The 151st Preakness Stakes will take place at Laurel Park in 2026 – the first time in over 100 years it will not be held at Pimlico Race Course. While Pimlico, which is currently undergoing a major redevelopment, typically hosts more than 120,000 people, Laurel Park’s capacity is just 5,000, so it’s no surprise that 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 won’t be a Triple Crown winner this year either.
This is the shortest of the three Triple Crown races that run over 1 3⁄16 miles or 9.5 furlongs. The Chip Honcho remains one of the top contenders for 2026, primarily due to 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 whopping $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 the 2026 Preakness Stakes for free?
The 2026 Preakness Stakes is not directly available to stream for free, but those in the US and Canada can take advantage of free trials to catch the action without paying a dime.
In the US, you can take advantage of the free trial periods for 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 found.
In Canada, horse racing fans can use the 7-day FREE trial 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 anywhere
If you’re keen to watch the Preakness Stakes 2026, but you’re away from home and access to the event is geo-blocked, then you can always use a VPN to access it (provided you’re not violating any broadcasters’ T&Cs, of course). You might be surprised how easy it is to do.
Use NordVPN to watch the 2026 Preakness Stakes online from anywhere.
How to watch the 2026 Preakness Stakes online in the US
The 2026 Preakness Stakes will be broadcast live on NBC in the United States.
Cord cutters can catch all the action on NBC via Sling TVwhose Sling Blue package costs just $45 and is currently available at a 50% discount. 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 through the Premium subscription, which costs $10.99 per 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 gives free access to Peacock Premium.
Traveling abroad? If you are currently traveling outside the United States, you can use a VPN to watch the 2026 Preakness Stakes from anywhere in the world. We recommend NordVPN.
How to watch the Preakness Stakes 2026 online in the UK
The 2026 Preakness Stakes is shown live Sky Sports Racing in Great Britain. If you don’t have sports channels included in your Sky subscription, it will cost you £20/month to add them.
If you don’t fancy a full Sky subscription, you can watch the 2026 Preakness Stakes on Now Sports, which costs £14.99 for 24 hours or £34.99 for a full month.
Traveling outside the UK? Use a VPN to watch the Preakness Stakes 2026 from abroad. NordVPN is our recommended provider.
How to watch the 2026 Preakness Stakes in Australia
Unfortunately, the Preakness Stakes seems to have slipped through the cracks in Australia. If anything changes, we’ll let you know here.
If you are American, British or Canadian traveling in Oz right nowuse NordVPN to stream your local content library and watch the 2026 Preakness Stakes.
Preakness Stakes 2026 horses and riders
- The Taj Mahal (Sheldon Russell)
- Ocelli (Tyler Gaffalione)
- Croup (Junior Alvarado)
- Robusta (Rafael Bejarano)
- Talking (Irad Ortiz Jr.)
- Chip Honcho (José Ortiz)
- Hell we did (Luis Sáez)
- Bull at the Horns (Micah Husbands)
- Iron Honor (Flavien Prat)
- Napoleon Solo (Paco Lopez)
- Corona de Oro (John R. Velazquez)
- Incredible (Jaime Torres)
- Great whites (Alex Achard)
- Beautiful boy Miah (Ricardo Santana Jr.)
Why isn’t the 2026 Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course?
Pimlico Race Course, the spiritual home of the Preakness Stakes, is currently undergoing a major remodel in the neighborhood of $250 million.
The clubhouse and old grandstand have been demolished, but with continued work, it means The Run for the Black-Eyed Susans will be held in nearby Laurel Park, Maryland.
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