Racing on TV Today: What Channel Is Showing Horse Racing
You’re checking what’s on TV and hoping to catch live horse racing, but the answer depends on whether you want free weekend coverage or daily live racing. The good news: there are more ways to watch than ever, from free-to-air channels like ITV to subscription services like Racing TV.
Major UK racing TV channels: ITV (free-to-air), Racing TV (subscription), BBC, RTÉ ·
Live racecourses today (example): Sandown, Market Rasen, Fairyhouse, Limerick ·
Free-to-air coverage start time: 1:00 PM (ITV4) ·
Subscription cost for Racing TV: £27/month or £300/year ·
Number of UK racecourses with live TV: 61 (Racing TV)
Quick snapshot
- ITV broadcasts live racing on ITV4, typically on weekend afternoons (Racing TV (broadcast schedule))
- Racing TV shows live racing daily from 61 UK and Irish racecourses (Racing TV (official broadcaster))
- RTÉ covers Irish meetings live (RTÉ Sport (Irish public broadcaster))
- Whether BBC will broadcast any racing today (only major events like Grand National are confirmed)
- If Punchestown is racing today – check Racing TV schedule or RTÉ schedule
- Exact start times may shift due to weather or other factors (ITV schedule)
- 13:15 – Fairyhouse first race (live on Racing TV & RTÉ according to Racing TV (today’s schedule))
- 14:10 – Sandown first race (live on Racing TV) (Racing TV (today’s schedule))
- 15:00 – ITV4 coverage begins with Market Rasen (Racing TV (today’s schedule))
- 20:00 – Racing Replay; then Limerick evening fixture (Racing TV (today’s schedule))
- Check ITV Racing Schedule page for confirmed fixtures
- View Racing TV’s ‘Today’s Schedule’ for full listings
- Tune in to RTÉ Sport for Irish racing
The implication: free-to-air channels cover weekend racing and major festivals, while subscription services like Racing TV provide daily live coverage from dozens of courses.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Free-to-air channels | ITV1, ITV4, BBC One (select events), RTÉ2 (Ireland) |
| Subscription channels | Racing TV (Sky 424, Virgin 534), Sky Sports Racing (Sky 413) |
| Live race meetings today (example) | Sandown, Market Rasen, Fairyhouse, Limerick |
| First live race time (GMT) | 13:15 (Fairyhouse) |
| Last live race time (GMT) | 20:00 (Racing Replay then live from Limerick) |
| How to find schedule | ITV Racing Schedule page, Racing TV’s ‘Today’s Schedule’, RTÉ Sport |
What channel is showing horse racing today?
Free-to-air channels (ITV, BBC, RTÉ)
- ITV broadcasts live racing on ITV4 (and sometimes ITV1 for major events). Coverage typically runs Saturday afternoons from around 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
- BBC airs select meetings like the Grand National and Royal Ascot on BBC One and iPlayer. Today’s schedule may or may not include racing (BBC Sport (public service broadcaster)).
- RTÉ covers Irish racing on RTÉ2, including meetings from Punchestown, Galway, and Fairyhouse. Live streaming is available via RTÉ Player (RTÉ Sport (Irish national broadcaster)).
Subscription channels (Racing TV, Sky Sports Racing)
- Racing TV offers live racing from 61 UK and Irish racecourses daily. It is available on Sky channel 424, Virgin Media channel 534, and via the Racing TV app and website. A monthly subscription costs £27, or £300 per year.
- Sky Sports Racing (Sky 413) shows additional UK and international racing as part of the Sky Sports package (Sky Sports (satellite TV provider)).
How to check today’s schedule
- Visit ITV’s racing schedule page for confirmed fixtures and times.
- Use Racing TV’s ‘Today’s Schedule’ for a full list of live races and replays.
- Check RTÉ Sport for Irish race meetings.
If you’re in the UK and want free racing, Saturday afternoon on ITV4 is your best bet. For daily coverage across dozens of courses, you’ll need a Racing TV subscription – it’s the only way to watch every meeting live.
In summary, free-to-air channels cover weekend racing and major festivals, while subscription services provide daily live coverage from dozens of courses.
What ITV channel is horse racing on?
ITV4 vs ITV1
- Most ITV racing airs on ITV4. Major events like Royal Ascot, the Grand National, and the Cheltenham Festival also simulcast on ITV1 (ITV (free-to-air broadcaster)).
- Channel 4 no longer holds racing rights – that ended in 2016.
Typical broadcast times
- Saturday afternoons: racing on ITV4 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
- ITV’s schedule page lists confirmed fixtures. Today’s example: Market Rasen at 15:00.
If you only have free-to-air TV, ITV4 is your go-to channel for Saturday afternoon racing. For weekday meetings, you’ll almost certainly need a subscription.
The trade-off: ITV4 covers the main weekend highlights, but if you want to see every race from Sandown on a Tuesday, Racing TV is the only option.
How to get Racing TV on your TV?
Satellite and cable (Sky, Virgin)
- Sky: Channel 424 (SD/HD). Add to your package via Sky’s sports options.
- Virgin Media: Channel 534.
Streaming via app and web
- Download the Racing TV app on Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, or your mobile device.
- Stream directly from the Racing TV website after logging in.
- You can also watch on Vodafone TV.
Cost and packages
- Monthly: £27 (no contract).
- Annual: £300 (saves about £24).
- Free trials are occasionally offered – check the Racing TV website for current promotions.
For a casual viewer, £27 a month might feel steep. But if you’re a regular punter or follow specific trainers, the cost is a fraction of what you’d spend on a single day at the track – and you get every race from 61 courses.
For UK racing fans, the decision boils down to frequency: occasional Saturday viewers can rely on ITV4, while daily followers will find Racing TV’s cost justified by the volume of live action.
Is Punchestown racing on today on TV?
Irish racing coverage
- Irish horse racing is broadcast on RTÉ2 (free-to-air) and Racing TV (subscription).
- RTÉ Player offers free live streaming for viewers in Ireland (RTÉ Sport (Irish public broadcaster)).
Punchestown TV listings
- Today’s fixture at Punchestown may or may not be televised. Check Racing TV’s ‘Today’s Schedule’ or RTÉ Sport for confirmation.
- If Punchestown isn’t running today, check the official Racing TV schedule for alternative Irish meetings (e.g., Fairyhouse today).
The implication: Irish racing fans have two reliable free-to-air options (RTÉ2 and iPlayer for select events), but for the full Punchestown festival you’ll need Racing TV or RTÉ Player.
How can I watch live horse racing streaming online?
Follow these steps to start watching live horse racing online:
- Decide between free services (ITV Hub, BBC iPlayer, RTÉ Player) and paid services (Racing TV, Sky Go).
- Visit the respective website or download the app on your device.
- Register for a free account or subscribe to a paid plan.
- Start streaming live races.
Free streaming (ITV Hub, BBC iPlayer, RTÉ Player)
- ITV Hub: Stream ITV4 live for free (registration required). Works on web, mobile, and smart TV (ITV Hub (free streaming service)).
- BBC iPlayer: Streams major events like Grand National and Royal Ascot live. Requires a UK licence fee.
- RTÉ Player: Free live streaming of Irish racing for viewers in Ireland.
Paid streaming (Racing TV, Sky Go)
- Racing TV website/app: Full live coverage with a monthly or annual subscription.
- Sky Go: If you have Sky Sports Racing, you can stream on Sky Go (UK only).
YouTube live streams
- The Racing TV YouTube channel posts highlights and previews but does not stream full live races due to rights restrictions.
- Some US-based services like NYRA stream free on YouTube for American racing (NYRA (US racing authority)).
Free streaming options like ITV Hub are great for weekend racing, but they only cover select meetings. For daily live racing from UK and Irish tracks, a Racing TV subscription is the only way to get consistent access.
The pattern: free streaming gives you the big days, paid streaming gives you every day. Choose based on how many meetings you actually watch.
Confirmed facts
- ITV broadcasts live racing on ITV4 (usually Saturday afternoons) per Racing TV (broadcast schedule).
- Racing TV airs live racing daily from 61 UK and Irish courses (Racing TV (official broadcaster)).
- RTÉ covers Irish meetings live (RTÉ Sport (Irish public broadcaster)).
- Channel 4 stopped racing coverage in 2016.
What’s unclear
- Whether BBC will broadcast racing today (only major events are confirmed).
- If Punchestown is racing today – check official schedules.
- Exact start times may shift due to weather or other factors.
“ITV confirms next live racing at Thirsk and Nottingham on given dates.”
ITV Racing Schedule (free-to-air broadcaster)
“Today’s live racing action from Sandown, Market Rasen, Fairyhouse and Limerick.”
Racing TV (subscription broadcaster)
“Latest race results, news and schedules for Irish racing.”
RTÉ Sport (Irish public broadcaster)
For the casual UK viewer, the choice is straightforward: free-to-air ITV4 covers the big Saturday meetings, while Racing TV provides the full daily schedule. If you’re in Ireland, RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player give you solid free coverage. The investment in a subscription makes sense only if you follow racing daily – otherwise, stick with the free channels and enjoy the big days.
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For viewers wondering which channel is showing today’s races, ITV4s live horse racing schedule provides the full breakdown of afternoon meetings and where to find them.
Frequently asked questions
Is horse racing free to watch on TV?
Yes, partly. ITV (ITV4/ITV1) and BBC (select events) are free-to-air in the UK. In Ireland, RTÉ2 is free. For daily racing from most courses, you need a subscription to Racing TV or Sky Sports Racing.
Can I watch horse racing on BBC today?
Only if a major event like the Grand National or Royal Ascot is scheduled. BBC’s racing coverage is limited to a few meetings per year. Check the BBC Sport website for today’s schedule.
What time does racing start on TV today?
Today’s example: first live race at 13:15 (Fairyhouse on Racing TV/RTÉ). ITV4 coverage starts at 15:00 with Market Rasen. Check Racing TV’s ‘Today’s Schedule’ for exact times.
How to watch Irish horse racing on UK TV?
Irish racing is available on Racing TV (Sky 424, Virgin 534) and via the Racing TV app. Some Irish meetings also appear on RTÉ Player, but that may be geo-blocked in the UK.
Do I need a subscription for Racing TV?
Yes. Racing TV is a subscription channel. Monthly cost is £27, annual £300. There are no free-to-air broadcasts from Racing TV.
Is horse racing on Channel 4 anymore?
No. Channel 4 lost the rights to broadcast horse racing in 2016. ITV now holds the free-to-air rights for racing in the UK.
Can I watch live racing on YouTube?
Not full live races. Racing TV’s YouTube channel shows highlights and previews. In the US, NYRA streams some racing free on YouTube. For full live coverage, you need a dedicated subscription.
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