How To Watch British Champions Day 2026 - Live Stream & TV Guide

Conrad Castleton

Editor

Last updated: Fri 16 Oct 2026 10:35

Conrad Castleton 2 hours ago

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British Champions Day 2026 takes place at Ascot on Saturday, October 17, featuring seven races and five Group One events
UK viewers can watch live and free on ITV1 or stream via ITVX; Sky Sports Racing offers further coverage for subscribers
International coverage is available through various broadcasters, with viewers advised to check local listings for details

Ascot racecourse. (Getty)

Here's how you can watch British Champions Day 2026 live on television, or stream the action from Ascot on your mobile, tablet or other device.

One of the biggest meetings of the British Flat racing season takes place at Ascot on Saturday, October 17, as many of Europe's leading horses compete for some of the most prestigious prizes in the sport.

Five Group One races will be run on British Champions Day, including the Champion Stakes, Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, Champions Sprint, Fillies & Mares Stakes and Long Distance Cup. A valuable handicap and a two-year-old conditions race complete an excellent seven-race programme.

British racing fans can watch every race from Ascot live and free on ITV1, with coverage also available to stream through ITVX.

READ: Free tips for every race on British Champions Day 2026

How To Watch British Champions Day 2026 Live On TV

British Champions Day 2026 - Television Schedule

ITV Racing will provide live coverage of British Champions Day on Saturday afternoon, with the broadcast starting at 12:45pm and continuing until 5:00pm.

The first race is scheduled for 12:55pm, with the five Group One contests taking place between 1:30pm and 4:00pm. The Champion Stakes is the feature race of the afternoon, with the ten-furlong contest due off at 4:00pm.

Time (BST)	Title
12:55pm	Qatar Racing British Champions Day Two-Year-Old Conditions Stakes (Class 2) 6f
1:30pm	Qatar Racing British Champions Long Distance Cup (Group 1) 2m
2:05pm	Qatar Racing British Champions Sprint Stakes (Group 1) 6f
2:40pm	Qatar Racing British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (Group 1) 1m4f
3:20pm	Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Group 1) 1m
4:00pm	Qatar Racing Champion Stakes (Group 1) 1m2f
4:35pm	Balmoral Handicap (Class 2) 1m

How To Watch British Champions Day In The UK

British Champions Day will be broadcast live on ITV1, allowing viewers throughout the UK to enjoy the racing from Ascot without paying for a subscription.

ITV Racing's programme will begin at 12:45pm, with all seven races shown live, including the five Group One contests that headline the afternoon.

Fans who prefer to watch online can stream the entire ITV broadcast through ITVX, which is available on compatible smartphones, tablets, laptops and smart televisions.

Sky Sports Racing will also provide live coverage from Ascot for subscribers, offering another way to follow the action throughout the afternoon.

International British Champions Day TV Coverage

British Champions Day attracts interest from racing fans around the world, with international broadcasters carrying coverage of the prestigious Ascot meeting.

In 2025, coverage was distributed across 170 territories through 40 broadcasters, including FanDuel TV and FOX Sports in North America, ESPN and Disney+ in Latin America and the Caribbean, and SuperSport in Africa.

Other international broadcast partners have included Viaplay in parts of Europe, FanCode in India, Green Channel in Japan and Sky Racing in Australia.

International television arrangements can change between renewals, so viewers outside the UK should consult their local racing broadcaster for confirmed coverage of the 2026 meeting.

Can I Live Stream British Champions Day?

Yes. British racing fans can watch British Champions Day live and free through ITVX, which will stream ITV1's coverage of the meeting on Saturday afternoon.

Sky Sports Racing subscribers can also watch through supported Sky streaming services.

Viewers in other countries should check whether their local racing broadcaster offers an online stream, as coverage and streaming rights vary between regions.

What Time Does British Champions Day Start?

British Champions Day 2026 takes place at Ascot on Saturday, October 17. The opening race is scheduled for 12:55pm BST, with the final contest due off at 4:35pm.

The Champion Stakes, the feature race of the afternoon, is scheduled to start at 4:00pm BST.

Where Is British Champions Day Held?

British Champions Day is staged at Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire, England. First held in 2011, the meeting brings together leading horses from several divisions of the sport and marks the climax of the British Flat racing season.

Five Group One races feature on the seven-race card, with contests staged over distances ranging from six furlongs to two miles.