When is the 2026 Kentucky Derby? The 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby is scheduled for Saturday, May 2, 2026. The “Run for the Roses” will take place at Churchill Downs, with a post time of approximately 6:57 PM ET. Following today’s post-position draw, Renegade (9-2) has been named the morning-line favorite despite drawing the difficult #1 rail position. Fans can watch the race live on NBC and Peacock. Below is the full 20-horse field, the complete Derby Week schedule, and a free printable fan guide.
DERBY WEEK 2026: Key Dates & Events
- Today (Apr 25): Opening Night at Churchill Downs
- Tuesday (Apr 28): Champions Day
- Wednesday (Apr 29): Section 110 Day
- Thursday (Apr 30): Thurby
- Friday (May 1): Kentucky Oaks (Post Time: 5:51 PM ET)
- Saturday (May 2): 152nd Kentucky Derby (Post Time: 6:57 PM ET)
Last updated: April 25th, 2026
At-A-Glance: 2026 Kentucky Derby Schedule + Information
2026 Kentucky Derby Schedule: Key Event Details
Here’s the 2026 Kentucky Derby schedule for you for race day and how to watch. If you want to check out the 2025 Derby schedule we have that up for you here as well.
| Event | Detail |
| Date | Saturday, May 2, 2026 |
| Post Time | 6:57 PM ET |
| TV Channel | NBC |
| Streaming | Peacock |
| Location | Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY |
2026 Kentucky Derby Field & Odds
| Post | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Odds |
| 1 | Renegade | Brad Cox | Flavien Prat | 9-2 |
| 2 | Commandment | Brad Cox | Tyler Gaffalione | 8-1 |
| 3 | Further Ado | Brad Cox | Irad Ortiz Jr. | 10-1 |
| 4 | Fulleffort | Brad Cox | Luis Saez | 12-1 |
| 5 | Sierra Leone II | Chad Brown | Jose Ortiz | 6-1 |
| 6 | Catching Freedom | Brad Cox | Cristian Torres | 15-1 |
| 7 | Resilience | Bill Mott | John Velazquez | 20-1 |
| 8 | Just Steel | D. Wayne Lukas | Keith Asmussen | 30-1 |
| 9 | Honor Marie | Whit Beckman | Ben Curtis | 20-1 |
| 10 | Just a Touch | Brad Cox | Florent Geroux | 10-1 |
| 11 | Dornoch | Danny Gargan | Luis Saez | 25-1 |
| 12 | Track Phantom | Steve Asmussen | Joel Rosario | 30-1 |
| 13 | West Saratoga | Larry Demeritte | Jesus Castanon | 50-1 |
| 14 | Endlessly | Michael McCarthy | Umberto Rispoli | 30-1 |
| 15 | Domestic Product | Chad Brown | Irad Ortiz Jr. | 25-1 |
| 16 | Grand Mo the First | Victor Barboza Jr. | Emisael Jaramillo | 50-1 |
| 17 | Fierceness | Todd Pletcher | John Velazquez | 5-1 |
| 18 | Stronghold | Phil D’Amato | Antonio Fresu | 20-1 |
| 19 | Catalytic | Saffie Joseph Jr. | Jose Ortiz | 40-1 |
| 20 | Society Man | Danny Gargan | Frankie Dettori | 50-1 |
Full 2026 Kentucky Derby Weekend Schedule
All times Eastern (ET)
Friday, May 1: Kentucky Oaks Day
- 10:30 AM: Early undercard races begin
- 1:00 PM: Live coverage starts on USA Network and Peacock
- 5:51 PM: 152nd Kentucky Oaks Race (The “Fillies’ Derby”)
Saturday, May 2: Kentucky Derby Day
- 10:30 AM: Under-card races begin at Churchill Downs
- 12:00 PM: Early Derby Day coverage begins on Peacock
- 2:30 PM: Main broadcast coverage begins on NBC
- 6:57 PM: The 152nd Kentucky Derby (Post Time)
- 7:30 PM: Post-race analysis and trophy presentation
How to Watch the Kentucky Derby Without Cable
If you have cut the cord, you can still catch every second of the Run for the Roses.
- Peacock: The primary streaming home for all NBC Sports coverage.
- Hulu + Live TV / YouTube TV: Both carry NBC and USA Network.
- FuboTV: Offers a free trial for new users to watch the Derby live.
[FREE DOWNLOAD] 2026 Kentucky Derby Party Printable (PDF)
Planning a Derby party? Download our 1-page printable guide featuring the full race schedule, a “How to Bet” cheat sheet, and a list of the 20 contenders.
Frequently Asked Questions: Kentucky Derby 2026
What time is the 2026 Kentucky Derby? The official post time is 6:57 PM ET on Saturday, May 2, 2026. However, coverage of the undercard races and celebrity arrivals begins as early as 12:00 PM ET.
What channel is the Kentucky Derby on in 2026? The race will be broadcast live on NBC. Pre-race coverage on Friday and early Saturday may also appear on USA Network and Peacock.
Who is the favorite for the 2026 Kentucky Derby? The early favorites are determined by the “Road to the Kentucky Derby” points standings. Official odds and the post-position draw will be finalized the week of the race.
