How to watch the 2026 Kentucky Derby live and for free

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Place your bets, grab your best hat, and make yourself a mint julep. It’s Kentucky Derby time once again, folks.

The 2026 Kentucky Derby is the 152nd running of the annual horse race at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. As per usual, the race coverage will last for over eight hours, but the race itself will happen in a flash. There’s a reason they call it The Fastest Two Minutes in Sports. Here’s what you need to know so you don’t miss the most important moment — and how to watch everything leading up to it.

When is the 2026 Kentucky Derby?

The 152nd Run for the Roses is scheduled for Saturday, May 2. Coverage will begin at noon ET on Peacock and NBCSN and at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC. The post time for the race itself is set for 6:57 p.m. ET. You’ll want to make sure you’re tuned in well before that so you don’t miss a beat.

Who is the favorite to win the Kentucky Derby 2026?

After a couple of scratches ahead of the official race, the favorite is now Renegade (5-1), with Commandment (6-1) and Further Ado (6-1) close behind. Chief Wallabee (8-1) and The Puma (10-1) round out the top five favorites. Odds are expected to change as bettors make their wagers ahead of the race.

How to watch the 2026 Kentucky Derby

Kentucky Derby TV coverage starts at noon on Saturday, May 2, on NBCSN and will switch over to NBC at 2:30 p.m. ET. The official post time for the race is 6:57 p.m. ET, and coverage will end around 7:30 p.m. ET. Don’t have cable? No problem. Cord-cutters can also stream the Kentucky Derby live on Peacock or through a paid TV subscription like YouTube TV or Sling.

Peacock subscriptions start at $10.99 per month, while most live TV subscriptions offer introductory trial periods, then start at around $20 per month. Don’t want to pay full price? Below, we’ve rounded up the best ways to save money on your subscription.

Best Peacock streaming deals

Best long-term Peacock deal

While a Peacock Premium monthly subscription typically costs $10.99, you can save about 17% by committing to an annual subscription instead. At $109.99 per year, that drops the monthly rate to just $9.17. In other words, you’ll get 12 months of streaming for the price of 10. The same goes for the Premium Plus plan without ads; while a monthly subscription would run you $16.99 per month, the price drops down to just $14.17 monthly if you pay for a year up front.

Best Peacock deal for Xfinity customers

I highly recommend checking the eligibility deals below before signing up for Peacock if you’re an Xfinity customer. There’s a chance you could score a subscription for free. Here’s a breakdown of who is eligible:

• Xfinity Internet customers who are Diamond or Platinum Xfinity Rewards members can get Peacock Premium for free by redeeming a reward for it. Sign in at xfinity.com/rewards and choose Peacock as a reward. Then, wait for your email (it may take a few hours) with instructions on activating the offer.

• NOW TV customers can also receive Peacock Premium as part of their service.

• New customers with Xfinity Internet and an X1 TV Box, Flex streaming TV Box, or a Xumo Stream Box from Xfinity can get Peacock Premium for free for six months.

Best Peacock deal for students and young adults

College students can snag a Peacock Premium subscription for just $5.99 per month for an entire year. Just prove your student status using your .edu email address through SheerID, and you’ll receive a unique promo code to secure the discount. Just note that the discount code can only be used once. Young adults who aren’t students can also score the same deal.

Best for first responders, medical professionals, military, and teachers

First responders, medical professionals, military personnel, and teachers can all secure a Peacock Premium subscription (with ads) for a discounted rate of $6.99 per month. So long as you can verify your professional status using SheerID, you’ll be able to knock $4 per month off the usual subscription cost. If you continue to meet verification qualifications, you can renew your subscription yearly. Just note that rates are subject to change.

Best for Instacart users

An Instacart+ subscription ($99.99 per year) unlocks a free Peacock Premium subscription ($109.99 per year) on top of free grocery delivery, lower fees, credit back on eligible pickup orders, and more perks. Not to mention, you’ll get a free two-week trial to test the waters before you’re charged. That’s plenty of time to watch the Kentucky Derby for free (just saying).

Best for Walmart shoppers

A Walmart+ subscription now gives you the option to subscribe to either Peacock Premium or Paramount+ Essential for free (you can switch every few months). Since Peacock Premium is a $109.99 value on its own, the $98 Walmart+ membership is already a better deal. You’ll also get a ton of other perks, including free shipping with no order minimums, fuel discounts, a Scan & Go checkout tool, and early access to deals during Walmart’s major shopping events. Did I mention it comes with a free 30-day trial?

Best live TV streaming deals

While Peacock is the most straightforward option for cord-cutters, it’s not the only option. If you’re looking to watch the Kentucky Derby live, along with other sports, live TV streaming services like Sling and YouTube TV are also great options. Even better, some offer free trials — so you can watch all eight hours of Derby coverage on NBC for free, then cancel before you’re charged the full monthly fee (which can be kind of steep). Here are the best deals for watching the annual horse race and more via live TV streaming. Double-check that NBC is offered in your zip code before you commit to a service.

Most affordable: Sling Select

Sling’s Select package is by far the most affordable live TV streaming service. It includes access to your local NBC network to watch the Derby live in select networks (be sure to check yours first) and costs just $19.99 per month. And since Sling subscriptions are a la carte, you can add or take away from your plan with no worries and cancel or pause at any time.

Best intro offer: YouTube TV

YouTube TV offers a massive 100+ channel lineup, which includes your local NBC network to watch the Kentucky Derby, as well as other local favorites for sports, news, and entertainment. We’re not huge fans of its $82.99 per month fee, but through June 30, the streamer is giving new users a sweet introductory offer. You’ll get your first 21 days for free, then your first three months for just $67.99. That’s $45 in savings, should you choose to stick around after catching the Kentucky Derby for free during your trial period.