Watch Royal Ascot 2026as the Queen Anne Stakes (9:30am ET / 2:30pm BST) headlines Day 1 of the festival. The traditional inaugural race is worth £800,000, of which £453,680 will go to the winner, making the Group 1 graded one-mile race the third most lucrative event of the five-day festival.
Notable Speech, ridden by William Buick, is the pre-race favourite, although last year’s Queen Anne Stakes winner Docklands, ridden by Mark Zahra, is back to defend his crown.
There are 35 races in total across the five-day festival at Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire, including eight Group 1 races. The King Charles III Stakes (10:40am ET / 3:40pm BST) and the St James’ Palace Stakes (11:20am ET / 4:20pm BST) are the other main attractions on Day 1.
Overpass and Joshua Parr are in the hunt for glory in the King Charles III Stakes, while 2,000 Guineas winner Bow Echo, ridden by Billy Loughnane, looks the one to beat in the St James’ Palace Stakes.
Read on for our guide on where to watch Royal Ascot 2026 live streams online, on TV and potentially free wherever you are.
Can you watch Royal Ascot 2026 for free?
Yeah. Royal Ascot 2026 is broadcast free of charge ITVX in the UK, Virgin multimedia game in Ireland, and 7Plus in Australia.
Traveling abroad right now? You can use a VPN to watch Royal Ascot as if you were at home. NordVPN It’s our best pick of the options.
How to watch Royal Ascot 2026 using a VPN
A VPN is useful software that can make your device appear as if you are in your home country, so you can unblock your usual service. Best VPN right now? We recommend NordVPN – it does everything and offers up to 75% off.
How to watch Royal Ascot 2026 live streams in the US
Horse racing fans in the US can watch complete coverage of Royal Ascot at Peacock.
He Peacock Pricing starts at $10.99/month or $109.99/year for a plan that includes live sports.
Saturday’s action will also be shown on NBC.
If you don’t have the cable channel, it’s available through Sling, specifically the Blue plan, which starts at $45.99 a month. Includes NBC, ABC and Fox in select locations, plus FS1, USA Network and FX.
Alternatively, NBC is also broadcast on fubo, youtube television and Hulu + Live TVeach of which offers a free trial to new users.
Visiting the US from the UK or Ireland? Wear NordVPN to watch free coverage of Royal Ascot.
Can I watch Royal Ascot 2026 in Canada?
Royal Ascot seems to have gone unnoticed in Canada.
If you’re from the UK or Ireland, a VPN will help you connect for free. NordVPN is our recommended provider and you can find out why with our in-depth NordVPN review.
How to watch Royal Ascot 2026 live streams in the UK
In the UK, Royal Ascot is broadcast free-to-air ITV1 and ITV4with live streaming available via ITVX streaming service.
Live coverage begins at 1.30pm BST each day of the festival.
All you need is an account, a TV license and a UK postcode (e.g. HA9 0WS). Register here!
Outside the UK? You will need download a VPNas detailed above, to access your free Royal Ascot stream from abroad.
How to watch Royal Ascot 2026 live streams in Australia
Royal Ascot is broadcast free-to-air 7Plus in Australia.
It is also available through Sky Thoroughbred Central via Foxtel (streamed via Foxtel now).
Not in Australia? Wear NordVPN if you are away from home, to be able to access your usual equestrian coverage from anywhere.
What is the schedule for Royal Ascot 2026?
Tuesday June 16
2.30pm – Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1)
15:05 – Coventry bets
3:40 p.m. – King Charles III Betting (Group 1)
4.20pm – St James’ Palace Stakes (Group 1)
5:00 pm – Ascot Stakes (handicap)
17:35 – Wolferton Betting
6:10 p.m. – Copper Horse Betting (Handicap)
Wednesday June 17
2.30pm – Queen Mary Bets
3:05 p.m. – Queen’s Vase
3:40 p.m. – Duke of Cambridge Stakes
4:20 p.m. – Prince of Wales (Group 1)
5:00 p.m. – Royal Hunt Cup (Heritage Handicap)
5.35pm – Kensington Palace Stakes (handicap)
6.10pm – Windsor Castle Stakes
Thursday June 18
2.30pm – Norfolk Stakes
15:05 – King George V Stakes (handicap)
3.40pm – Ribblesdale Betting
16.20 – Gold Cup (Group 1)
5pm – Britannia Stakes (Heritage Handicap)
5.35pm – Hampton Court Stakes
6.10pm – Buckingham Palace Stakes (handicap)
Friday June 19
2:30 p.m. – Albany Stakes
3:05 p.m. – Commonwealth Cup (Group 1)
3.40pm – Duke of Edinburgh Stakes (Handicap)
4:20 p.m. – Coronation game (Group 1)
5:00 pm – Sandringham Stakes (handicap)
5.35pm – King Edward VII Stakes
6.10pm – Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes (Handicap)
Saturday June 20
2.30pm – Chesham Stakes
3:05 p.m. – Hardwicke Betting
3.40pm – Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Betting (Group 1)
4.20pm – Jersey Bets
5pm – Wokingham Stakes (Heritage Handicap)
5:35 p.m. – Golden Gates Stakes (handicap)
6:10 p.m. – Queen Alexandra Bets
(All times BST)
Who are the runners and jockeys for the 2026 Royal Ascot Queen Anne Stakes?
The Gift of Cicero and Jason Watson
Damiso and James Doyle
Docklands and Mark Zahra
First conquest and Ryan Moore
More Thunder and Tom Marquand
Notable speech and William Buick
Opera Ballo and Billy Loughnane
Ten Bob Tony and Kieran Shoemark
Zeus Olympios and Clifford Lee
What is the prize money for the Royal Ascot Gold Cup 2026?
The Royal Ascot Gold Cup 2026 purse totals £700,000, of which £396,970 goes to the winner. However, it is not the most lucrative race at the festival.
The Prince of Wales and Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee bets are each worth $1 million. In both cases, the winner will receive a share worth £567,100. Meanwhile, the Queen Anne Stakes is worth £800,000 with the winner taking £453,680.
Royal Ascot’s total prize pool across the 35 races is £10.65 million.
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