Preakness Stakes 2026: Live Stream, TV Channel, Start Time and How to Watch
The 151st running of the Preakness Stakes is set for Saturday as horse racing fans once again turn their attention to the second leg of the Triple Crown. This year's event carries a different feel than usual, largely because the race is temporarily leaving its historic home at Pimlico Race Course during an ongoing redevelopment project.
Instead, the 2026 Preakness Stakes will take place at Laurel Park, located in Laurel, Maryland, roughly midway between Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Even without Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo in the field, there is still major intrigue surrounding this year's race, including several legitimate contenders hoping to seize a huge moment on one of horse racing's biggest stages.
Thoroughbred racing's next defining moment.
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) May 13, 2026
: 151st Preakness Stakes, Saturday 4pm ET on NBC and Peacock pic.twitter.com/ILGqYqmAZH
How To Watch the 2026 Preakness Stakes
The 2026 Preakness Stakes will air nationally on NBC, with streaming available through Peacock.
TV And Streaming Information
- Date: Saturday, May 16
- Race Coverage Begins: 1 p.m. ET
- Main Broadcast: 4 p.m. ET
- Estimated Post Time: 6:50 p.m. ET
- Location: Laurel Park in Laurel, Maryland
- TV Channel: NBC
- Live Stream: Peacock, NBCSports.com
Fans without cable access can also stream the race through services that carry NBC, including YouTube TV and DirecTV.
Several Horses Enter the Spotlight After Kentucky Derby
With Golden Tempo officially skipping the race to focus on the Belmont Stakes, attention now shifts to a wide-open field looking to capture the second jewel of the Triple Crown.
Among the notable contenders is Ocelli, who finished third in the Kentucky Derby and now looks to build momentum at a slightly shorter distance. Taj Mahal also enters the weekend with significant buzz after remaining undefeated at Laurel Park, giving the local favorite plenty of support heading into Saturday.
The 2026 field also includes Chip Honcho, Napoleon Solo, Incredibolt and Iron Honor, creating one of the more intriguing Preakness lineups in recent memory.
Laurel Park Takes Center Stage in 2026
The venue change remains one of the biggest storylines surrounding this year's event. Pimlico Race Course has hosted the Preakness for generations, but renovations forced organizers to temporarily move the race to Laurel Park for 2026.
Even with the new setting, the Preakness remains one of the most anticipated weekends in horse racing. Fans can expect extensive coverage throughout the day, including prep races, Black-Eyed Susan Stakes festivities and full Triple Crown analysis leading into Saturday evening's main event.
Related: Will Golden Tempo Run the Preakness Stakes After Kentucky Derby Win?
Related: Preakness Stakes 2025 Results & Payouts After Journalism's Fantastic Finish
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This story was originally published May 15, 2026 at 4:00 PM.