NBC Sports will showcase the 2026 GI Longines Kentucky Oaks in prime time for the first time ever, Churchill Downs Incorporated announced Thursday.
The 152nd Kentucky Oaks, featuring racing’s best 3-year-old fillies, will air Friday, May 1, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. The event’s traditions centered around fashion and women’s health advocacy will remain central pillars of the pageantry — now culminating in a twilight finish.
“We are excited to present the Kentucky Oaks in prime time 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.”
The prime-time shift represents a significant programming change for one of racing’s premier events.
“By moving the Kentucky Oaks to prime time, 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.”
The Kentucky Derby, America’s oldest continually held major sporting event, will follow on Saturday, May 2, 2026, on NBC and Peacock.
This announcement comes after NBC Sports and Churchill Downs revealed a multi-year extension of their partnership in May 2024. The relationship, which began with the 2001 Kentucky Derby, will make NBC the longest-running broadcast home of the event. NBCUniversal will become the first media company to present horse racing’s most prestigious event for three decades — spanning 32 editions from 2001 to 2032.
