Royal Ascot hits global screens and gallops into 180 territories

Ascot Racecourse has secured broadcast coverage and distribution agreements with 30 networks to broadcast Royal Ascot across 180 territories.

The five day event has been delivered globally by sports and media rights agency HBA Media. Ascot Racecourse has partnered with Australian free to air broadcaster Channel 7 in an agreement to broadcast the full world feed on its linear and digital channels, reaching over 17m homes. In the USA, NBC has committed to five days of on-course coverage across its main network and Peacock streaming service. Public broadcaster CBC has joined the broadcast portfolio for the first time to deliver daily coverage in Canada, while ESPN has secured the rights to broadcast across 49 territories in Latin America and the Caribbean on its linear channels and Disney+.

Domestic coverage in the UK and Ireland will be provided by ITV Racing, Sky Sports Racing, and Virgin Media. Further coverage across Europe has been secured with broadcasters including Rai, Polsat, and Viaplay. Across the Asia-Pacific region, SPOTV has agreed a deal covering 14 territories, and TVRI has acquired free-to-air rights in Indonesia. In the Middle East, Dubai Media International has renewed its coverage alongside Abu Dhabi Media.

Ascot Racecourse was nominated for ‘Event of the Year’ at The 25th Sport Industry Awards.

Tom Johnson, Commercial Director of Ascot Racecourse, said, “Royal Ascot continues to go from strength to strength as a global sporting and cultural occasion, and our 2026 broadcast distribution reflects that reach. The addition of new platforms and expanded on-site international broadcast presence ensures that the Royal Meeting is more accessible and relevant than ever to audiences worldwide. With a strong international challenge once again expected on the track, we are set for a compelling week of racing that reinforces Royal Ascot’s position as an unmissable event in the global sporting calendar.”

Frank Sale, Chief Executive of HBA Media, said, “We are proud to partner with Ascot Racecourse in delivering what is truly a worldwide broadcast operation. From our longstanding relationships in the Middle East with Dubai Media International and Abu Dhabi Media, to exciting new partnerships across Europe, Asia and Indonesia, Royal Ascot continues to reach a diverse global audience. The strength of the international field, with leading contenders travelling from France, Japan, Australia and the Americas, makes this a genuinely global sporting event, and it is our privilege to ensure that story is told to audiences in every corner of the world.”