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The Grand National 2026 live streams will free in Ireland and the U.K – but U.S. racing fans needn't miss out. You can watch Grand National for free in U.S. using a VPN – as you would locally at home in Ireland/U.K.
The Grand National 2026 will take place on Saturday, April 11.
● Time: 4 p.m. BST / 11 a.m. ET
● WATCH FREE: ITVX (U.K.) / Virgin Media Play (Ireland)
● Watch your local stream abroad — try NordVPN 100% risk free
This year’s Grand National is billed as a showdown between two Willie Mullins-trained 10-year-olds, in I Am Maximus and Grangeclare West.
The former triumphed by seven-and-a-half lengths in 2024 before finishing second to Nick Rockett last year and will become the first horse since the great Red Rum in 1977 to regain the Grand National title after having lost it. To do so, I Am Maximus will have to carry around the heaviest weight (11st 12lb) in the handicap.
Nick Rockett was confirmed as a non-runner last week after picking up a cough, so 2025 champion jockey Patrick Mullins will switch to Grangeclare West (11st 10lb), who finished third 12 months ago.
Elsewhere, Iroko and Jagwar are also well-fancied. Panic Attack is also expected to challenge for glory having triumphed in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury.
Read on as we explain how to watch 2026 Grand National live streams in the USA, UK, Ireland or wherever you are.
Can I watch the Grand National 2026 for free in U.S.?
Punters visiting the U.S. or Canada can use this VPN (try risk-free) to watch the Grand National for free on ITVX (U.K.). and Virgin Media Play (Ireland)
See below for full details – just sign up to the VPN, download the app to your device or TV, set the location to U.K. and tune into your free stream.
How to watch Grand National 2026 from anywhere
Not at home for the Grand National this weekend?
No need to worry, you can still watch all of this weekend's action using a VPN (Virtual Private Network). VPNs allow you to make your device appear as if it's in your home country, no matter where you are, bypassing geo-blockers. Perfect for horse racing fans travelling for work or leisure. Our #1 pick is NordVPN. It's the best on the market:
It's really simple to use a VPN to watch the racing on ITVX this weekend.
1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, NordVPN. is the one we recommend.
2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you're visiting the U.S. and want to watch your ITVX stream, select 'U.K.' from the listed countries.
3. Sit back and enjoy the action. Head over to ITVX and watch the racing just as if you were at home.
Can I watch Grand National 2026 live streams in the U.S.?
Unfortunately, no official broadcaster has been announced in the U.S. for the 2026 Grand National.
Any Brits who are currently abroad in the country can use one of the best VPN services to access their usual streaming service. We recommend NordVPN.
The main race is set to begin at 11 a.m. ET / 8 a.m. PT on Saturday morning.
How to watch Grand National 2026 live streams in the U.K.
As mentioned above, ITV1 and ITVX are providing FREE coverage of the 2026 Grand National in the U.K., with live coverage of the event getting underway at 12:45 p.m. BST on Saturday, and the main race set for 4 p.m.
Just bear in mind that you'll need a valid U.K. TV license to watch the action on TV or via online streaming.
If you're currently traveling overseas, don't worry, as you can use NordVPN to watch from abroad.
How to watch Grand National 2026 live streams in Australia
In Australia, the 2026 Grand National live stream will be shown on Racing.com.
But be warned that the main race is scheduled for 1 am. on Sunday.
Not at home right now? Use NordVPN or another VPN service to tap into your subscriptions from anywhere.
The Grand National 2026 Q&A
What are the Grand National 2026 runners and riders?
I Am Maximus & Paul Townend – Willie Mullins
Grangeclare West & Patrick Mullins – Willie Mullins
Panic Attack & Harry Skelton – Dan Skelton
Jagwar & Mark Walsh – Oliver Greenall
Iroko & Jonjo O'Neill Jr. – Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero
Johnnywho & Richie McLernon – Jonjo & AJ O'Neill
Haiti Couleurs & Sean Bowen – Rebecca Curtis
Oscars Brother & Daniel King – Connor King
Captain Cody & Jonathan Burke – Willie Mullins
Monty's Star & Darragh O'Keeffe – Henry De Bromhead
Gerri Colombe & Jack Kennedy – Gordon Elliott
Stellar Story & Robert Dunne – Gordon Elliott
Gorgeous Tom & Sean Flanagan – Henry De Bromhead
Final Orders & Conor Stone-Walsh – Gavin Cromwell
Jordans & Ben Jones – Joseph Patrick O'Brien
Spillane's Tower & Simon Torrens – James Joseph Mangan
Champ Kiely & Danny Mullins – Willie Mullins
Favori De Champdou & Danny Gilligan – Gordon Elliott
Perceval Legallois & Harry Cobden – Gavin Cromwell
Quai De Bourbon & Donagh Meyler – Willie Mullins
Spanish Harlem & Brian Hayes – Willie Mullins
Lecky Watson & Sean O'Keeffe – Willie Mullins
Banbridge & JJ Slevin – Joseph Patrick O'Brien
Twig & Beau Morgan – Ben Pauling
Firefox & Keith Donoghue – Gordon Elliott
Three Card Brag & Jordan Gainford – Gordon Elliott
High Class Hero & James Bowen – Willie Mullins
Answer To Kayf & John Shinnick – Terence O'Brien
Mr Vango & Jack Tudor – Sara V Bradstock
The Real Whacker & Gavin Sheehan – Patrick Neville
Top of The Bill & Toby McCain-Mitchell – Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies
Beauport & Sam Twiston-Davies – Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies
Marble Sands & Kielan Woods – David Killahena and Graeme McPherson
Pied Piper & TBC – Gordon Elliott
Who are the recent Grand National winners?
2025 - Nick Rockett (Patrick Mullins, Willie Mullins)
2024 - I Am Maximus (Paul Townend, Willie Mullins)
2023 - Corach Rambler (Derek Fox, Lucinda Russell)
2022 - Noble Yeats (Sam Waley-Cohen, Emmet Mullins)
2021 - Minella Times (Rachael Blackmore, Henry de Bromhead)
2020 - N/A
2019 - Tiger Roll (Davy Russell, Gordon Elliott)
2018 - Tiger Roll (Davy Russell, Gordon Elliott)
2017 - One For Arthur (Derek Fox, Lucinda Russell)
2016 - Rule The World (David Mullins, Mouse Morris)
What record is I Am Maximus trying to break?
The 2024 winner I Am Maximus will emulate the great Red Rum as a non-sequential champion.
In 1977, Red Rum became the last Grand National winner to take the title with a break in between titles, having last won in 1975.
I Am Maximum finished second last year.
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