With the excitement building ahead of the world-famous Aintree race, we look at the best ways on how to watch the Grand National 2026, including the full race times and running order of Saturday’s seven-race card.
You can also get familiar with the Grand National colours, runners, jockey silks and star-ratings – with a maximum of 34 entries for this year’s Merseyside Marathon.
How To Watch The Grand National 2026 📺
There will be many ways to watch the Grand National 2026 – including being there in person and, or course, on TV.
The race is expected to be watched by 5.2 million people in the UK and a staggering 500 million globally.
However, the good news is that people in the UK can watch the Grand National in the ITV Racing schedule for FREE.
The ITV Racing Grand National coverage starts at 12:45pm and will show FIVE races that climax with the GRAND NATIONAL at 4pm.
Key Grand National Day Times
- ITV Coverage Starts: 12:45pm
- Grand National Start Time: 4pm
- ITV Racing To Show 5 races between 1:20pm and 4pm
Other Ways To Watch The Grand National 2026📺
If you’ve not got access to ITV Racing, then there are several other ways to watch the Grand National on Saturday.
Watch The Grand National On Racing TV
The horse racing subscription channel Racing TV will also be showing the 2026 Grand National.
Racing TV will also be covering ALL seven races through the day, with the first race at 12:45pm and the last at 5pm.
Racing TV is on Sky Channel 424.
To join Racing TV – visit racingtv.com/join or call their team on 0344 855 1881 (UK) or 0818 776 700 (ROI)
Watch The Grand National Via Betting Sites
Watch The Grand National Via a Betting App
If you are having a wager on the big race, then you could also have the chance to watch the Grand National via a betting site platform.
Most of the big betting firms and bookmakers will stream any horse race that a bet has been placed on via their site or app.
Terms and conditions will apply, but shop around and if on the move this is a great way to catch the 2026 Grand National.
Aintree Saturday Race Schedule and Times 2026 🏇
- 12:45 – Hallgarten & Novum Wines Maghull Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race) Cl1 (5yo+) 2m Racing TV
- 1:20 – William Hill Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) Cl1 (4yo+) 3m½f ITV Racing
- 1:55 – Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race) Cl1 (4yo+) 2m4f ITV Racing
- 2:30 – William Hill Handicap Chase (Registered As The Freebooter Handicap Chase) (Premier Handicap) (GBB) Cl1 (5yo+) 3m1f ITV Racing
- 3:05 – Jet2 Liverpool Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race) Cl1 (4yo+) 3m½f ITV Racing
- 4:00 – Randox GRAND NATIONAL (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) Cl1 (7yo+) 4m2½f ITV Racing
- 5:00 – Weatherbys nhstallions.co.uk Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (Grade 2) (GBB Race) Cl1 (4-6yo) 2m1f Racing TV
Watch ITV Racing Opening Show On Grand National Morning
The Opening Show – ITV Racing
You can get into the Grand National mood on Saturday as early as 9:30am – with ITV’s The Opening Show.
Catch the one-hour show on ITV1, with Oli Bell presenting as an array of guests set to mark your card ahead of the big race at 4pm.
Which Horse Won The Grand National Last Year? 🏇
The Willie Mullins-trained Nick Rockett won the Grand National in 2025.
However, despite looking like an expected runner earlier in the week – Nick Rockett will miss the Grand National, due to coughing.
Meaning he WON’T be back to defend his Aintree crown in 2026.
But there are still many other Willie Mullins Grand National runners to look out for. Including the 2024 winner I Am Maximus.
He’ll be trying to be become the first horse since Red Rum to regain his crown.
WATCH: Nick Rockett Winning The 2025 Grand National on ITV Racing
Which Horse Is Favourite For The Grand National?
The Grand National has seen two winning favourites (one joint) since 2019 – with the most recent I Am Maximus in 2024.
This JP McManus Grand National runner was also runner-up in 2025 and is back for a third go on Saturday.
It was also confirmed earlier in the week that he’ll be the Paul Townend Grand National ride again this year.
With most bookies putting him in as the favourite to regain his title.
If he can win again, he’d be the first horse since Red Rum in 1977 to regain this National crown.
WATCH: I Am Maximus Winning The 2024 Grand National on ITV Racing
