The Kentucky Derby 2026 time is 6:57 PM ET on Saturday, May 2 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The 152nd running airs on NBC and streams on Peacock. The purse is $5 million. Renegade is the 4-1 morning line favorite from Post 1 after the post draw on April 25. Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher saddles the colt with jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. up.
Quick details for Derby Day 2026:
- Date: Saturday, May 2, 2026
- Edition: 152nd Running
- Post time: 6:57 PM ET / 5:57 PM CT / 3:57 PM PT
- Gates Open: Gates open 9:00 AM, first race 11:00 AM
- Venue: Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky
- Distance and purse: 1 1/4 miles, $5 million
- TV and streaming: NBC and Peacock
- Favorite: Renegade (4-1) from Post 1, trained by Todd Pletcher
- Presented by: Woodford Reserve
The race is the first leg of the American Triple Crown. Horses earn their spot through 50 prep races held across the country and around the world. Last year’s winner Sovereignty drew the biggest TV audience for the Derby in 36 years. The race averaged 17.7 million viewers and peaked at 21.8 million on NBC and Peacock.
Countdown to Kentucky Derby 2026
The live countdown timer below shows the time left until the 152nd Run for the Roses in your local timezone.
Kentucky Derby 2026 Post Time by Country
The race posts at the same moment everywhere, but local clock times vary by region. The table below lists the start time in major countries.
| Country / Region | Local Time | Day |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern Time (ET) USA / Canada East | 6:57 PM | Saturday, May 2 |
| Central Time (CT) USA / Canada | 5:57 PM | Saturday, May 2 |
| Mountain Time (MT) USA / Canada | 4:57 PM | Saturday, May 2 |
| Pacific Time (PT) USA / Canada West | 3:57 PM | Saturday, May 2 |
| Alaska Time (AKDT) | 2:57 PM | Saturday, May 2 |
| Hawaii Time (HST) | 12:57 PM | Saturday, May 2 |
| United Kingdom (BST) | 11:57 PM | Saturday, May 2 |
| Ireland (IST) | 11:57 PM | Saturday, May 2 |
| Europe (CEST) France, Germany, Spain | 12:57 AM | Sunday, May 3 |
| India (IST) | 4:27 AM | Sunday, May 3 |
| Japan (JST) | 7:57 AM | Sunday, May 3 |
| Australia East (AEST) | 8:57 AM | Sunday, May 3 |
UK and Ireland viewers catch the race late Saturday night. Fans in Australia, Asia, and most of Europe watch early Sunday morning.
Kentucky Derby 2026 TV Schedule (NBC, Peacock, FanDuel TV)
NBC is the official home of the Kentucky Derby. The network has carried the race since 2001 and holds rights through 2032, the longest media partnership in Derby history. The full broadcast schedule for the Oaks on Friday and the Derby on Saturday is below.
| Date | Time (ET) | Event | TV / Streaming |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, May 1 | Morning | Early Oaks Day Races | FanDuel TV |
| Friday, May 1 | 4:00 PM | Oaks Day Show | Peacock and NBCSN |
| Friday, May 1 | 8:00 PM | Primetime Oaks Coverage Begins | NBC and Peacock |
| Friday, May 1 | 8:40 PM | 152nd Kentucky Oaks Post Time | NBC and Peacock |
| Saturday, May 2 | 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM | Early Derby Day Races | FanDuel TV |
| Saturday, May 2 | 12:00 PM to 2:30 PM | Derby Undercard Coverage | Peacock and NBCSN |
| Saturday, May 2 | 2:30 PM to 7:30 PM | 152nd Kentucky Derby Coverage | NBC and Peacock |
| Saturday, May 2 | 6:57 PM | Kentucky Derby Post Time | NBC and Peacock |
| Saturday, May 2 | After 7:30 PM | Final Race | FanDuel TV |
One note for Oaks viewers: the NBC broadcast starts at 8:00 PM ET, but the actual Oaks post time is 8:40 PM ET. This is the first year the Oaks airs in primetime on a major broadcast network in its 152 year history.
How to Watch Kentucky Derby 2026 Live Stream
NBC is the official broadcaster. Peacock is the official streaming home. Most fans have several ways to watch even without cable.
Watch on NBC for Free with an Antenna or Cable Login
NBC airs over the air in every major US city. A digital antenna picks up the local NBC signal at no cost. Cable and satellite customers can also watch free at NBC.com or in the NBC Sports app by logging in with their TV provider account.
Stream the Derby on Peacock
A Peacock subscription gives you the full Derby Day from morning races to the final post. Peacock also carries the Friday night Oaks and every Road to the Kentucky Derby prep race during the season.
Live TV Streaming Services that Carry NBC
The services below carry NBC and give you full Derby coverage. Check each one's site to confirm NBC works in your zip code before you subscribe.
| Service | Regular Price | NBC Included | Free Trial / Promo |
|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube TV | $82.99/mo | Yes | $67.99/mo for first 3 months (new users) |
| Hulu + Live TV | $89.99/mo | Yes | 3-day trial |
| DirecTV Stream Entertainment | $89.99/mo | Yes | 5-day trial |
| Sling Blue | $45.99/mo | Yes (select markets only) | No trial |
YouTube TV is the strongest pick right now. The new customer promo at $67.99 per month for three months covers the full Derby weekend. Sling Blue is the cheapest plan with NBC, but only in select markets, so confirm your zip code on the Sling site before you sign up.
Free Trial Options and the Walmart+ Workaround
Walmart+ and Instacart+ memberships both include Peacock Premium at no extra cost. Sign up for either service and turn on Peacock through your account settings. Full time students can get Peacock Premium for $5.99 per month, a 45% discount, by verifying status through Peacock's student page using SheerID.
Watching from Outside the US
Peacock and NBC streams are blocked outside the United States. US fans abroad can use a VPN like ExpressVPN or NordVPN to connect to a US server and access their existing Peacock account.
Peacock Streaming Plans for the 2026 Kentucky Derby
| Plan | Monthly Price | Annual Price | Ad-Free |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premium | $10.99/mo | $109.99/yr | No |
| Premium Plus | $16.99/mo | $169.99/yr | Yes |
| Student Premium | $5.99/mo | N/A | No |
Peacock does not offer a free trial for new users. The cheapest path to free Peacock is through a Walmart+ or Instacart+ membership.
Kentucky Derby 2026 Favorites and Post Positions
Post positions were drawn on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at Churchill Downs. Renegade is the 4-1 morning line favorite from Post 1, the rail. The colt is unbeaten in two starts as a 3-year-old, including a four length win in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby on March 28. Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher conditions Renegade. Five time Eclipse Award winning jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. has the mount.
The next two betting choices are both at 6-1. Commandment drew Post 6 after winning the Florida Derby. Further Ado drew Post 18 after his 11 length blowout in the Blue Grass Stakes. Both colts train with Brad Cox, who also has Fulleffort in the field, giving the Louisville born trainer three of the strongest contenders. Bob Baffert returns with Litmus Test at Post 4. Steve Asmussen pulled Chip Honcho on draw morning to point for the Preakness instead.
Four also eligible horses stand by in case of late scratches: Great White, Ocelli, Robusta, and Corona de Oro.
Post 1 is a tough draw. The rail has produced only eight Derby winners in race history. The most recent rail winner was Ferdinand back in 1986. Pletcher already holds the record for most Derby starters with two career wins (Super Saver in 2010, Always Dreaming in 2017). Renegade gives him a real shot at his third Derby trophy.
Kentucky Derby 2026 Schedule (Full Derby Week)
The Kentucky Derby is more than a two minute race. Derby Week starts Saturday, April 25 and runs through Saturday, May 2, with each day carrying its own theme.
| Date | Event | Gates / First Race |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, April 25 | Opening Day powered by LG&E and KU | Gates 11:30 AM / First Race 12:45 PM |
| Sunday, April 26 | Sunday Funday (returns since 2010) | Gates 11:30 AM / First Race 12:45 PM |
| Monday, April 27 | Dawn at the Downs Dining (no live racing) | Gates 6:45 AM |
| Tuesday, April 28 | 502'sDay (general admission $5) | Gates 11:30 AM / First Race 12:45 PM |
| Wednesday, April 29 | Winsday | Gates 11:30 AM / First Race 12:45 PM |
| Thursday, April 30 | Thurby | Gates 10:30 AM / First Race 12:45 PM |
| Friday, May 1 | 152nd Longines Kentucky Oaks | Gates 11:00 AM / Post 8:40 PM |
| Saturday, May 2 | 152nd Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve | Gates 9:00 AM / First Race 11:00 AM |
Sunday Funday on April 26 is the standout new event this year. Sunday racing at Churchill Downs is back for the first time since 2010, with brunch options and a relaxed family vibe.
About the Kentucky Derby
The Mint Julep
The Mint Julep is the official drink of the Kentucky Derby, made with Kentucky bourbon, simple syrup, and fresh mint over crushed ice in a frosted silver or pewter cup. Churchill Downs serves more than 125,000 Mint Juleps over Derby weekend, using more than 10,000 bottles of bourbon, 2,250 pounds of mint, and 475,000 pounds of ice.
The Garland of Roses
The winning horse wears a garland of more than 400 red roses sewn onto a green satin backing. The tradition started in 1932 with Burgoo King, the 58th Derby winner. Kroger Master Florists in Louisville hand stitch the 40 pound garland over more than seven hours. This is why the Derby is also called the Run for the Roses.
The Twin Spires
The Twin Spires are the two ornamental towers on top of the Churchill Downs grandstand. Louisville architect Joseph Baldez designed them in 1895 at age 24. They are the most recognized symbol of horse racing in America.
My Old Kentucky Home
"My Old Kentucky Home" plays as the horses walk to the starting gate. It is one of the most emotional traditions in American sports.
You can also check: Past Kentucky Derby Winners | Kentucky Derby 2026 Horses & Field
2026 Kentucky Derby FAQ
What is the difference between the Kentucky Derby and the Kentucky Oaks?
The Derby is for three-year-old colts and fillies. The Oaks is for fillies only. The Derby runs at 1 1/4 miles with a $5 million purse on Saturday, May 2. The Oaks runs at 1 1/8 miles with a $1.5 million purse on Friday, May 1. The Derby winner gets a garland of roses. The Oaks winner gets a garland of stargazer lilies. Oaks Day fans wear pink to support breast and ovarian cancer awareness.
What is the dress code at the Kentucky Derby?
Spring colors and big hats. Women wear bright dresses with wide brimmed hats or fascinators. Men wear seersucker suits, sport coats, or smart casual in pastels. Premium areas like Millionaires Row are stricter. The infield is relaxed. Wear comfortable shoes since you will stand and walk all day.
How do I bet on the Kentucky Derby?
You can bet at Churchill Downs with cash, online through licensed pari-mutuel platforms, or at US sportsbooks where horse racing wagering is legal. The minimum bet is $2. Common bet types are Win, Place, Show, Exacta, Trifecta, and Superfecta. Set up your online account a few days early since verification takes time. Kentucky law does not allow credit cards for on-track betting.
What food do you eat at a Kentucky Derby party?
The classics are Kentucky Hot Brown sandwiches, burgoo stew, pimento cheese, fried chicken, country ham biscuits, and derby pie for dessert. Mint Juleps are the official drink. Bourbon balls work for a sweet finish.
How do I host a Kentucky Derby party at home?
Start at 4:00 PM ET to catch the build up on NBC. The main race is at 6:57 PM ET. Have guests wear hats and Derby outfits. Print the post position list and let everyone draw a horse for a friendly pool. Serve Mint Juleps and Southern food. Stream the race on Peacock or watch on NBC.
Last updated: April 26, 2026