The first Saturday of May means one thing in America. The Kentucky Derby 2026 runs on Saturday, May 2 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. This is the 152nd edition of the Run for the Roses and post time is set for 6:57 PM ET. Gates open at 9:00 AM ET and the first race fires at 11:00 AM ET. Got a ticket or just watching from home?
This guide has every time and schedule detail you need.
How Many Days Until KY Derby 2026?
What Time Does the Kentucky Derby 2026 Start?
Saturday, May 2, 2026 is Derby Day. Churchill Downs opens its gates at 9:00 AM ET, the first race of the day starts at 11:00 AM ET, and the 152nd Kentucky Derby itself goes to post at 6:57 PM ET.
Here are the Kentucky Derby 2026 key details at a glance:
- What: 152nd Kentucky Derby
- When: Saturday, May 2, 2026
- Where: Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky
- Presented By: Woodford Reserve
- Purse: $5 million
- Gates Open: 9:00 AM ET
- First Race: 11:00 AM ET
- Derby Post Time: 6:57 PM ET / 3:57 PM PT
- TV Coverage: NBC and Peacock (from 2:30 PM ET)
- Live Stream: Peacock
HISTORIC CHANGE: Kentucky Oaks 2026 Moves to Primetime!
Big news for Oaks fans. The 152nd Kentucky Oaks runs on Friday, May 1, 2026, and for the first time in its 152-year history it gets a national primetime slot on NBC and Peacock. The official NBC and Peacock broadcast block is 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM ET, with the Oaks post time set for approximately 8:40 PM. The Oaks is the closing race of Oaks Day, capping the program with primetime coverage.
Churchill Downs CEO Bill Carstanjen said the move gives the Oaks a national primetime stage befitting one of horse racing’s most treasured traditions.
| Date | Friday, May 1, 2026 |
| Gates Open | 11:00 AM ET |
| First Race | 12:30 PM ET |
| Oaks Post Time | Approximately 8:40 PM ET (PRIMETIME, FIRST EVER) |
| Purse | $1.5 million |
| Broadcast | NBC and Peacock |
When is the Kentucky Derby 2026 Post Time?
The Kentucky Derby 2026 post time is 6:57 PM ET on Saturday, May 2. Fans watching from outside the U.S. can check their local time in the tables below.
| Country | Post Time |
|---|---|
| United States (ET) | Saturday, May 2 at 6:57 PM ET |
| United Kingdom | Saturday, May 2 at 11:57 PM BST |
| Canada | Saturday, May 2 at 6:57 PM EDT |
| Australia | Sunday, May 3 at 8:57 AM AEST |
| Ireland | Saturday, May 2 at 11:57 PM IST |
| France | Sunday, May 3 at 12:57 AM CEST |
| Netherlands | Sunday, May 3 at 12:57 AM CEST |
| Japan | Sunday, May 3 at 7:57 AM JST |
| Germany | Sunday, May 3 at 12:57 AM CEST |
| South Africa | Sunday, May 3 at 12:57 AM SAST |
| USA Time Zone | Post Time |
|---|---|
| Eastern Time (ET) | 6:57 PM |
| Central Time (CT) | 5:57 PM |
| Mountain Time (MT) | 4:57 PM |
| Pacific Time (PT) | 3:57 PM |
| Alaska (AKST) | 2:57 PM |
| Hawaii (HAST) | 12:57 PM |
Full Race Post Times: Oaks Day and Derby Day
Derby Day runs 14 races total. The Kentucky Derby is Race 12. Oaks Day closes with the Kentucky Oaks itself in primetime. Below are the full post times for both days.
Oaks Day Post Times (Friday, May 1, 2026)
The Kentucky Oaks is the closing race of the day in 2026, capping Oaks Day in primetime for the first time in race history. Earlier race post times follow the standard rolling schedule from 12:30 PM ET, with the Oaks itself going to post at approximately 8:40 PM ET. Confirm individual undercard post times on the official Churchill Downs program closer to race day.
| Detail | Time (ET) |
|---|---|
| Gates Open | 11:00 AM |
| First Race | 12:30 PM |
| Kentucky Oaks (closing race) | Approximately 8:40 PM |
Kentucky Derby Race Day Post Times (Saturday, May 2, 2026)
| Race | Post Time (ET) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11:00 AM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 P5 |
| 2 | 11:32 AM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 P4 |
| 3 | 12:05 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 P5 |
| 4 | 12:38 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 P4 (All Stakes, All Dirt P5) |
| 5 | 1:12 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 P5 |
| 6 | 1:53 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 P4 |
| 7 | 2:38 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 DC6 |
| 8 | 3:23 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 P5 |
| 9 | 4:06 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 P4 |
| 10 | 4:50 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD P3 P5 |
| 11 | 5:39 PM | Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic |
| 12 | 6:57 PM | Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve |
| 13 | 8:00 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 DD |
| 14 | 8:33 PM | WPS EX TRI SUPER SH5 |
TV Broadcast Schedule for Kentucky Derby 2026
Not everyone can make it to Louisville. NBC and Peacock cover both days from early morning through the final race. Here is exactly what airs and when.
Oaks Day (Friday, May 1, 2026)
| Time (ET) | Channel |
|---|---|
| 11:30 AM to 4:00 PM | FanDuel TV |
| 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM | Peacock and NBCSN |
| 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM | NBC and Peacock (primetime Oaks broadcast, race post time approximately 8:40 PM) |
Derby Day (Saturday, May 2, 2026)
| Time (ET) | Channel |
|---|---|
| 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM | FanDuel TV |
| 12:00 PM to 2:30 PM | Peacock and NBCSN (undercard races) |
| 2:30 PM to 7:30 PM | NBC and Peacock (main Derby coverage) |
| 7:30 PM onward | FanDuel TV (final races) |
No cable? Peacock carries every race on both days. It is the simplest option for cord-cutters who want to watch from the first race to the last.
When are the 2026 Kentucky Derby Gates Open?
The Kentucky Derby 2026 gates open at 9:00 AM ET on Saturday, May 2. That is two hours earlier than most Derby Week days.
More than 150,000 fans fill Churchill Downs on Derby Day. Security lines move slowly. Most regular Derby attendees aim to arrive at least two hours before the race they want to catch. Do not cut it close.
Parking: Onsite Churchill Downs parking is sold out. Free parking is available at the Kentucky Exposition Center with a free shuttle to the track. Shuttles start at 7:30 AM on both Oaks and Derby days. Paid parking at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium costs $40 per car, with $150 for RVs and $200 for buses. Pay on-site with cash or card. No advance sales. No rideshare or taxi drop-off at Churchill Downs.
Kentucky Derby Gate Locations and Entry Process
Churchill Downs has three main gates on Derby Day:
- Paddock Gate: Sits in the middle of the track. It leads straight to the paddock area where horses get saddled before each race.
- Clubhouse Gate: On the east side of Churchill Downs. This gate serves Clubhouse ticket holders and premium seating guests.
- Infield Gate: On the south side. General admission infield ticket holders use this entrance.
Security checks happen at every gate. Every bag gets inspected and every person walks through a metal detector. Budget extra time for this.
Bag policy: One bag per person. Maximum size is 12 x 6 x 12 inches. Parents with young children can bring a diaper bag on top of that.
Prohibited items:
- Backpacks
- Coolers
- Umbrellas longer than 36 inches
- Outside alcoholic beverages
- Professional cameras
- Drones
- Weapons of any kind
All 2026 tickets are digital. Have yours ready on your phone before you reach the gate. Paper printouts do not work.
Most reserved seating packages include:
- All-inclusive food and beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic)
- Access to offsite parking at the Kentucky Fair and Expo Center
- Race day program
Specific inclusions vary by section and ticket type, so confirm what is bundled with your seat before race day.
Need help inside Churchill Downs? Text DERBY to 69050.
Field, Favorites, and Late Scratches
The 2026 Kentucky Derby drew 24 entries before three late scratches reduced the working field to 20 horses. Trainers Bob Baffert, Todd Pletcher, and Brad Cox each have multiple storylines in play, and Renegade carries the favorite tag despite drawing the unfavorable rail.
Confirmed Scratches
| Original Entry | Reason | Replaced By |
|---|---|---|
| Silent Tactic (Mark Casse) | Wednesday morning scratch | Great White |
| Fulleffort (Brad Cox) | Thursday ankle scratch | Ocelli |
| Right to Party (Kenny McPeek) | Friday morning scratch | Robusta |
Top Contenders by Live Odds (Friday Evening)
| Post | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Renegade | Todd Pletcher | Irad Ortiz Jr. | 5-1 |
| 8 | So Happy | Mark Glatt | Mike Smith | 6-1 |
| 6 | Commandment | Brad Cox | Luis Saez | 7-1 |
| 18 | Further Ado | Brad Cox | John Velazquez | 7-1 |
| 9 | The Puma | Gustavo Delgado | Javier Castellano | 8-1 |
| 12 | Chief Wallabee | Bill Mott | Junior Alvarado | 9-1 |
| 7 | Danon Bourbon (JPN) | Manabu Ikezoe | Atsuya Nishimura | 14-1 |
| 15 | Emerging Market | Chad Brown | Flavien Prat | 15-1 |
| 10 | Wonder Dean (UAE) | Daisuke Takayanagi | Ryusei Sakai | 20-1 |
Live odds will continue to move through Saturday afternoon. Always check the tote board at Churchill Downs or the Churchill Downs app for the live final price.
Storylines to Watch
- Renegade and the rail: Drew the No. 1 post, statistically one of the toughest spots in the field. Ferdinand in 1986 was the last horse to win the Derby from the rail.
- Bob Baffert chasing history: The Hall of Fame trainer is tied with Ben Jones at six Derby wins. A victory by Potente (post 14) or Litmus Test (post 4) would give him the outright record at seven.
- Todd Pletcher record: Renegade is Pletcher’s 65th Kentucky Derby starter, the most by any trainer in race history. Pletcher’s career Derby record is 2-65 (Super Saver in 2010, Always Dreaming in 2017).
- Brad Cox doubles up: Two top contenders, Commandment and Further Ado. Cox already owns one Derby win as the official trainer of 2021 winner Mandaloun (after Medina Spirit’s disqualification).
- Cherie DeVaux: Trainer of Golden Tempo (post 19), looking to become the first female trainer ever to win the Kentucky Derby. Shelley Riley holds the best finish for a female trainer (second in 1992 with Casual Lies).
- Junior Alvarado and Bill Mott: Last year’s winning jockey-trainer pairing (Sovereignty in 2025) is reunited aboard Chief Wallabee.
What Time Does the Kentucky Derby 2026 End?
The Derby race itself lasts about two minutes. Post time is 6:57 PM ET and the race finishes around 7:00 PM ET. NBC and Peacock wrap their broadcast at 7:30 PM ET. FanDuel TV then takes over for Races 13 and 14, with the final race at 8:33 PM ET.
All up, Derby Day runs from 11:00 AM ET to roughly 8:45 PM ET. That is close to ten hours of race-day coverage at Churchill Downs. Tune in by 6:55 PM ET if the Derby itself is all you care about. The race is over before you know it.
Derby Week 2026 Full Schedule
Derby Day is the main event but the fun at Churchill Downs starts a full week before. Each day during Derby Week has its own theme and schedule.
| Date | Event | Gates Open | First Race |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, April 25 | Opening Day | 11:30 AM | 12:45 PM |
| Sunday, April 26 | Sunday Funday | 11:30 AM | 12:45 PM |
| Monday, April 27 | Dawn at the Downs (no racing) | N/A | N/A |
| Tuesday, April 28 | 502’sDay | 11:30 AM | 12:45 PM |
| Wednesday, April 29 | Winsday | 11:30 AM | 12:45 PM |
| Thursday, April 30 | Thurby | 10:30 AM | 12:45 PM |
| Friday, May 1 | Kentucky Oaks | 11:00 AM | 12:30 PM |
| Saturday, May 2 | Kentucky Derby | 9:00 AM | 11:00 AM |
Want to attend every race day? Churchill Downs offers the Run for the Roses Package at $296 per person. It covers general admission to all six Derby Week events: Opening Day, Sunday Funday, 502’sDay, Winsday, Thurby, Kentucky Oaks, and the Kentucky Derby. Note that Dawn at the Downs on Monday, April 27 is a morning training event with no racing and is not included.
FAQs About the 152nd Kentucky Derby
What is the Kentucky Derby 2026 purse and prize money?
The total purse is $5 million. First place gets $3.1 million, second $1 million, third $500,000, fourth $250,000, and fifth $150,000. The owner takes 80% of the winner’s share. The trainer and jockey each get 10%.
Is there a dress code for the Kentucky Derby 2026?
General admission and the infield have no formal rules. Reserved seating, clubhouse sections, and dining rooms expect smart casual at minimum. Most fans go further than that. Men wear blazers or linen suits with a hat or bow tie. Women pick spring dresses with fascinators or wide-brim hats. Check your ticket type before race day.
Can I bring kids to the Kentucky Derby 2026?
Yes. Children 12 and under get in free at the Infield Gate with a paying adult, up to 4 kids per adult. Frontside general admission still requires a ticket for kids. Strollers are fine in the infield. Diaper bags go through security separately from your one personal bag.
What happens right before the Kentucky Derby race?
The 30 minutes before post time are part of the show. Horses head to the paddock to get saddled. The post parade brings all 20 horses onto the track in order. The University of Louisville marching band plays “My Old Kentucky Home” as the field passes the grandstand. Most fans sing along. Then the gates load and the race is seconds away.
What is the Triple Crown?
A horse wins the Triple Crown by taking the Kentucky Derby on May 2, the Preakness Stakes on May 16, and the Belmont Stakes on June 6 in the same year. Both the Preakness and Belmont run at temporary venues in 2026. The Preakness moves to Laurel Park while Pimlico is rebuilt. The Belmont runs at Saratoga at 1¼ miles, shorter than the traditional 1½ miles, while Belmont Park is renovated. Only 13 horses have ever swept all three. Justify in 2018 was the last to do it.
Are tickets still available for the Kentucky Derby 2026?
Most reserved sections are sold out. A few premium options may still be open. Check the full Kentucky Derby 2026 tickets guide for current availability.
What is the weather like at Churchill Downs on Derby Day?
Louisville in early May averages 65 to 72°F. Rain is common. The 2024 race ran on a sloppy track. Pack a small umbrella, but keep it under 36 inches or security will turn it away. Wear comfortable shoes since the grounds mix grass, gravel, and pavement.
The Kentucky Derby 2026 post time is 6:57 PM ET on Saturday, May 2 at Churchill Downs. Gates open at 9:00 AM ET and 14 races run through to 8:33 PM ET. Use every time in this guide to plan your day so you do not miss a moment of the 152nd Run for the Roses.
