 7:02 p.m.
• 2021: 6:59 p.m.

The Derby day announcers and broadcast info

NBC is home to the Kentucky Derby for the 26th consecutive time. The network’s first Derby telecast in 2001 was just 90 minutes long. This year’s coverage starts with the undercard at noon on Peacock and NBCSN, followed by five hours on NBC from 2:30 p.m. onward.

Mike Tirico returns as the host of the Kentucky Derby. So far, 2026 has been a busy year for Tirico in the booth. He called the Super Bowl and anchored the Winter Olympics in February, and he continues to do play-by-play for NBC’s NBA playoffs coverage.

Tirico is supported by analysts Jerry Bailey and Randy Moss (no, not the former NFL wide receiver). Moss has almost five decades of Derby broadcast experience, while Bailey is a Hall of Fame jockey. Eddie Olczyk and Matt Bernier are the professional handicappers. Among the many reporters are Donna Brothers, who is set for the final Derby of her longstanding career, and Ahmed Fareed.

Steve Kornacki, the NBC election night correspondent, breaks down data insights. John Fanta dispatches from the Churchill Downs infield, and Rebecca Lowe is in tow for a feature on the event’s pageantry. Dylan Dreyer of NBC News and Zanna Roberts Rassi of the “Today” show both cover the sartorial styles.

Other features include a tribute to late trainer D. Wayne Lukas, a spotlight on the 20th anniversary of Barbaro’s dominant Derby win, and a “day in the life” exploration of this year’s jockeys.

NBC’s elaborate setup includes live drones and slow-motion cameras. One lens is fixed on Larry Collmus, the track announcer. Another is mounted to the outrider, the race assistant on horseback.

This year’s horses to know

The morning-line favorite is Renegade at 4-1. Renegade, who is trained by Todd A. Pletcher and jockeyed by Irad Ortiz Jr., recently won the Arkansas Derby in late March. Critically, Renegade starts Saturday from the rail position — which no horse has won from in the last 40 years.

Other viable winners are Further Ado and Commandment; both opened at 6-1. Further Ado has three wins in six career races, including a stakes race at Churchill Downs in November 2025. He starts from the No. 18 post. Commandment trots into Saturday’s action with four consecutive wins, and also claimed a Churchill Downs victory last November. He races from the No. 6 post.

Chief Wallabee (8-1, post No. 12) and The Puma (10-1, post No. 9) are in the mix as well.

The Athletic‘s Kentucky Derby coverage

A list of recent Derby champions

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