# US horse racing broadcast deals & 2027 series

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-horse-racing-broadcast-deals-and-series-2027
> Updated: 2026-08-03T19:04:11.000Z. Sources: 11. Developments: 2.

In late July 2026, Fox Sports announced a multiyear agreement with the New York Racing Association (NYRA) that will make the network the exclusive television home for live racing at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club beginning in 2027, expanding Fox’s horse‑racing portfolio to over 1,000 live hours annually.

Shortly after, Churchill Downs Incorporated and NYRA unveiled a six‑race Thoroughbred Championship Series for three‑year‑old horses slated for 2027. The series links Churchill Downs, Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course, features marquee events such as the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, and will be broadcast nationally on FOX and NBC, with a $5 million prize pool.

The new series will run over five months, opening with the Kentucky Derby in May and concluding with a championship finale at Churchill Downs in September. Belmont Park is expected to reopen, returning the Belmont Stakes to its traditional venue, while the Preakness remains outside the series and will run at Pimlico with limited capacity. Officials describe the launch as a foundation for future expansion, potentially adding historic races like the Haskell or Pennsylvania Derby, and aim to deepen fan engagement beyond the traditional Triple Crown schedule.

Together, these moves illustrate NYRA’s broader strategy to deepen media partnerships and create a unified championship framework for U.S. thoroughbred racing in 2027.

## Claims

- Churchill Downs Incorporated and the New York Racing Association announced a six‑race Thoroughbred Championship Series to begin in 2027. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- The Preakness Stakes is not included in the new championship series. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- The series will span five months and include the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, Travers Stakes, Matt Winn Stakes, Jim Dandy Stakes, and a championship finale at Churchill Downs in September. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The series will have a $5 million prize pool. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The series will be broadcast nationally on FOX and NBC. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Belmont Park is expected to reopen in 2027 after construction, allowing the Belmont Stakes to return to its traditional venue. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The 2027 Preakness Stakes will return to Pimlico with limited capacity due to ongoing renovations. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Churchill Downs attempted to purchase the intellectual property of the Preakness Stakes for $85 million, but Maryland matched the offer, preventing the acquisition. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-03: Churchill Downs and NYRA launch 2027 Thoroughbred Championship Series

Churchill Downs and NYRA unveiled a six‑race 2027 Thoroughbred Championship Series with a $5 million prize pool, national TV coverage, and no Preakness inclusion; Belmont Park to reopen, and Maryland blocked a

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/churchill-downs-and-nyra-launch-2027-thoroughbred-championship-series

### 2026-07-29: Fox Sports and NYRA secure exclusive Del Mar broadcast rights for 2027

Fox Sports and NYRA have signed a multiyear deal making Fox the exclusive broadcaster of Del Mar horse racing from 2027, adding to its existing racing coverage and previewing the 2026 Pacific Classic.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/fox-sports-and-nyra-secure-exclusive-del-mar-broadcast-rights-for-2027

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Cite as: US horse racing broadcast deals & 2027 series. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-horse-racing-broadcast-deals-and-series-2027