ITV Racing provides free-to-air television coverage of British horse racing across ITV1 and ITV4, with programmes also available through ITVX.
In 2026, ITV intends to broadcast more than 70 days of racing on ITV1 and ITVX as part of 116 days of live coverage across the year.
The schedule includes Britain’s biggest racing occasions, including the Cheltenham Festival, Grand National Festival, Derby Festival, Royal Ascot, Glorious Goodwood and York’s Ebor Festival.
ITV Racing also broadcasts regular Saturday racing, selected Sunday meetings, Friday evening fixtures and The Opening Show.
For racing fans, this means a substantial part of the British racing calendar can be watched without a paid racing-channel subscription.
ITV Racing Today
ITV Racing is shown on ITV1 or ITV4 depending on the meeting and broadcast schedule.
The easiest way to check whether ITV is showing racing today is to look at the current ITV Racing schedule or your television listings.
Coverage can include races from more than one racecourse within the same programme.
A typical Saturday broadcast might therefore show the principal races from one meeting alongside selected races from another track.
Major festivals generally receive more extensive coverage.
ITV’s 2026 schedule includes 116 days of racing, with more than 70 days intended for ITV1 and ITVX.
The exact channel and programme time change according to the fixture, so check the day’s schedule rather than assuming every Saturday broadcast starts at the same time.
Is Horse Racing on ITV Today?
ITV shows racing on many Saturdays as well as selected weekdays, Sundays and major festival days.
It does not show every British horse race.
If ITV Racing is broadcasting today, coverage will normally appear on:
ITV1
or
ITV4
with streaming through ITVX.
The Opening Show may also be available earlier in the day.
During major festivals, ITV can broadcast racing on several consecutive weekdays.
For example, ITV provided coverage across all three days of the 2026 Grand National Festival, while major Flat festivals such as Royal Ascot and York’s Ebor meeting receive multi-day coverage.
What Channel Is ITV Racing On?
ITV Racing is primarily shown on ITV1 and ITV4.
The channel depends on the meeting and the wider ITV television schedule.
The biggest fixtures are frequently shown on ITV1.
Other racing can appear on ITV4, particularly when another major sporting event or programme occupies the main channel.
All ITV Racing coverage covered by ITV’s current racing agreement is also simulcast through ITVX.
Scottish viewers can also see applicable coverage through STV and STV Player.
Is ITV Racing Free to Watch?
ITV Racing is free-to-air television coverage.
You do not need a subscription to Racing TV or Sky Sports Racing to watch races being broadcast by ITV.
Normal television licensing and platform requirements still apply.
ITV’s position in British racing is particularly important because it puts major meetings in front of a mainstream television audience rather than restricting them to specialist racing channels.
ITV reported that its racing viewing figures increased by 5% in 2025 compared with 2024.
How to Watch ITV Racing Live
There are several ways to watch ITV Racing.
ITV1
ITV1 carries many of the biggest racing days of the year.
These include coverage of major festivals and selected Saturday meetings.
ITV4
ITV4 provides additional racing coverage throughout the season.
It is also the regular television home of many editions of The Opening Show.
ITVX
ITV Racing broadcasts can be streamed through ITVX.
This replaces old references to ITV Hub, which was superseded by ITVX.
ITVX is useful if you want to watch on a phone, tablet, computer or compatible smart television rather than through a conventional television channel.
STV and STV Player
Viewers in Scotland can access applicable ITV Racing coverage through STV and STV Player.
YouTube
The Opening Show expanded its distribution in 2026.
ITV announced that from January 2026 the programme would stream on the ITV Racing YouTube channel as well as being broadcast on ITV4.
That provides another way to watch ITV’s racing preview programme.
Can You Watch ITV Racing on ITVX?
Yes.
ITV’s live racing coverage is simulcast on ITVX.
That means viewers can stream the same racing coverage being broadcast on ITV1 or ITV4 through ITV’s streaming service.
ITVX can be particularly useful when watching away from a conventional television.
The service also carries episodes of The Opening Show.
Can You Watch ITV Racing on Catch-Up?
ITVX provides access to ITV Racing programming and episodes of The Opening Show.
Availability can vary by programme and event.
If you miss a live broadcast, check ITVX for the programme rather than searching for the old ITV Hub service.
The Opening Show has its own ITVX programme page with episodes from the current series.
Can You Watch ITV Racing on a Phone?
Yes.
ITVX allows ITV Racing to be streamed on supported mobile devices.
This gives racing fans another option when they are away from home.
A bookmaker’s live-streaming service can also provide individual races subject to its eligibility requirements, but that is a separate service from ITV Racing.
If mobile betting and race viewing are important to you, our best horse racing betting apps comparison looks at racing apps in more detail.
Can You Watch ITV Racing on a Smart TV?
Yes, ITVX is available on a range of supported smart televisions and streaming devices.
You can also watch ITV1 or ITV4 through the normal television service where those channels are available.
For a major race such as the Grand National or Cheltenham Gold Cup, ITV1 is often the simplest free-to-air option.
ITV Racing Schedule 2026
ITV has significantly expanded the number of racing days intended for its main channel in 2026.
Its published plan covers 116 days of racing, with more than 70 intended to be shown on ITV1 and ITVX.
The 2026 schedule includes the established major festivals alongside newer broadcast initiatives.
These include:
- Cheltenham Festival
- Grand National Festival
- Derby Festival
- Royal Ascot
- Glorious Goodwood
- Ebor Festival
- British Champions Day
- Sunday Series
- Friday Night Live
- Regular Saturday Racing
The precise schedule changes throughout the season.
Rather than maintaining a long table of individual programme times that quickly becomes outdated, British Racecourses recommends checking ITV’s current listings for the next broadcast.
What Major Horse Races Does ITV Show?
ITV Racing broadcasts many of the most important races in Britain.
Cheltenham Gold Cup
The Cheltenham Gold Cup is the headline race on the final day of the Cheltenham Festival.
ITV broadcasts extensive coverage across the Festival.
Champion Hurdle
The Champion Hurdle is one of the principal races shown during ITV’s Cheltenham Festival coverage.
Queen Mother Champion Chase
The Queen Mother Champion Chase is another major championship race included in the Festival broadcasts.
Grand National
The Grand National is one of ITV Racing’s centrepiece broadcasts.
For the 2026 Grand National Festival, ITV showed all three days on ITV1 and STV with coverage also simulcast on ITVX.
The Derby
The Derby at Epsom forms one of the central events in ITV’s Flat racing coverage.
ITV’s current racing rights specifically include the Derby among the sport’s major free-to-air fixtures.
Royal Ascot
ITV provides extensive coverage throughout Royal Ascot.
The meeting is one of the centrepieces of the Flat racing season and includes Group 1 races throughout the week.
Glorious Goodwood
ITV covers the major races from the Goodwood Festival, including the Sussex Stakes, Nassau Stakes and Stewards’ Cup.
York Ebor Festival
The four-day Ebor Festival is another important part of ITV’s summer racing coverage.
ITV’s 2026 broadcast showed five live races on each day of the meeting.
Does ITV Show Every Race at a Meeting?
No.
ITV usually selects a number of races for terrestrial broadcast rather than showing every race on the racecard.
This becomes particularly noticeable at large festivals where racing can continue before or after the ITV programme.
For example, ITV might show five or six races from a card while other races remain available through specialist racing channels or other authorised streaming services.
Check the individual race time and ITV schedule if there is one particular race you want to watch.
Our today’s racecards page can help you check the day’s racing programme.
Does ITV Show Irish Horse Racing?
ITV Racing primarily concentrates on British racing.
Its regular schedule should not be treated as a complete television service for Irish racing.
British viewers wanting broader coverage of Irish meetings may need specialist racing channels or other authorised services.
ITV’s own racing coverage nevertheless includes Irish racing expertise within its broadcast team, particularly around major festivals where Irish-trained runners are central to the action.
Who Presents ITV Racing?
Ed Chamberlin
Ed Chamberlin is ITV Racing’s principal presenter.
He has fronted ITV’s racing coverage since the broadcaster regained terrestrial racing rights in 2017.
ITV confirmed that Chamberlin would continue to lead its BAFTA-winning racing team throughout 2026.
He fronts many of the biggest days of the year, including major National Hunt and Flat festivals.
Francesca Cumani
Francesca Cumani is a principal presenter of ITV’s Flat racing coverage.
She regularly presents alongside Ed Chamberlin at major Flat meetings.
Her role is particularly prominent through the summer, including meetings such as Royal Ascot, Glorious Goodwood and York’s Ebor Festival.
Oli Bell
Oli Bell is one of ITV Racing’s principal presenters and reporters.
He is particularly associated with The Opening Show.
ITV’s 2026 plans also have Bell leading its Sunday Series coverage.
He appears across the wider ITV Racing schedule as a presenter and on-course reporter.
Meg Nicholls
Meg Nicholls has an expanded presenting role within ITV Racing.
For 2026, ITV named Nicholls as the host of its new Friday Night Live racing coverage.
She is the daughter of multiple champion trainer Paul Nicholls and has established her own broadcasting career within racing.
ITV Racing Pundits and Experts
The team changes according to the meeting.
ITV uses former jockeys, racing broadcasters and analysts to provide different perspectives on the action.
Regular contributors include:
Sir Anthony McCoy
Twenty-time Champion Jockey Sir Anthony McCoy appears as an expert analyst at major National Hunt meetings.
His experience is particularly relevant at Cheltenham and Aintree.
Ruby Walsh
Former champion jockey Ruby Walsh is a major part of ITV’s analysis team.
ITV frequently uses Walsh’s analysis hub to examine race tactics, jumping and decisive moments.
Mick Fitzgerald
Grand National-winning jockey Mick Fitzgerald is a long-standing member of ITV’s racing team.
He works as an analyst and on-course reporter, particularly during National Hunt coverage.
Jason Weaver
Former jockey Jason Weaver is a regular analyst during ITV’s Flat racing coverage.
He frequently works alongside Ed Chamberlin and Francesca Cumani.
Adele Mulrennan
Adele Mulrennan provides analysis across ITV’s Flat racing broadcasts and appears regularly at major meetings.
Luke Harvey
Former jockey Luke Harvey is another long-standing member of ITV’s racing team and contributes analysis and on-course reporting.
Hayley Turner
Group 1-winning jockey Hayley Turner has appeared regularly as part of ITV’s Flat racing analysis team.
Kevin Blake
Racing analyst Kevin Blake contributes expert analysis, particularly around major meetings and Irish-trained runners.
Who Is the ITV Racing Commentator?
Richard Hoiles is ITV Racing’s principal race commentator.
ITV also uses other established commentators depending on the meeting and number of races being covered.
These include Mark Johnson and Stewart Machin.
At a large meeting, ITV can use more than one commentator across the programme.
For the 2026 Grand National Festival, ITV’s commentary team included Richard Hoiles, Mark Johnson and Stewart Machin.
What Does Matt Chapman Do on ITV Racing?
Matt Chapman provides betting-market information, interviews, reports and analysis from around the racecourse.
His role often involves talking to bookmakers, examining market moves and bringing a different style to ITV’s coverage.
He also appears on The Opening Show and at major racing festivals.
Who Reports From the Racecourse for ITV?
The exact reporting team changes from meeting to meeting.
Alongside the principal presenters and analysts, ITV regularly uses broadcasters including:
Oli Bell
Matt Chapman
Rishi Persad
Alice Plunkett
Luke Harvey
Sally Ann Grassick
Brian Gleeson
Different reporters cover the paddock, betting ring, starting areas, interviews and stories around the racecourse.
This is one reason ITV’s coverage is broader than simply showing the races themselves.
What Is The Opening Show?
The Opening Show is ITV Racing’s morning preview programme.
It looks ahead to the day’s racing before the main afternoon broadcast.
The programme typically includes:
- Race Previews
- Trainer And Jockey Interviews
- Betting Discussion
- Course Updates
- Analysis
- Features
- Major-Race Tips
Oli Bell is closely associated with presenting The Opening Show, although other ITV Racing presenters can host individual editions.
The programme is usually shown from the racecourse.
Additional weekday episodes are scheduled during major racing festivals.
Where Can You Watch The Opening Show?
The Opening Show is broadcast primarily through ITV4, with programmes also available on ITVX.
From January 2026, ITV also began streaming The Opening Show through the ITV Racing YouTube channel.
Some particularly important editions receive ITV1 coverage.
For example, ITV scheduled The Opening Show on ITV1 on the morning of the Grand National in 2026.
Check the individual day’s listing because the channel and start time can change.
What Time Is The Opening Show?
A common Saturday slot is around 9.30am, but there is no single time that applies to every edition.
Festival programmes can start at different times or run for longer.
Check the current ITV listing on the morning you intend to watch.
This is preferable to relying on an old fixed schedule.
What Is ITV Friday Night Live Racing?
Friday Night Live is a new element of ITV’s 2026 racing schedule.
The ARC Friday Night Live series began at Wolverhampton in January 2026.
Meg Nicholls hosts the coverage.
It gives ITV Racing another regular format outside its traditional Saturday-afternoon and festival broadcasts.
What Is the ITV Sunday Series?
The Sunday Series provides televised Sunday racing during selected parts of the season.
Oli Bell leads ITV’s Sunday Series coverage.
The series gives racecourses exposure in a television slot that differs from the traditional Saturday racing programme.
Check ITV’s current schedule for individual Sunday Series dates.
ITV Racing Tips
ITV Racing’s presenters and analysts discuss runners and make selections during race previews.
These are opinions, not guaranteed winners.
A presenter tipping a horse does not mean ITV or British Racecourses can know that it will win.
When considering an ITV Racing selection, look at the reasoning behind it.
Useful questions include:
Does the horse have suitable recent form?
Does today’s distance suit?
Will the ground help or hinder it?
Is the pace likely to suit?
Does the price represent value?
Our horse racing form resource explains how to read recent form, while our guide to analysing a horse race goes further into race assessment.
Are ITV Racing Tips Any Good?
There is no useful way to describe all ITV Racing tips as either good or bad.
Different members of the team make selections using different approaches.
Results also need to be judged across a meaningful sample rather than by remembering a few high-profile winners.
A tipster’s strike rate alone is not enough.
Price matters.
Backing ten winners from twenty bets sounds impressive, but it could still produce a loss if the winning prices are too short.
Conversely, a lower strike rate can produce a profit if enough selections win at higher prices.
This is why British Racecourses places greater emphasis on finding value in horse racing betting than blindly following a television selection.
Does ITV Racing Show the Betting Odds?
Yes.
ITV Racing discusses the betting market as part of its coverage.
Prices can be displayed or discussed before races, while market moves often form part of the analysis.
Remember that odds move.
A horse described as 5/1 earlier in the programme might be 4/1 or 6/1 by the time you check.
If you are unfamiliar with how racing prices work, our betting odds section explains fractional odds and potential returns.
What Is ITV7?
ITV7 is ITV Racing’s free-to-enter racing competition.
Players make selections across seven nominated races.
The competition is frequently promoted during ITV Racing broadcasts, with prizes attached to individual competitions.
The races used for ITV7 can come from meetings ITV covered that day.
The precise prize and competition rules can change, so check the current ITV7 information rather than relying on an old prize figure.
Do You Have to Bet to Enter ITV7?
ITV7 is promoted as a free-to-enter competition.
It is separate from placing a conventional bet with a bookmaker.
Check the current ITV7 terms for eligibility and entry requirements.
ITV Racing at the Cheltenham Festival
The Cheltenham Festival is one of the biggest events in ITV Racing’s calendar.
Coverage extends across the four-day meeting and includes the principal championship races.
These include:
Champion Hurdle
Queen Mother Champion Chase
Stayers’ Hurdle
Cheltenham Gold Cup
The Opening Show also receives extended festival coverage, with ITV’s analysts looking at the day’s major races before the live afternoon programme.
ITV’s Cheltenham broadcasts are particularly useful to casual racing viewers because the team explains the runners, betting markets and stories surrounding the meeting rather than assuming extensive racing knowledge.
ITV Racing at the Grand National
The Grand National Festival receives extensive ITV coverage.
In 2026, ITV broadcast all three days of the Aintree meeting on ITV1 and STV with simultaneous streaming through ITVX.
The main Grand National was shown on Saturday as the centrepiece of an extended programme.
ITV’s team at the 2026 meeting included Ed Chamberlin, Sir Anthony McCoy, Ruby Walsh, Mick Fitzgerald, Alice Plunkett, Matt Chapman, Rishi Persad, Brian Gleeson, Luke Harvey, Kevin Blake and Oli Bell.
Richard Hoiles, Mark Johnson and Stewart Machin provided race commentary across the meeting.
ITV Racing at Royal Ascot
Royal Ascot is one of ITV Racing’s flagship Flat meetings.
Coverage extends throughout the five-day fixture and includes the major Group races.
ITV’s Flat racing team typically takes a prominent role, with Ed Chamberlin and Francesca Cumani leading coverage alongside racing analysts and on-course reporters.
Royal Ascot combines top-level racing with a wider event, so ITV’s coverage also reflects the atmosphere and stories away from the track.
ITV Racing at Goodwood
ITV covers the major races throughout the Goodwood Festival.
In 2026, ITV scheduled five live races on each day of the meeting across ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player.
The major races include the Sussex Stakes, Nassau Stakes and Stewards’ Cup.
The meeting is an important part of ITV’s summer Flat racing coverage.
ITV Racing at York
York’s Ebor Festival receives multi-day ITV coverage.
For the 2026 meeting, ITV showed five live races each day from Wednesday to Saturday.
Ed Chamberlin and Francesca Cumani led the coverage, with Jason Weaver and Adele Mulrennan providing analysis, Ruby Walsh working from his analysis hub and Richard Hoiles commentating.
The programme culminates with the Ebor Handicap on Saturday.
Which Racecourses Are Shown on ITV?
ITV Racing visits racecourses throughout Britain.
The exact list changes according to the annual fixture and broadcast schedule.
Regularly televised courses include major venues such as:
- Aintree
- Ascot
- Cheltenham
- Doncaster
- Epsom
- Goodwood
- Haydock
- Kempton
- Newbury
- Newmarket
- Sandown
- York
ITV also broadcasts from smaller and less frequently televised racecourses during the year.
That breadth matters.
ITV’s 2026 plans specifically highlighted its intention to continue showing racing from tracks that the television team may visit only once during the season.
Readers planning a race day can use our UK racecourses section to find information on individual courses.
When Did Horse Racing Return to ITV?
ITV’s current era of racing coverage began on 1 January 2017.
ITV took over terrestrial coverage of British horse racing after Channel 4’s racing broadcasts ended.
This marked the return of regular horse racing to ITV after an absence of more than three decades.
The current ITV operation should therefore be dated from 2017 rather than from much older ITV racing broadcasts.
What Was the First Race Meeting Shown by the Current ITV Racing Team?
The current ITV Racing era began with New Year’s Day racing from Cheltenham on 1 January 2017.
That is an important correction to older descriptions of the service.
The first broadcast should not be confused with the Clarence House Chase, which takes place later in January.
Did ITV Replace Channel 4 Racing?
Yes.
Channel 4 had been the terrestrial home of British horse racing before ITV secured the rights from 2017.
ITV then became the free-to-air broadcaster for the major British racing fixtures covered by the agreement.
The change also introduced the current ITV Racing presentation team and The Opening Show.
How Long Does ITV Have Horse Racing Rights?
ITV’s current agreement covers exclusive free-to-air UK horse-racing coverage through the end of 2026.
The agreement provides well over 100 days of live racing coverage each year across ITV1 and ITV4, with programmes simulcast on ITVX.
Because broadcasting rights can change, this page should be updated when the next rights agreement is confirmed rather than assuming the existing arrangement continues indefinitely.
ITV Racing vs Racing TV
ITV Racing and Racing TV provide different types of racing coverage.
ITV Racing concentrates on selected meetings and races with free-to-air coverage aimed at a broad audience.
Racing TV is a specialist subscription racing channel with much more extensive coverage of meetings from its partner racecourses.
A regular racing follower might therefore use both for different purposes.
ITV is particularly useful for the biggest festivals and selected weekend racing.
A specialist channel is more appropriate if you want much broader day-to-day race coverage.
ITV Racing vs Sky Sports Racing
Sky Sports Racing is another specialist racing channel.
As with Racing TV, its racecourse rights determine which meetings it can show live.
ITV instead selects races under its free-to-air broadcast agreement.
The key distinction is therefore not simply which channel is “better”.
It is which broadcaster holds the rights to the meeting you want to watch and whether you want selected free-to-air coverage or a specialist racing service.
ITV Racing vs Bookmaker Live Streaming
Many bookmakers provide live race streams to eligible customers.
The requirements vary.
A bookmaker may require a funded account or qualifying bet before the stream becomes available.
ITV Racing is different because the televised races are available through free-to-air broadcasting rather than requiring a sportsbook wager.
Bookmaker streaming can nevertheless be useful for races not selected for ITV’s television programme.
When choosing a racing bookmaker, streaming is only one factor. Odds, each-way terms, withdrawals and overall race coverage also matter.
Our best horse racing betting sites page compares those wider features.
Why Doesn’t ITV Show Every Horse Race?
Broadcast rights are divided between different organisations and broadcasters.
ITV’s agreement covers selected free-to-air racing rather than every race staged in Britain.
The broadcaster also has finite programme time.
A Saturday afternoon can contain several race meetings with overlapping races.
ITV therefore builds a televised schedule around selected races, often moving between different courses during the programme.
Specialist racing channels provide the more comprehensive service for viewers who want to watch virtually an entire card from a particular meeting.
Can You Watch ITV Racing Abroad?
ITVX availability is subject to its geographical and service restrictions.
Do not assume that because a race is free to watch on ITV in Britain the same stream will be available in another country.
International racing broadcast rights can belong to different services.
If travelling, check the legitimate local broadcaster or streaming service for the country you are in.
How to Find Today’s ITV Racing Runners
The television programme will identify runners as each race approaches, but you do not need to wait for the broadcast.
Check the day’s racecards before ITV Racing begins.
Our today’s racecards page provides a starting point for reviewing the day’s meetings and runners.
Looking at the card beforehand also makes the television analysis easier to follow because you already know the runners, trainers, jockeys, draw and recent form.
How to Read an ITV Racing Racecard
A racecard contains much more than the names of the horses.
Useful information includes:
Recent Form
Age
Weight
Official Rating
Jockey
Trainer
Draw on the Flat
Distance
Going
Headgear
Previous Course Form
Learning to interpret those details makes ITV’s pre-race analysis considerably more useful.
Rather than simply hearing an analyst say a horse should appreciate the ground, you can understand why that matters and compare it with the rest of the field.
How to Use ITV Racing Without Blindly Following Tips
Television coverage is most useful as another source of information.
Listen to what the team says about:
The Horse’s Condition
Ground
Paddock Appearance
Tactics
Market Moves
Trainer Comments
Jockey Comments
Then compare that information with your own analysis.
Late information can matter.
A horse may become unsettled before the start, the ground can change after rain, or a jockey can explain that different tactics are planned.
That does not mean every television observation should automatically become a bet.
Use it as evidence rather than instruction.
ITV Racing FAQs
Is ITV Racing on today?
ITV shows racing on many Saturdays plus selected Sundays, Fridays and major festival weekdays. Check the current ITV Racing listings to confirm today’s channel and programme time.
What channel is horse racing on ITV today?
ITV Racing is normally broadcast on ITV1 or ITV4. Live coverage is also available through ITVX.
Can I watch ITV Racing on ITVX?
Yes. ITV’s racing broadcasts are simulcast on ITVX.
Is ITV Racing on ITV Hub?
ITV Hub has been replaced by ITVX. Current ITV Racing streaming should be accessed through ITVX.
Is ITV Racing free?
ITV provides free-to-air racing coverage. Normal television licensing and platform requirements apply.
Who is the main ITV Racing presenter?
Ed Chamberlin is ITV Racing’s principal presenter and continues to lead the team in 2026.
Does Francesca Cumani still present ITV Racing?
Yes. Francesca Cumani continues to present ITV’s Flat racing coverage alongside Ed Chamberlin.
Who presents The Opening Show?
Oli Bell is the presenter most closely associated with The Opening Show, although other ITV Racing broadcasters can host individual programmes.
Who is the ITV Racing commentator?
Richard Hoiles is ITV Racing’s principal race commentator. Mark Johnson and Stewart Machin also provide commentary.
Who are the ITV Racing pundits?
The wider team includes racing figures and broadcasters such as Ruby Walsh, Sir Anthony McCoy, Mick Fitzgerald, Jason Weaver, Adele Mulrennan, Luke Harvey, Hayley Turner and Kevin Blake.
What time does ITV Racing start?
There is no single start time. Afternoon programmes often begin in the early afternoon, but times vary depending on the meeting and schedule. Check the current ITV listing.
What time is The Opening Show?
A common Saturday time is around 9.30am, although festival editions and individual programmes can have different times.
Can I watch The Opening Show online?
Yes. The Opening Show is available through ITVX and, from 2026, ITV has also streamed it through the ITV Racing YouTube channel.
Does ITV show the Grand National?
Yes. The Grand National Festival is one of ITV Racing’s major annual broadcasts.
Does ITV show Cheltenham?
Yes. ITV broadcasts extensive coverage of the four-day Cheltenham Festival.
Does ITV show Royal Ascot?
Yes. Royal Ascot is one of the main events in ITV’s Flat racing schedule.
Does ITV show the Derby?
Yes. The Derby forms part of ITV’s major free-to-air Flat racing coverage.
Does ITV show every race at Cheltenham?
ITV shows the principal races within its broadcast schedule but does not necessarily televise every race staged at every meeting.
Can I watch horse racing on ITV without betting?
Yes. ITV Racing is television coverage and does not require you to place a bet.
Are ITV Racing tips guaranteed to win?
No. Selections made by ITV presenters and analysts are opinions. No racing tip is guaranteed to win.
What is ITV7?
ITV7 is ITV Racing’s free-to-enter competition based around selecting winners from seven nominated races. Check the current ITV7 terms and prize details before entering.
When did the current ITV Racing coverage start?
The current ITV Racing era began on 1 January 2017 when ITV became British racing’s terrestrial broadcaster following Channel 4.
How many days of racing is ITV showing in 2026?
ITV announced 116 days of racing coverage for 2026, with more than 70 days intended to be shown on ITV1 and ITVX.
Summary
ITV Racing remains the principal free-to-air home of British horse racing in 2026.
ITV’s schedule covers 116 racing days, with more than 70 intended for ITV1 and ITVX.
The biggest meetings include the Cheltenham Festival, Grand National Festival, Derby Festival, Royal Ascot, Glorious Goodwood and York’s Ebor Festival, alongside regular Saturday racing, the Sunday Series and the new Friday Night Live programme.
Ed Chamberlin leads ITV Racing, with Francesca Cumani playing a major role during the Flat season. Oli Bell fronts The Opening Show and Sunday Series, while the wider team includes leading former jockeys, analysts, reporters and commentators.
Richard Hoiles remains the principal race commentator.
Viewers can watch racing on ITV1, ITV4 and ITVX, with applicable Scottish coverage through STV and STV Player. The Opening Show is also now streamed through ITV Racing’s YouTube channel.
The important change for anyone returning to ITV Racing after a few years is that ITV Hub is no longer the streaming service. ITVX is now the place to watch ITV Racing online.
For the day’s runners, start with today’s racecards. For deeper race assessment, use our horse racing form and professional race analysis resources alongside the information provided during the ITV broadcast.
