Quick Answer: How to Watch Horse Racing on TV in Ireland?
In Ireland, live horse racing is split across free-to-air and dedicated subscription channels. RTÉ 2 broadcasts 24+ days of premier Irish festival racing (including the Galway Races, Punchestown, Irish Derby, and Leopardstown Christmas Festival). Virgin Media One and ITV1 / ITV4 broadcast the massive UK festivals free-to-air (Cheltenham Festival, Aintree Grand National, Royal Ascot). However, Racing TV holds exclusive live rights to all 26 Irish racecourses and all 28 races at Cheltenham live. Standalone Racing TV costs €31/month. An All-in-One IPTV Ireland package provides Racing TV, Sky Sports Racing, RTÉ HD, ITV HD, and Racing UK in 4K with dedicated replay channels for just €12.99/month.
1. 2026 Horse Racing TV Rights in Ireland & the UK
Below is the complete schedule of broadcast rights across Irish and UK race tracks for the 2026 flat and National Hunt jump seasons:
| Festival / Course | Irish Broadcaster | UK Broadcaster | Cost & Access | StreamerATV Feeds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheltenham Festival (March) | Virgin Media One (5 races/day) & Racing TV (all 28) | ITV1 / ITVX & Racing TV | Free on Virgin / ITV; Pay on Racing TV | Racing TV 4K, ITV1 4K, Virgin One HD |
| All 26 Irish Racecourses (Daily) | Racing TV (Exclusive daily live) | Racing TV | €31/month subscription | Racing TV HD, Racing TV Extra feeds |
| Galway Races & Punchestown | RTÉ 2 (Afternoon live) & Racing TV | Racing TV | Free on RTÉ 2 / Saorview | RTÉ 2 HD, Racing TV HD |
| Aintree Grand National & Royal Ascot | Virgin Media One & Racing TV | ITV1 & Sky Sports Racing (Ascot) | Free on Virgin / ITV | Virgin One HD, ITV1 HD, Sky Sports Racing |
| UK Daily Racing (Chester, Ascot, Doncaster) | Sky Sports Racing & Racing TV | Sky Sports Racing & Racing TV | Pay-TV Subscription | Sky Sports Racing HD, Equidia (France) |
Watch Racing TV & Sky Sports Racing in Ultra HD
Never miss a race at Leopardstown, the Curragh, Cheltenham, or Punchestown. Stream Racing TV, Sky Sports Racing, and all UK/Irish sports without paying €31/month standalone fees.
✓ All 26 Irish courses live • ✓ Full Cheltenham 28-race schedule • ✓ Zero contract
2. The Cheltenham Festival 2026: The Ultimate Viewer’s Guide
The four days of the Cheltenham Festival in March represent the pinnacle of the National Hunt season for Irish trainers and punters. In Ireland:
- Virgin Media One & Two: Broadcast the first 5 races of each day live free-to-air, sharing the ITV Racing feed with Ed Chamberlin, AP McCoy, and Ruby Walsh.
- Racing TV: The only channel broadcasting all 28 festival races from 1:30 PM through the final bumper race, complete with paddock analysis and unobstructed parade ring interviews.
- ITV1 & ITVX: Viewers can stream free via UK terrestrial or digital platforms. If you experience geo-blocking issues outside the UK, see our guide on Streaming Free Sports in Ireland.
3. Irish Domestic Racing: Why Racing TV Holds the Monopoly
In 2019, Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) and the Association of Irish Racecourses (AIR) signed a landmark direct-to-home broadcast agreement awarding all 26 Irish racecourses exclusively to Racing TV (formerly Racing UK). Tracks including:
- Leopardstown, The Curragh, Punchestown, Fairyhouse, Navan, Galway, Listowel, Cork, Gowran Park, and Dundalk.
Because RTÉ only retains rights to approximately 24 selected festival afternoon windows per year, everyday punters who follow midweek meetings or evening fixtures at Dundalk Stadium are forced into a dedicated Racing TV monthly subscription. On Sky Ireland, Racing TV costs €31/month, representing an expensive single-channel commitment.
4. Watching Sky Sports Racing in Ireland
Sky Sports Racing (formerly At The Races) holds the rights to 25 UK racecourses, including Ascot, Chester, Doncaster, Newcastle, and Lingfield Park, as well as live French horse racing from Equidia and elite American racing (Breeders’ Cup, Kentucky Derby). It is included in standard Sky Sports Ireland packages and is fully available in 50FPS HD on StreamerATV.
5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I watch the Grand National for free in Ireland?
Yes. The Aintree Grand National is broadcast free-to-air on Virgin Media One in Ireland and on ITV1 in the UK. You can watch live via Saorview or through Virgin Media Play.
How much does Racing TV cost on Sky in Ireland?
Racing TV costs €31 per month on Sky Ireland or Virgin Media Ireland on a rolling monthly contract. On StreamerATV, Racing TV HD is included alongside 30,000+ live sports and movie channels for just €12.99/month.
Does RTÉ show all races at the Galway Festival?
No. RTÉ 2 broadcasts the main afternoon races from Galway (typically 4 to 5 races per day, including the Galway Plate and Galway Hurdle). The early races and concluding races are exclusive to Racing TV.
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