The Kentucky Oaks will be moving to a prime-time slot for its 152nd running of the 3-year-old fillies race. Scheduled for 8 p.m. on NBC and available for streaming on Peacock, the race will take place on May 1, 2026, as announced by Churchill Downs and NBC Sports on Thursday.
Traditionally held earlier in the day before the Kentucky Derby, often before 6 p.m., this $1.5 million event will now be contested later, making it a twilight race in the Eastern time zone. Bill Carstanjen, CEO of Churchill Downs, emphasized that shifting the Kentucky Oaks to prime time aims to highlight this significant horse racing tradition on a national platform, helping to attract new audiences and offer memorable experiences for fans.
Following the Oaks, the 152nd Kentucky Derby is set to air on NBC on May 2nd and will also be streamed on Peacock. The Derby typically airs just after 7 p.m., and this year’s event marked the highest viewership since 1989, drawing a record average audience of 17.7 million and peaking at 21.8 million viewers during the race’s key moments. NBC Sports and Churchill Downs recently extended their broadcasting agreement through 2032, making NBC the longest-running network to cover the Derby, having first aired it in 2001.
Fan Take: This move to prime time for the Kentucky Oaks signifies a major step in elevating the visibility of the sport’s premier fillies race, potentially drawing larger crowds and boosting interest across broader demographics. For horse racing fans, it represents a promising opportunity to grow the sport’s fan base and increase excitement around these tradition-rich events.
