The Kentucky Derby will take place on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, with a post time of approximately 6:57 p.m. ET. This iconic horse racing event is known for its rich traditions and pageantry.
Key points
The Kentucky Derby is traditionally held on the first Saturday in May.
The 2026 Kentucky Derby is set for May 2.
Post time for the race is approximately 6:57 p.m. ET.
The event takes place at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.
The Kentucky Derby is known for its pageantry and traditions.
Mentioned in this story
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Kentucky Derby
Churchill Downs employees Corey McGreal and Todd Herl work to update the iconic green Kentucky Derby sign above the Grandstand to reflect the 152nd Running of the Kentucky Derby.
Churchill Downs employees Corey McGreal and Todd Herl work to update the iconic green Kentucky Derby sign above the Grandstand to reflect the 152nd Running of the Kentucky Derby.
The Kentucky Derby is one of those events that sports fans know is a big deal, even if they only check in on horse racing once a year. It is fast, flashy, tradition-heavy and usually packed with enough pageantry to make it feel bigger than just one race.
If you are wondering when the Kentucky Derby is, the simple answer is this: it is traditionally held on the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. In 2026, the Kentucky Derby is set for Saturday, May 2, with an approximate post time of 6:57 p.m. ET.
The Derby is often called “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports,” and it has the history to back up the hype. According to the official event site, it dates back to 1875 and is the oldest continuously running sports event in the United States.
When is the Kentucky Derby every year?
The easiest evergreen way to remember it: the Kentucky Derby is run on the first Saturday in May. That has been the permanent schedule since , which helped lock the race into its current spot on the sports calendar.
Q&A
What is the date and time of the Kentucky Derby in 2026?
The Kentucky Derby is scheduled for Saturday, May 2, 2026, with a post time of approximately 6:57 p.m. ET.
Where is the Kentucky Derby held?
The Kentucky Derby is held at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.
What makes the Kentucky Derby a significant event in horse racing?
The Kentucky Derby is significant for its rich traditions, pageantry, and its status as one of the most prestigious horse racing events in the United States.
How can I watch the Kentucky Derby?
The Kentucky Derby can be watched through various sports networks and streaming services that cover horse racing events.
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1931
So if you are planning ahead in future years, you usually do not need to memorize a random date. Just look for that first Saturday in May and you are in the right neighborhood.
For the current edition, the official schedule lists:
The Kentucky Derby is on NBC and Peacock, with race-day coverage stretching well beyond the main event itself. The official watch schedule lists Derby coverage throughout the day, including early race coverage on FanDuel TV, undercard coverage on Peacock and NBCSN, and primetime coverage on NBC and Peacock.
For Derby day in 2026, the official broadcast windows are:
10:30 a.m. to noon ET: Kentucky Derby coverage on FanDuel TV
2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET: Main Kentucky Derby coverage on NBC and Peacock
That setup makes it pretty easy for fans. You can either drop in close to post time for the big race or make a full day of it and watch the buildup.
Why the Kentucky Derby is such a big deal
Part of the Derby’s appeal is that it is not just a race. It is one of the signature traditions on the American sports calendar. Churchill Downs leans into that history with the red rose garland, big hats, mint juleps and the nickname “Run for the Roses.” The official Derby history page notes that the red rose became the race’s official flower in 1904, the Mint Julep became the official drink in 1939, and the phrase “Run for the Roses” was coined in 1925.
It is also the opening leg of the Triple Crown, followed by the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes. The Derby’s place at the front of that three-race run is a big reason it carries so much weight every spring. Churchill Downs notes that the event’s move to the first Saturday in May helped create a more consistent Triple Crown schedule.
Kentucky Derby past winners
If you are looking for recent winners, here is a quick snapshot from the official past winners list:
Secretariat remains one of the race’s all-time legends. Churchill Downs notes that he won the 1973 Derby in a record****1:59.40, a mark that still gets talked about whenever Derby history comes up.
More recently, American Pharoah won the Derby in 2015 and went on to end a more than 30-year Triple Crown drought, while Justify pulled off the same feat in 2018.
Then there are the chaos years that make the Derby fun even for casual fans. Rich Strike’s****2022 win at 80-1 odds is officially remembered as one of the biggest upsets in race history.
What else is worth knowing about Derby weekend?
Even if you only care about the main race, Derby weekend is bigger than one Saturday evening post time.
The official schedule includes Kentucky Oaks day on the Friday before the Derby, plus a full week of events at Churchill Downs leading into race day. In 2026, Kentucky Oaks is scheduled for Friday, May 1, with coverage across FanDuel TV, Peacock and NBCSN.
Friday, May 1 Kentucky Oaks TV schedule
152nd Kentucky Oaks — 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET on FanDuel TV
Kentucky Oaks Undercard Race Coverage — 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET on Peacock and NBCSN
Kentucky Oaks Primetime Race Coverage — 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. ET on Peacock
