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Horses race in the mud in an undercard race before the 139th Kentucky Derby.

Doug Pensinger/Getty

Don your best hats, because the Kentucky Derby is back for its landmark 150th year. If you can't make it to Churchill Downs yourself, don't fret. We'll show you all of your best options when it comes to how to watch the Kentucky Derby, including live streams.

Often called the greatest two minutes in sports, the Kentucky Derby has been an American tradition since 1875. Based at Churchill Down in Louisville, Kentucky, the day features several races, including the main event race, which takes place over 1.25 miles of racetrack. Mage won the race in 2023, but the record remains with Secretariat, who completed the race in just under 2 minutes in 1973.

Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about tuning in for the Kentucky Derby, including when you can expect to see the main event.

• See also: Where to watch the Madrid Open | How to watch NBA Playoffs | Where to watch Formula 1

Kentucky Derby quick links

• US: Peac**k ($5.99)
• UK: Now Sports (various)
• Ireland: Virgin Media 2 (FREE)
• Access streams from anywhere via ExpressVPN (30-day money-back guarantee)
• When: Saturday, May 4 at 6:57 p.m. ET / 11:57 p.m. BST / 6:57 a.m. AWST (Sunday)

How to watch the Kentucky Derby in the US

Kentucky Derby coverage falls under the NBCUniversal umbrella in the US. From 12 p.m. ET to 2:30 p.m. ET, coverage aired on USA Network and Peac**k. From 2:30 p.m. ET to 7:30 p.m. ET, coverage airs on NBC and Peac**k.

There are several races at Churchill Downs throughout the day, but the main Kentucky Derby event is scheduled for 6:57 p.m. ET and lasts about two minutes. For cord-cutters, you can live stream all of the action through Peac**k. Subscriptions start at $5.99 a month. 

How to watch the Kentucky Derby in the UK

The Kentucky Derby will air on Sky Sports in the UK. For British cord-cutters, you can stream this action through a Now TV account. Now Sports' one-off day memberships start at £14.99. 

How to watch the Kentucky Derby in Ireland

In Ireland, the Kentucky Derby will stream through Virgin Media 2. This is a free streaming option that requires no account creation, so viewers just need to navigate to the live TV portion of the website at race time.

How to watch the Kentucky Derby from anywhere

If you're outside of Ireland at race time but are still hoping to access the free Kentucky Derby live stream, you can use a VPN (virtual private network). VPNs are easy ways to temporarily alter your device's virtual location to access websites and apps that vary in availability from region to region. They're popular among those seeking increased internet privacy and access to their websites while traveling away from home.

If you're interested in trying out a VPN, our go-to is ExpressVPN, a beginner-friendly option with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Check out our ExpressVPN review for more information, and keep reading to learn how to use it. 

How to watch the Kentucky Derby with a VPN

• Sign up for a VPN if you don't have one.
• Install it on the device you're using to watch the race.
• Set the location to Ireland.
• Go to Virgin Media 2.
• Enjoy the Kentucky Derby.

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. Insider does not endorse or condone the illegal use of VPNs.

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