How to Watch 2026 Kentucky Derby Online for Free
Originally published May 2, 2026
By Rudie Obias · Variety
AI-generated summary based on Variety · Aggregated by Filmarian · Human-reviewed and approved on Jun 1, 2026
Key points
- The 2026 Kentucky Derby will be broadcast on NBC and streamed on Peacock.
- Streaming services like DirecTV, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling TV offer access to NBC without a cable subscription.
- A free 5-day trial for DirecTV allows viewers to watch the Derby without cost.
- Peacock does not offer a free trial, but a 30-day free Walmart+ trial includes Peacock access.
- The race is scheduled for May 2, with coverage starting at 2:30 p.m. ET.
The 2026 Kentucky Derby will be broadcast live on NBC and streamed on Peacock. Viewers without a cable subscription can access the race through streaming services such as DirecTV, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling TV, which include NBC in their channel lineups. A free trial for DirecTV offers a 5-day window to watch the event without cost. While Peacock itself does not provide a free trial, a 30-day free trial for Walmart+ grants access to Peacock content, including the Derby. The race is scheduled for Saturday, May 2, with coverage beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET.
Read the original story: Variety
