The Run for the Roses returns for its 152nd outing. We've compiled everything you need to know about where to watch the Kentucky Derby, including free and global streaming options.
If you don't want to read any further, the Kentucky Derby will take place at approximately 6:57 p.m. ET and last around two minutes. Coverage will kick off earlier in the day, and we recommend tuning in on the early side to make sure you don't miss anything. The event will live stream on services like Peacock, DirecTV, and YouTube TV in the US, Sky Sports and Now Sports in the UK, and for free on Virgin Media 2 in Ireland. You can watch your service from anywhere by using a VPN, like Proton VPN.
*Sling TV's local channel coverage varies by region.
Where to watch the Kentucky Derby in the US
The Kentucky Derby airs on NBC in the US. Coverage will be available through several services, the cheapest of which is Peacock. Peacock Premium subscriptions start at $11 a month for ad-supported coverage, but you can upgrade to ad-free on-demand content and a full NBC live stream for $17 a month with Peacock Premium Plus.
American fans can also catch the action through a live TV streaming package, such as DirecTV or YouTube TV, both of which come with a free trial. YouTube TV's main plan normally costs $83 a month, but new users can get $15 a month off their first five months of service ($75 off in total) for a limited time. DirecTV carries NBC and other local channels in all of its signature plans, along with its MyNews and MySports genre packs, which cost $40 a month and $65 a month, respectively. Right now, new customers can get $20 a month off their first two months of MySports service.
If you don't mind not having a free trial, you can also catch NBC via Sling TV's Select or Blue plans, which cost $25 a month and $51 a month, respectively, when local channels are involved. However, local channel coverage varies by region on Sling, so we urge you to check what's available in your ZIP code before subscribing.
Where to watch the Kentucky Derby in the UK
The Kentucky Derby will be available through Sky Sports in the UK. Viewers can sign up for a Sky TV plan, but there's also an option to live stream Sky Sports coverage through Now Sports. Sky prices vary by plan and contract length. Now Sports offers month-to-month subscriptions, but there's also a single-day pass for £15, which can be useful for one-off events like this.
Where to watch the Kentucky Derby in Ireland
The Kentucky Derby will live stream for free on Virgin Media 2 in Ireland. The Virgin Media player carries loads of sporting events each year, often including several Champions League matches and other Triple Crown races.
How to watch the Kentucky Derby from anywhere
If you're away from the location where your streaming service works when the race kicks off, like Ireland, you can still keep up with your free watch options with the help of a VPN. VPNs, or virtual private networks, are easy-to-use tech tools that let people temporarily alter their virtual locations. They're especially popular services for those looking to keep up with their usual websites and apps while traveling abroad or boost their cybersecurity.
Proton VPN is one of the best VPNs on the market. It's fast, offers a massive selection of international servers, and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee if you find that it's not helping you out.
Note: The use of VPNs is illegal in certain countries, and using VPNs to access region-locked streaming content might constitute a breach of the terms of use for certain services. Business Insider does not endorse or condone the illegal use of VPNs.
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