Get ready for the 151st Kentucky Derby! Find all the details you need about the Kentucky Derby 2025 Date, start time, end time, TV coverage, Schedule, and how to watch online for free.
The 2025 Kentucky Derby, happening on May 3rd, will be the 151st running of this exciting horse race at Churchill Downs. This famous event, often called “The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports,” features some of the best racehorses and carries a prize of $5 million.
It’s a vital part of the American Triple Crown, drawing fans from all over to watch either in person or on TV. The horses that compete have earned their spots through a series of qualifying races held worldwide.
Kentucky Derby 2025 at a Glance
| Date: | Saturday, May 3, 2025 |
| Post time: | 6.57 pm ET / 3.57 pm PT / 11.57 pm BST / 8.57 am AEST |
| Venue: | Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky |
| Race type: | Thoroughbred |
| Distance: | 1⁄4 miles (10 furlongs; 2 km) |
| TV Channel: | NBC (USA) | TSN (CA) | Sky Sports (UK) | Kayo Sports (AU) |
What time does the Kentucky Derby 2025 start and end?
The gates open at 9 am ET and the First Post is at 10:30 am ET. The Kentucky Derby race’s main event typically starts around 6:57 pm ET/3:57 pm PT.
The televised coverage on NBC will run from 2:30 pm to 7:30 pm ET. Therefore, time differences may apply if you live or travel in other territories.
The Kentucky Oaks held the day before the Derby, will be on Friday, May 2nd. It begins at 11 a.m. ET and ends at 6 pm ET, and the full event airs on FanDuel TV, USA Network & Peacock.
2025 Kentucky Derby Start Time for Different Countries
Worldwide fans eagerly await the most exciting “Greatest Two Minutes in Sports.” Here, we list the Kentucky Derby race kick-off times for major countries.
United States
Since it will happen in the US, you won’t need to worry about the starting time. There is no time difference between Eastern Time and Washington, DC. It will happen at the same time, 6:57 p.m. ET / 3:57 p.m. PT.
Here is the KY Derby start time for different time zones:
- 6:57 PM Eastern Time (ET)
- 3:57 PM Pacific Time (PT)
- 5:57 PM Central Time (CT)
- 4:57 PM Mountain Time (MT)
- 1:57 PM Alaska Standard Time (AKST)
- 12:57 PM Hawaii Standard Time (HST)
Canada
Folks in Canada must rest assured that they can watch the Kentucky Derby 2025 through their favorite channel simultaneously as other US viewers. Montreal, Canada time zone is EDT (UTC -4). So, if you are in Canada, you can expect to witness the spectacle at 06:57 PM ET
United Kingdom
The UK viewers can tune in to their TV channel at 11:57 p.m. BST. It might be later for the UK viewers, but the event is still on the same day.
Australia
Because of the time difference, Australian viewers must patiently wait for the next day to watch the Kentucky Derby 2025. The starting time is at 8:57 a.m. AEST on May 4.
France
For France viewers, you could tune in to the channel the next day since the starting time will be May 4, 12:57 a.m. CEST.
Germany
If you are living or traveling in Germany, be ready to tune in to your favorite channel on May 4 at 12:57 a.m. CEST.
Kentucky Derby 2025 Schedule
Those who want to enjoy the entire festivity of the event should know the Kentucky Derby 2025 schedule well. As we know, Kentucky Derby 2025 is not only about the sport’s most exciting 2 minutes moment. It is more complicated than that. Even before the core event, people will gather to sip a cold Mint Julep and enjoy the other festivities.
Indeed, as a diehard fan of the horse racing sport, you don’t want to miss all of the critical moments and traditions of the Kentucky Derby 2025. Knowing the Kentucky Derby 2025 schedule will help you to keep on track. The event starts at 10:30 a.m. local time when people can place a bet wagering.
| DATES | EVENTS |
|---|---|
| Saturday, April 26th | Opening Night |
| Sunday, April 27th and Monday, April 28th | Dawn at the Downs |
| Tuesday, April 29th | 502’sDay |
| Wednesday, April 30th | Champions Day |
| Thursday, May 1st | Thurby (Presented by Old Forester) |
| Friday, May 2nd | The Longines Kentucky Oaks |
| Saturday, May 3rd | Kentucky Derby (Presented by Woodford Reserve) |
TV Schedule
Here is the complete TV Schedule of the 151st Kentucky Oaks and race day:
| Date | TIME | EVENT | TV Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, May 2nd | 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET | 151st Kentucky Oaks | 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. ET FanDuel TV 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. ET USA Network & Peacock 6 p.m. ET– Last Race FanDuel TV |
| Saturday, May 3rd | 12 p.m.-7:30 p.m. ET | 151st Kentucky Derby (Post Time: 6:57 pm ET) | Noon – 2:20 p.m. ET USA & Peacock 2:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. ET NBC & Peacock 7:30 p.m. ET– Last Race FanDuel TV |
2025 Kentucky Derby Day Start Time & Schedule:
| ACTIVITY/RACE | APPROXIMATE TIME (ET) |
|---|---|
| Race 1 | 10:30 AM |
| Race 2 | 11:01 AM |
| Race 3 | 11:31 AM |
| Race 4 (All Stakes, All Dirt P5) | 12:04 PM |
| Race 5 | 12:36 PM |
| Race 6 | 1:14 PM |
| Race 7 | 1:56 PM |
| Race 8 | 2:46 PM |
| Race 9 | 3:40 PM |
| Race 10 | 4:31 PM |
| Race 11 (Old Forester Turf Classic) | 5:27 PM |
| Race 12 (KY Derby presented by Woodford Reserve) | 6:57 PM |
| Race 13 | 8:00 PM |
| Race 14 | 8:35 PM |
What channel is the Kentucky Derby on?
You can watch the 2025 Kentucky Derby on NBC or stream it live on Peacock. USA Network might also show parts of the race weekend, especially the Kentucky Oaks on the day before.
FanDuel TV will be showing the Kentucky Oaks too, from 11 AM to 1 PM Eastern Time.
This is a big deal – about 20 million people around the world are expected to watch the Kentucky Derby! For more info on where to watch in other countries, check out the Kentucky Derby TV Coverage guide.
Where can I listen to the races and pre-race shows on the radio?
You can listen to the Kentucky Derby and its pre-race coverage live on SiriusXM‘s NBC Sports Audio channel. This includes not only the main race but also extensive pre-race shows. Tune in on satellite channel 85 or through the SiriusXM app.
Additionally, coverage is available on the Horse Racing Radio Network (HRRN) website, local NBC Sports Radio affiliates, various radio streaming platforms, and some sports betting sites that offer live audio streaming for members.
Ways to Watch Kentucky Derby online for free
Here’s a simpler guide on how to watch the Kentucky Derby online for free:
If You Already Have Cable or Satellite TV:
If your TV package includes NBC, you can watch the Kentucky Derby live online at no extra cost. Just visit the official NBC website, click on the “LIVE” menu, select NBC from the channel options, log in with your TV provider credentials, and enjoy the race.
If You Don’t Have Cable:
You can still watch the Kentucky Derby for free by signing up for a live TV streaming service that offers a free trial. Services like FuboTV provide a 7-day free trial, during which you can watch NBC, which broadcasts the Derby.
FuboTV also offers more than 200 live TV channels and features like unlimited hours of cloud DVR and streaming on up to 10 devices simultaneously. If you don’t carry this service, Make sure to cancel the trial before it ends to avoid being charged.
Watching from Outside Your Country:
If you’re abroad, you might need to use a VPN to access FuboTV or similar services. We recommend ExpressVPN for streaming, as it offers a user-friendly experience, multiple server locations, and a 30-day risk-free trial.
2025 Kentucky Derby FAQ – Everything you need to know
The Kentucky Derby takes place at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The 151st Derby will be held on May 3rd, 2025. The gates open at 9:00 a.m. ET, with preliminary races starting at 10:30 a.m. ET and the main event around 6:45 p.m. ET.
Derby fashion is a significant part of the experience. Men often wear seersucker suits or smart casual suits, while women don wide-brimmed hats and spring dresses. There’s a dress code depending on which part of the venue you are in, with more formal attire expected in certain areas and more casual in the infield.
The Mint Julep is the traditional drink of the Derby, famously made with bourbon, simple syrup, and mint. Nearly 120,000 Mint Juleps are served over the Derby weekend.
Held the day before the Derby, the Kentucky Oaks is a major stakes race for three-year-old fillies. It’s part of the festivities of Derby Week and features a fashion parade where attendees wear pink to support women’s health initiatives.
Yes, the Derby is known to attract many celebrities. The event’s festive atmosphere and high-profile nature make it a hotspot for celebrity sightings.
The Twin Spires are an iconic architectural feature of Churchill Downs, becoming a symbol of the Derby and the venue itself. They were designed to give the grandstands a striking appearance.
The Garland of Roses is awarded to the Kentucky Derby winner. This tradition started in 1932, and the garland is made of over 400 red roses.
“My Old Kentucky Home” is played as the horses are led to the starting gate, a tradition that adds to the emotional and ceremonial atmosphere of the event.