Churchill Downs Incorporated and NBC Sports jointly announced that the Longines Kentucky Oaks will air in primetime for the first time ever in 2026.

The move is a change from recent years. In recent years, NBC Sports aired the Kentucky Oaks on Bravo and more recently, both the USA Network and Peacock. Because of coverage not being on NBC itself, Louisville’s NBC affiliate WAVE-3 was able to have their coverage broadcast live from the racetrack. However, races had to be delayed due to rights issues. What this move means is that if Kentuckiana viewers want to watch the WAVE-3 coverage of the Kentucky Oaks, they’ll have to do so through the WAVE-3 app or an alternate channel.

The 152nd Kentucky Oaks, featuring thoroughbred racing’s best three-year-old fillies, will be presented on Friday, May 1, 2026, at 8 PM ET on NBC and Peacock. This does not mean that the race itself will start at 8 PM according to Churchill Downs. It will be run at some point during the 8 PM hour. What effect this has for the Derby Eve parties, which usually last into the night, remains to be determined. More on those parties in a moment.

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.”

This past year, NBC Sports broadcast five hours of live coverage from Churchill Downs on Kentucky Oaks day, beginning at 1 PM ET on USA Network and Peacock. According to Churchill Downs, gates will open at 11 AM with the first race going off at 12:30 PM. Nothing is known yet about where those earlier races will be broadcast.

As was just written earlier, the move will have an impact on the traditional Derby Eve parties such as the Barnstable Barn Gala, Unbridled Eve Derby Gala, Silks Bash Derby Eve, etc. If you thought parties were local to just Louisville, you’re sadly mistaken. There are parties that even take place in Lexington, such as the Poor Man’s Harlan County Derby Eve Party. They partied from 6 PM to midnight this year.

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).

NBC and Peacock will present their coverage of the Kentucky Oaks starting at 8 PM ET on May 1, 2026.

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