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How to watch Grand National 2026: TV channel, live stream and phone
Your guide to watching the Grand National 2026 on TV and live stream this week.
(Photo by Tom Jenkins/Getty Images)
- Ned Holmes
Published: Thursday, 9 April 2026 at 10:56 am
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The Grand National returns to our screens on Saturday, with 34 horses and jockeys set to ride for glory in the biggest race in the British calendar.
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The showpiece event of the Aintree Festival sees competitors jump 30 fences across the four miles, two and a half furlongs route, and offers a £1 million total purse, including £500,000 for the winner.
The late withdrawal of defending champion and favourite Nick Rockett means an opportunity for the rest of the field – and perhaps the punters.
Another Willie Mullins horse, I Am Maximus, who won the Grand National two years ago, is now the shortest odds, while Grangeclare West, Spanish Harlem, Lecky Watson, and Champ Kiely are also among those tipped to challenge.
Since its inception in 1839, the Grand National has become a fixture of the British sporting calendar and attracts audiences far beyond just racing fans – with millions set to tune in from across the UK and around the world.
RadioTimes.com brings you all the details you need to know for Grand National 2026, including the full TV schedule.
How to watch Grand National on TV
Fans can tune in to watch the race for free on ITV1 and ITVX from 3:15pm.
There is coverage of the rest of the Grand National Festival, which runs Thursday to Saturday, on ITV as well.
Live stream Grand National online and via phone
You can also live stream the festival via ITVX on a range of devices, including laptops, smartphones and tablets.
The last two races on Thursday and Friday, as well as Saturday's final race, will be shown online at Racing.tv.
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Grand National TV schedule
All on ITV unless specified.
Thursday 9 April – Opening Day
- Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle (1:45pm)
- William Hill Manifesto Novices' Steeple Chase (2:20pm)
- Racing Welfare Bowl Steeple Chase (2:55pm)
- Randox Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Steeple Chase (3:30pm)
- William Hill Aintree Hurdle (4:05pm)
- Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Steeple Chase (4:40pm)
- Goffs Nickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat Race (5:15pm) Racing.tv
Friday 10 April – Ladies Day
- William Hill Handicap Hurdle (1:45pm)
- William Hill Mildmay Novices' Steeple Chase (2:20pm)
- Top Novices’ Hurdle (2:55pm)
- JCB Melling Steeple Chase (3:30pm)
- Randox Topham Handicap Steeple Chase (4:05pm)
- Oddschecker Sefton Novices’ Hurdle (4:40pm) Racing.tv
- Debenhams Handicap Hurdle (5:15pm) Racing.tv
Saturday 11 April – Grand National Day
- Hallgarten And Novum Wines Maghull Novices' Steeple Chase (12:45pm)
- William Hill Handicap Hurdle (1:20pm)
- Turners Mersey Novices' Hurdle (1:55pm)
- William Hill Freebooter Handicap Steeple Chase (2:30pm)
- Jet2 Liverpool Hurdle (3:05pm)
- Randox Grand National (4pm)
- Weatherbys NHStallions.co.uk Standard Open NH Flat Race (5pm) Racing.tv
Grand National odds
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Authors
Ned Holmes
Ned is a sports writer at RadioTimes.com. He has covered a host of sports from EFL football, international cricket and golf all the way through to bike polo and triathlon.
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