(Lillies / Photos by Coady Media)

From NBC Sports:

For First Time Ever, NBC Sports to Present Kentucky Oaks in Primetime – Friday, May 1, 2026, on NBC and Peacock

The 152nd Kentucky Derby is Saturday, May 2, 2026, on NBC and Peacock

 

Louisville, KY., (July 24, 2025) – NBC Sports will showcase the Longines Kentucky Oaks in primetime for the first time ever in 2026, it was announced today by Churchill Downs Incorporated (Nasdaq: CHDN, “CDI”) and NBC Sports.

The 152nd Kentucky Oaks, featuring thoroughbred racing’s best three-year-old fillies, will be presented on Friday, May 1, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. In addition to premier racing, Kentucky Oaks traditions centered around fashion and women’s health advocacy will remain central pillars of the event pageantry—now culminating in a spectacular twilight finish.

“We are excited to present the Kentucky Oaks in primetime for the first time ever,” said Jon Miller, President, Acquisitions & Partnerships, NBC Sports. “With the Oaks on Friday night leading into the Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in May, we can’t wait to get back to Churchill Downs for another historic weekend of racing.”

“By moving the Kentucky Oaks to primetime, we’re giving one of horse racing’s most treasured traditions the national stage it deserves,” said CDI CEO Bill Carstanjen. “This decision is rooted in our commitment to growing the sport, reaching new audiences and creating unforgettable experiences for our fans.”

The Kentucky Derby stands as America’s oldest continually held major sporting event. The 152nd Kentucky Derby is Saturday, May 2, 2026, on NBC and Peacock. The 151st Kentucky Derby on May 3, 2025, was the most-watched “Run for the Roses” since 1989, with the audience peaking at 21.8 million viewers on NBC and Peacock as Sovereignty ran to victory.

In May 2024, NBC Sports and Churchill Downs announced a multi-year extension of their historic partnership. The relationship, which began with the 2001 Kentucky Derby, will make NBC the longest running home of the Kentucky Derby, as NBCUniversal will become the first media company to present the most prestigious event in horse racing for three decades (32 editions of the Kentucky Derby from 2001-32).

 

About Churchill Downs Incorporated

Churchill Downs Incorporated (“CDI”) (Nasdaq: CHDN) has been creating extraordinary entertainment experiences for over 150 years, beginning with the company’s most iconic and enduring asset, the Kentucky Derby. Headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, CDI has expanded through the acquisition, development, and operation of live and historical racing entertainment venues, the growth of online wagering businesses, and the acquisition, development, and operation of regional casino gaming properties. www.churchilldownsincorporated.com

Key Facts, Metrics, and Additional Messaging

  • First-ever primetime broadcast of the Longines Kentucky Oaks on NBC and Peacock on Friday, May 1, 2026, to begin at 8:00 p.m. ET.
  • The Longines Kentucky Oaks post time will be between the 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. hour ET and will be featured as the last race of the day. Historically, the Oaks post time was between 5:50 and 6:15 with two races following the Garland of Lilies Winner’s Circle presentation.
  • First post of the day will shift to 12:30 p.m. with gates opening at 11:00 a.m.
  • Signature traditions — including pink fashion, the Survivors Parade, and women’s health advocacy — will remain central.
  • This shift is part of a broader strategy to grow horse racing’s reach and attract new audiences, particularly through enhanced national visibility.
  • The NBC/Churchill Downs media partnership runs through 2032, making it the longest broadcast relationship in Derby history.
  • There are no plans to push Kentucky Derby into a late evening hour. The Derby enjoys a prominent national broadcast on NBC within a time slot proven to be incredibly successful. The 2025 Kentucky Derby was the most watched since 1989 with an average viewership of nearly 18 million.
  • A primetime Oaks broadcast on NBC is projected to increase viewership by over 1 million compared to viewership average of 300,000 on USA Network last year.
  • The Kentucky Oaks primetime shift is a bold, forward-looking enhancement that elevates the sport and boosts national visibility for the event, the city of Louisville and the state of Kentucky while increasing wagering opportunities and preserving traditions.
  • Kentucky Oaks will be reimagined as an afternoon spectacle with a twilight finale, merging tradition with modern sports entertainment appeal.
  • Churchill Downs commits to ongoing collaboration with the community to promote a positive adjustment for all.