The 151st Preakness Stakes will take place at Laurel Park in 2026 – the first time in over 100 years it won’t be held at Pimlico Race Course. While Pimlico, currently undergoing major redevelopment, typically hosts more than 120,000 people, Laurel Park’s capacity is a mere 5,000, so it’s no surprise tickets are already sold out.
Often known as the “Middle Jewel,” this is the second leg of the American Triple Crown for three-year-old Thoroughbreds, held after the Kentucky Derby and before the Belmont Stakes. After winning the Kentucky Derby, Golden Tempo will not run in the Preakness Stakes, meaning there will not be a Triple Crown winner this year either.
This is the shortest of the three Triple Crown races, run over 1 3⁄16 miles, or 9.5 furlongs. Chip Honcho remains one of the top contenders for 2026, primarily because of its No. 6 post position, which has produced 17 winners in the event’s history. Besides Chip Honcho, Iron Honor, Taj Mahal, and Incredibolt are among the other favorites to claim the massive $1.2 million prize money.
Read on to find out how you can watch the 2026 Preakness Stakes live online from anywhere in the world.
Can I watch Preakness Stakes 2026 for free?
Preakness Stakes 2026 isn’t directly available to stream for free, but those in the US and Canada can benefit from free trials to catch the action without paying a penny.
In the US, you can benefit from the free trial periods of live TV services such as YouTube TV and Hulu+Live TV.
You can also tune in to Preakness 2026 on Peacock, which is available with a 30-day trial of Walmart+ for $1 thanks to this handy trick we’ve found.
In Canada, horse racing fans can use the 7-day FREE trial of the Citytv+ Prime Video channel.
Outside your home country at the moment? Use NordVPN to unlock your free stream from anywhere in the world.
How to watch Preakness Stakes 2026 online from anywhere
If you’re keen to watch Preakness Stakes 2026 but you’re away from home and access to the event is geo-blocked, then you could always use a VPN to access it (assuming you’re not breaching any broadcaster T&Cs, of course). You may be surprised by how simple it is to do.
Use NordVPN to watch the 2026 Preakness Stakes online from anywhere.
How to watch 2026 Preakness Stakes online in the US
The 2026 Preakness Stakes is being broadcast live on NBC in the US.
Cord-cutters can catch all the action on NBC via Sling TV, whose Sling Blue package costs just $45 and is currently available for 50% off. Other live TV options include YouTube TV (10-day free trial) and Hulu+Live TV.
Alternatively, you can stream this year’s Preakness Stakes on Peacock. The event is available via the Premium subscription, which is $10.99 a month.
Or, you can add Peacock Premium to your Apple TV subscription and pay $14.99/month for both. As we’ve mentioned, another option is to get a 30-day Walmart+ trial (for just $1), which provides free access to Peacock Premium.
Traveling abroad? If you’re currently traveling outside the US, you can use a VPN to watch the 2026 Preakness Stakes from anywhere in the world. We recommend NordVPN.
How to watch Preakness Stakes 2026 online in the UK
The 2026 Preakness Stakes is being shown live on Sky Sports Racing in the UK. If you don’t have Sports channels included in your Sky subscription, it’ll cost you £20/month to add them.
If you don’t fancy a full-blown Sky subscription, you can watch the 2026 Preakness Stakes on Now Sports, which is £14.99 for 24 hours or £34.99 for a whole month.
Traveling outside the UK? Use a VPN to watch Preakness Stakes 2026 from abroad. NordVPN is our recommended provider.
How to watch Preakness Stakes 2026 in Australia
Unfortunately, the Preakness Stakes appears to have slipped through the cracks in Australia. If anything changes we’ll let you know right here.
If you’re an American, Brit, or Canadian traveling in Oz right now, use NordVPN to stream your local content library and watch Preakness Stakes 2026.
Preakness Stakes 2026 horses and riders
- Taj Mahal (Sheldon Russell)
- Ocelli (Tyler Gaffalione)
- Crupper (Junior Alvarado)
- Robusta (Rafael Bejarano)
- Talkin (Irad Ortiz Jr.)
- Chip Honcho (José Ortiz)
- The Hell We Did (Luis Saez)
- Bull by the Horns (Micah Husbands)
- Iron Honor (Flavien Prat)
- Napoleon Solo (Paco Lopez)
- Corona de Oro (John R. Velazquez)
- Incredibolt (Jaime Torres)
- Great White (Alex Achard)
- Pretty Boy Miah (Ricardo Santana Jr.)
Why is Preakness Stakes 2026 not at Pimlico Race Course?
Pimlico Race Course, the spiritual home of the the Preakness Stakes, is currently undergoing major redevelopment in the region of $250 million.
The clubhouse and old grandstand have been torn down, but with work continuing it means The Run for the Black-Eyed Susans will be held at nearby Laurel Park, Maryland.
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