2026 Triple Crown Schedule: Key Dates, TV Schedule & Live Stream
Affirmed 1978 Belmont Stakes (Bob Coglianese)
April 24th, 2026
Thoroughbred horse racing has a crown beaming with three gems among three different settings. 2026 will definitely look different compared to traditional past years as the Kentucky Derby will still run for the 152nd time at Churchill Downs in Lousiville, Kentucky.
However the Preakness Stakes is temporarily moving to Laurel Park in Maryland as Pimlico Park has been undergoing some constructive renovations. Similarly, the Belmont Stakes will again run at Saratoga as Belmont Park too is undergoing construction and a revamp.
This guide below gives you the full 2026 Triple Crown schedule. You will learn when and where each race takes place, how to watch live on TV and how to stream each event online. Whether you are watching for fun or placing a bet, this article will help you follow the action from start to finish.
2026 Triple Crown Schedule on NBC
NBC is the official broadcast partner of the 2026 Triple Crown stops of the Kentucky Derby and Preaknes Stakes with FOX being the newer home of the Belmont Stakes in New York. All three races will air live on television and digital platforms, giving fans full coverage from start to finish. TwinSpires is always on with the live simulcast feeds for all day racing!
| Event | Date/Time | Watch/Stream |
| Kentucky Oaks | May 1 @ 8 pm ET | NBCSN, Peacock |
| Kentucky Derby | May 2 @ 2:30 pm ET | NBC, Peacock |
| Preakness Stakes | May 16 @ 4 pm ET | NBC, Peacock |
| Belmont Stakes | June 6 @ TBD | FOX, Fox Sports |
2026 Kentucky Derby: Race Date, Start Time, TV Schedule & Live Stream
- Date & Start Time: The 152nd Kentucky Derby is scheduled for Saturday, May 2, 2026, with the official post time at 6:57 p.m. ET.
- Location: Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY
- TV Broadcast: Live coverage begins at 12:00 p.m. ET on USA Network, transitioning to NBC from 2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET.
- Live Stream Options: NBC, NBCS, Peacock, NBCSports.com, NBC Sports app
2026 Preakness Stakes: Race Date, Start Time, TV Schedule & Live Stream
- Date & Start Time: The 151st Preakness Stakes is scheduled for Saturday, May 16, 2026. The official post time is expected to be around 6:45 p.m. ET, though the exact time will be confirmed closer to race day.
- Location: Laurel Park, Laurel, MD
- TV Broadcast: NBC will provide live coverage of the Preakness Stakes. Specific broadcast times have not yet been announced.
- Live Stream Options: NBC, NBCS, Peacock, NBCSports.com, NBC Sports app
2026 Belmont Stakes: Race Date, Start Time, TV Schedule & Live Stream
- Date & Start Time: The 158th Belmont Stakes is scheduled for Saturday, June 6, 2026, with the official post time at 6:35 p.m. ET.
- Location: Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York
- TV Broadcast: FOX will provide live coverage of the Belmont Stakes. Specific broadcast times will be announced closer to the event.
- Live Stream Options: FOX, FOX Sports
Preakness Stakes Racing Festival Details
Wager Menu, Laurel Park Gate Opening Times
2026 Preakness Stakes Post Times TBD
| Preakness Meet Schedule | ||||
| Black-Eyed Susan Day - Friday | ||||
| RACE (GRADE) | PURSE | RESTRICTIONS | DISTANCE (SURFACE) | |
| The Miss Preakness Stakes (G3) | $150,000 | Three Year Olds | Six Furlongs (Dirt) | |
| The Allaire Dupont Distaff Stakes (G3) | $125,000 | Three Year Olds and Upward | One Mile And One Eighth (Dirt) | |
| The Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2) | $300,000 | Three Year Olds | One Mile And One Eighth (Dirt) | |
| The Pimlico Special (G3) | $250,000 | Three Year Olds and Upward | One Mile And Three Sixteenths (Dirt) | |
| The Hilltop Stakes | $125,000 | Three Year Olds | One Mile (Turf) | |
| The Very One Stakes (Listed) | $100,000 | Three Year Olds and Upward | Five Furlongs (Turf) | |
| Preakness Stakes Day - Saturday | ||||
| RACE (GRADE) | PURSE | RESTRICTIONS | DISTANCE (SURFACE) | |
| The Preakness Stakes (G1) | $2,000,000 | Three Year Olds | One Mile And Three Sixteenths (Dirt) | |
| The Sir Barton Stakes | $100,000 | Three Year Olds | One And One Sixteenth Miles (Dirt) | |
| The Chick Lang Stakes (G3) | $150,000 | Three Year Olds | Six Furlongs (Dirt) | |
| The Maryland Sprint Stakes (G3) | $150,000 | Three Year Olds and Upward | Six Furlongs (Dirt) | |
| The Skipat Stakes | $125,000 | Three Year Olds and Upward | Six Furlongs (Dirt) | |
| The James W. Murphy Stakes (Listed) | $100,000 | Three Year Olds | One Mile (Turf) | |
| The Jim McKay Turf Sprint (Listed) | $125,000 | Three Year Olds and Upward | Five Furlongs (Turf) | |
| The Gallorette Stakes (G3) | $150,000 | Three Year Olds and Upward | One Mile And One Sixteenth (Turf) | |
| The Dinner Party Stakes (G2) | $250,000 | Three Year Olds and Upward | One Mile And One Sixteenth (Turf) | |
Belmont Stakes Racing Festival Details
Wager Menu, Saratoga Gate Opening Times
2026 Belmont Stakes Post Times TBD
- Wednesday, June 3 - Gates at 11am
- Thursday, June 4 - Gates at 11am
- Friday, June 5 - Gates at 10am
- Saturday, June 6 - Gates at 9am
- Sunday, June 7 - Gates at 11am
| Name | Races | Start Date & Time | Minimum | Takeout |
| Two-Day Pick 4 | Mount Vernon | Wed, June 4 | 5:12pm | $0.50 | 24% |
| Maiden Special Weight | ||||
| Tremont | ||||
| Maiden Special Weight | ||||
| Two-Day Pick 5 (All Turf) | New York pres. by Rivers Casino | Fri, June 6 | 6:25pm | $0.50 | 15% |
| Just a Game pres. by Resolute Racing | ||||
| Jaipur | ||||
| Pennine Ridge | ||||
| Resorts World Casino Manhattan | ||||
| Two-Day Pick 6 (All Dirt) | Bed O' Roses | Fri, June 6 | 2:40pm | $0.20 | 15% |
| Ogden Phipps | ||||
| True North | ||||
| Hill 'n' Dale Metropolitan Handicap | ||||
| Woody Stephens pres. by Mohegan Sun | ||||
| Belmont Stakes pres. by NYRA Bets | ||||
| Acorn - Belmont Stakes Double | DK Horse Acorn | Fri, June 6 | 5:46pm | $5 | 18.5% |
| Belmont Stakes pres. by NYRA Bets | ||||
| Met Mile - Belmont Stakes Double | Hill 'n' Dale Metropolitan Handicap | Sat, June 7 | 3:17pm | $5 | 18.5% |
| Belmont Stakes pres. by NYRA Bets | ||||
| Epsom Derby - Belmont Stakes Double | Epsom Derby | Sat, June 7 | 10:30am | $2 | 18.5% |
| Belmont Stakes pres. by NYRA Bets |
