The 151st Preakness Stakes will be held at Laurel Park in 2026, the first time in more than 100 years that it will not be held at Pimlico Race Course. While Pimlico, currently undergoing major redevelopment, typically holds 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 “Jewel in the Middle,” this is the second leg of the American Triple Crown for three-year-old Thoroughbreds, which takes place after the Kentucky Derby and before the Belmont Stakes. After winning the Kentucky Derby, Golden Tempo will not compete in the Preakness Stakes, meaning there will be no Triple Crown winner this year either.
This is the shortest of the three Triple Crown races, it is completed in 1 3⁄16 miles, or 9.5 furlongs. Chip Honcho remains a top contender for 2026, primarily due to his No. 6 ranking, which has produced 17 winners in the history of the event. In addition to Chip Honcho, Iron Honor, Taj Mahal and Incredibolt are among the other favorites to claim the huge prize money of $1.2 million.
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 benefit from free trials to watch the action without paying a dime.
In the US, you can benefit from free trial periods of live TV services such as youtube television 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 FREE 7-day trial of the Citytv+ Prime Video Channel.
Outside your home country at the moment? Wear NordVPN to unlock your free streaming from anywhere in the world.
How to watch Preakness Stakes 2026 online from anywhere
If you want to watch the 2026 Preakness Stakes but you’re away from home and access to the event is geo-blocked, you can always use a VPN to access (assuming you’re not violating the broadcaster’s terms and conditions, of course). You will be surprised how simple 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 airs live on NBC in the US.
Cord cutters can watch all the action on NBC via Honda TVwhose Sling Blue package is 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 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 a month for both. As we mentioned, another option is to get a 30-day trial of Walmart+ (for just $1), which provides free access to Peacock Premium.
Are you traveling abroad? If you are 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 airs live on air sports racing in the UK. If you don’t have sports channels included in your Sky subscription, adding them will cost you £20 a month.
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 Preakness Stakes 2026 from abroad. NordVPN is our recommended supplier.
How to watch the 2026 Preakness Stakes in Australia
Unfortunately, the Preakness Stakes seems to have flown under the radar in Australia. If anything changes, we’ll let you know right here.
If you are American, British or Canadian traveling to Oz right nowwear NordVPN to stream your local content library and watch the 2026 Preakness Stakes.
Preakness Stakes 2026 horses and jockeys
- Taj Mahal (Sheldon Russell)
- Ocelli (Tyler Gaffalione)
- rump (Junior Alvarado)
- robust (Rafael Bejarano)
- talking (Irad Ortiz Jr.)
- Chip Honcho (Jose Ortiz)
- The hell we made (Luis Sáez)
- Bull by the horns (Micah Husbands)
- iron honor (Flavien Prat)
- Napoleon solo (Paco López)
- gold crown (Juan R. Velázquez)
- Incredibolt (Jaime Torres)
- great white (Alex Achard)
- Pretty boy Miah (Ricardo Santana Jr.)
Why isn’t the 2026 Preakness Stakes held at Pimlico Race Course?
Pimlico Race Course, the spiritual home of the Preakness Stakes, is currently undergoing a major renovation in the region at a cost of $250 million.
The clubhouse and old grandstand have been torn down, but if work continues, it means The Run for the Black-Eyed Susans will take place in nearby Laurel Park, Maryland.
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Access a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protect your online security and strengthen your online privacy when you are abroad. We do not support or tolerate illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Future Publishing does not endorse or approve the consumption of paid pirated content.
