The 2027 Kentucky Derby airs Saturday, May 1, 2027 on NBC. Here's the date, the network, and how to watch the race free over the air with no cable or subscription.
The 153rd Kentucky Derby is set for Saturday, May 1, 2027, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky — and the race itself airs on NBC, free over the air. Earlier build-up coverage through the afternoon sometimes airs on NBC's cable/streaming side, but the main broadcast window and the race itself land on NBC.
- Network
- NBC
- Date
- Saturday, May 1, 2027
- Where
- Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY
- Post time
- The Derby's post time has landed around 6:50–7:00 PM ET in recent years; NBC and Churchill Downs typically confirm the exact time closer to race week.
Why NBC, every year?
NBC Sports has broadcast the Kentucky Derby for years running, and the race is always the first Saturday in May — a tradition going back to 1875. Coverage typically builds through the afternoon before the main event, with NBC's broadcast window widening as post time approaches.
The good news if you don't have cable
The Kentucky Derby doesn't sit behind a cable paywall the way some big annual events do: NBC is a full-power broadcast network, so the race itself — the two most exciting minutes in sports — airs free over the air in HD, no subscription of any kind required. Some earlier build-up coverage may air on NBC's cable or streaming side instead, so the main broadcast window is what to check for on your local NBC affiliate.
The short version: You don't need cable or a streaming bundle to watch the Kentucky Derby. Point an antenna at your local NBC affiliate on May 1, 2027, and you'll get the race for free.
Not sure what channel NBC is where you live?
NBC affiliates broadcast on a different channel number in nearly every market. Search your city or zip code below to find your local NBC station, its exact channel number, and how strong a signal to expect — so you know well before post time whether your current antenna will pull it in cleanly.
We'll update this post with the field, morning-line odds, and exact post time as NBC and Churchill Downs confirm them closer to race day.
Need help picking out an antenna to watch the race? Check out our antenna buying guide.
