2026 Kentucky Derby date, time & where to watch it: TV schedule, post time, live stream
Run for the Roses sign at the Kentucky Derby (Photo by Jessica Piat / TwinSpires.com)
April 24th, 2026
The Kentucky Derby (G1) and Kentucky Oaks (G1) may be the feature events for Kentucky Derby week, but the week is a full festival in itself! Please find all of the ways to watch or attend each day of the Kentucky Derby week racing and festivities listed below.
- NBC hosts the main broadcasts, with the Kentucky Oaks in prime-time on Friday for the first time!
- Gates typically open at 11:30 a.m. most days, and the exceptions are Thurby (10:30 a.m.), Oaks (11:00 a.m.), and Derby (9:00 a.m.).
Complete Kentucky Derby Week Schedule Overview
- Opening Day: Saturday, April 25, 2026
- Post Draw Coverage on WAVE3 Louisville
- LIVE BLOG
- Watch in TwinSpires App or on TwinSpires.com
- Post Draw Coverage on WAVE3 Louisville
- Sunday Funday: Sunday, April 26, 2026
- Watch in TwinSpires App or on TwinSpires.com
- 502's Day: Tuesday, April 28, 2026
- Watch in TwinSpires App or on TwinSpires.com
- Winsday: Wednesday, April 29, 2026
- Watch in TwinSpires App or on TwinSpires.com
- Thurby: Thursday, April 30, 2026
- LIVE BLOG
- Watch in TwinSpires App or on TwinSpires.com
- Oaks Day: Friday, May 1, 2026
- LIVE BLOG
- 11:30 a.m. to 4pm ET on FanDuel TV
- 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET on Peacock & NBCSN
- 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. ET on NBC & Peacock
- Watch in TwinSpires App or on TwinSpires.com
- Derby Day: Saturday, May 2, 2026
- LIVE BLOG
- 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET on FanDuel TV
- 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET on Peacock & NBCSN
- 2:30 p.m. ET to 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC & Peacock
- 7:30 p.m. ET Final Race on FanDuel TV
- Watch in TwinSpires App or on TwinSpires.com
- Most Current Details Where Watch and on What Channels
Live Horse Racing Details for Kentucky Derby Week
Saturday, May 2nd
- Gates Open: 9 a.m. ET | First Post: 11:00 a.m. ET
- Kentucky Derby: Approximately 6:57 p.m. ET
- Derby Undercard Races 12:00-2:30 p.m. ET on Peacock & NBCSN
- 152nd Kentucky Derby Coverage 2:30-7:30 p.m. ET on NBC & Peacock
- Kentucky Derby: Approximately 6:57 p.m. ET
| Race | Post Time | Race Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11:00 AM | To be announced in late April! |
| 2 | 11:32 AM | To be announced in late April! |
| 3 | 12:05 PM | To be announced in late April! |
| 4 | 12:38 PM | To be announced in late April! |
| 5 | 1:12 PM | To be announced in late April! |
| 6 | 1:53 PM | To be announced in late April! |
| 7 | 2:38 PM | To be announced in late April! |
| 8 | 3:23 PM | To be announced in late April! |
| 9 | 4:06 PM | To be announced in late April! |
| 10 | 4:50 PM | To be announced in late April! |
| 11 | 5:39 PM | Old Forester Turf Classic |
| 12 | 6:57 PM | Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve |
| 13 | 8:00 PM | To be announced in late April! |
| 14 | 8:33 PM | To be announced in late April! |
Churchill Downs Track Opening Gate Times & First Race Times
- Saturday: Gates Open 11:30 a.m. | First Race 12:45 p.m.
- Sunday: Gates Open: 11:30 a.m. | First Race: 12:45 p.m.
- Monday: No Racing
- Tuesday: Gates Open 11:30 a.m. | First Race 12:45 p.m.
- Wednesday: Gates Open 11:30 a.m. | First Race 12:45 p.m.
- Thursday: Gates Open: 10:30 a.m. | First Race 12:45 p.m
- Friday: Gates Open: 11:00 a.m. | First Race 12:30 p.m.
- Saturday: Gates Open: 9:00 a.m. | First Race 11:00 a.m.
Kentucky Derby Week Stakes Schedule
| Date | Grade | Purse | Race |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, April 25 | Listed | $200,000 | Roxelana Stakes |
| Wednesday, April 29 | Listed | $200,000 | The Isaac Murphy Marathon |
| Wednesday, April 29 | Black Type | $250,000 | Kentucky Juvenile Stakes |
| Thursday, April 30 | Black Type | $200,000 | St. Matthews Overnight Stakes |
| Thursday, April 30 | GI | $400,000 | UAE President Cup Arabian Stakes |
| Thursday, April 30 | Listed | $350,000 | Opening Verse Stakes |
| Thursday, April 30 | GIII | $300,000 | Mamzelle Stakes |
| Friday, May 1 | GIII | $750,000 | Alysheba Stakes |
| Friday, May 1 | GI | $1,000,000 | La Troienne Stakes |
| Friday, May 1 | GI | $1,500,000 | Kentucky Oaks |
| Friday, May 1 | GIII | $700,000 | Eight Belles Stakes |
| Friday, May 1 | GII | $500,000 | Unbridled Sidney Stakes |
| Friday, May 1 | GII | $600,000 | Edgewood Stakes |
| Friday, May 1 | GIII | $500,000 | Modesty Stakes |
| Saturday, May 2 | Listed | $200,000 | Knicks Go Overnight Stakes |
| Saturday, May 2 | GII | $750,000 | Pat Day Mile |
| Saturday, May 2 | GI | $1,000,000 | Churchill Downs Stakes |
| Saturday, May 2 | GI | $1,000,000 | Derby City Distaff |
| Saturday, May 2 | GI | $5,000,000 | Kentucky Derby |
| Saturday, May 2 | GII | $1,000,000 | Churchill Distaff Turf Mile |
| Saturday, May 2 | GII | $600,000 | Twin Spires Turf Sprint |
| Saturday, May 2 | GI | $1,000,000 | American Turf Stakes |
| Saturday, May 2 | GI | $1,500,000 | Turf Classic Stakes |
