How to Watch the Grand National 2026: TV Times, Live Stream & Radio

ITV Racing: Full TV Coverage

ITV holds exclusive UK terrestrial broadcasting rights for the Grand National. Their coverage on Saturday 11 April runs as follows:

ITV1 Schedule

Time	Programme
1:00pm	ITV Racing: Grand National Day — build-up begins
1:45pm	First race of the day
2:25pm	Supporting race
3:00pm	Supporting race
3:35pm	Supporting race
4:15pm	Pre-National build-up — parade, declarations, jockey interviews
5:15pm	The Randox Grand National
5:30pm (approx.)	Post-race reaction, winner's enclosure
6:00pm	Final race of the day

Coverage is presented by Ed Chamberlin, with analysis from ITV's racing team including Francesca Cumani, Luke Harvey, and Mick Fitzgerald. The paddock coverage — watching horses being saddled and assessing their condition — typically starts from 4:30pm and is a key part of the pre-race ritual.

What to Watch For in the Build-Up

The period between 4:15pm and 5:15pm is when the betting market moves most. Watch for:

• Jockey interviews — body language and confidence matter. Jockeys rarely criticise their own ride publicly, but the enthusiasm (or lack of it) tells a story.
• The parade — horses walk in front of the stands before heading to the start. Sweating, unsettled behaviour, or a horse fighting its handler can indicate stress. Calm, relaxed horses tend to perform better over four miles.
• Late market moves — ITV shows the live betting market on screen. A horse shortening from 20/1 to 12/1 in the final 30 minutes is significant and usually reflects informed money.

Live Streaming, Radio & Watching Abroad

ITVX (Free Live Stream)

ITV's streaming service ITVX carries the full ITV Racing broadcast live and free. You need to create a free account (email and password only — no payment required). The stream works on:

• Web browsers (itvx.com)
• iOS and Android apps
• Smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku)

The stream typically runs 30–60 seconds behind the live TV broadcast. If you are betting live, be aware of this delay.

BBC Radio 5 Live

BBC Radio 5 Live provides full commentary of the Grand National. The radio broadcast is ideal if you are at the course (where big-screen coverage can be hard to see from certain enclosures), driving, or want expert analysis alongside your TV viewing.

Radio coverage starts at approximately 4:00pm on 5 Live Sports Extra, moving to the main 5 Live frequency for the National itself at 5:00pm.

You can listen via:

• FM radio (693/909 MW, or local FM frequencies)
• BBC Sounds app (free, live)
• Smart speakers ("play BBC Radio 5 Live")

Watching from Outside the UK

The Grand National is broadcast internationally in over 140 countries:

• Ireland — Virgin Media Television carries the ITV Racing feed
• USA — NBC Sports typically broadcasts the race (check local listings)
• Australia — Racing.com or Sky Racing carry UK racing
• Rest of world — Check local sports broadcasters. Many betting apps (Bet365, Paddy Power) offer live streaming to account holders with a funded account

ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK. A VPN may allow access from abroad, though this is against ITV's terms of service.

Pub Screening

Most pubs with a television will show the Grand National. It is one of the few horse racing events that pubs actively promote — alongside Cheltenham's Gold Cup day and the Epsom Derby. No subscription is required since ITV is free-to-air.

Arrive by 4:00pm to get a seat. Popular pubs in city centres will be busy from 3:00pm onwards.

Frequently Asked Questions

What channel is the Grand National on?

ITV1. Coverage starts at 1:00pm on Saturday 11 April, with the Grand National race itself at 5:15pm. No subscription is required.

Can I watch the Grand National for free?

Yes. ITV is a free-to-air channel available on Freeview, Freesat, Sky, and Virgin Media. ITVX also streams the race live for free (registration required, no payment).

What time is the Grand National 2026?

The race is scheduled for 5:15pm BST on Saturday 11 April 2026. The exact off time may vary by a few minutes depending on how quickly the field loads at the start. For the complete race-by-race schedule, see our timings guide.

How long does the Grand National take?

The race typically takes between 8 minutes 30 seconds and 10 minutes, depending on the pace and ground conditions. The course record is 8 minutes 47.8 seconds, set by Mr Frisk in 1990.

Can I watch the Grand National on my phone?

Yes. The ITVX app (free) streams the race live on iOS and Android. Most major bookmaker apps (Bet365, Paddy Power, William Hill) also offer live streaming to customers with a funded account.

Will the Grand National be on BBC?

BBC Radio 5 Live provides live commentary, but the BBC does not hold TV rights. The TV broadcast is exclusively on ITV.

I am outside the UK — how can I watch?

Check your local sports broadcaster. In Ireland, it is on Virgin Media. In the US, NBC Sports typically carries the race. Bookmaker streaming (via funded accounts) is available in many countries. See our full preview for more information.