Thousands of racegoers head to Liverpool for the Grand National meeting at Aintree racecourse (11–13 April in 2024) each year. But if you’re not heading there in person, there is no need to miss the action, as every single race from the meeting will be shown on TV. Here’s how to watch the Grand National on TV…
NB: If you prefer the additional online security offered by a VPN connection, check out the 30-day ExpressVPN trial and follow the instructions below.
Grand National on TV: how to watch
The Grand National meeting plays host to the most-watched race in the world, but how can you watch the Grand National meeting from the comfort of your armchair if you’re not able to make it there in person?
So here it is, your armchair viewing guide to the Grand National meeting — and now is definitely the time to invest in that 85inch 4K Ultra HD TV you’ve been hankering after. Grab your remote, a family pack of snacks and a tipple of your choosing because you needn’t leave your armchair for three days.
Where can I watch it?
Those of you with a Racing TV subscription can enjoy all the races live but for everyone else in the country, tune in to the main ITV Channel, where the ITV Racing team will take you right to the heart of the action. The live Grand National meeting coverage will also be simulcast on ITV X, on web and app for viewers to watch online or if you’re on the move you can still keep up to date by listening to BBC Radio 5 Live.
Presented by Ed Chamberlin, alongside a team of some of the sport’s best pundits, ITV Racing will broadcast five races a day of top class racing across the three-day Festival, with an extended show on Grand National Day.
ITV’s BAFTA-winning team include pundits and Grand-National winning jockeys, Sir Anthony McCoy, Ruby Walsh and Mick Fitzgerald.
Joining them covering all the action around the whole course will be Rishi Persad, Alice Plunkett, Adele Mulrennan and Matt Chapman. Brian Gleeson will be in the betting ring with Luke Harvey down at the starts. Oli Bell will interact with viewers at home and look at stats in the ‘social stable’ and the three big race commentators will be Richard Hoiles, Mark Johnson and Stewart Machin.
There will also be a full review of the big race on Saturday with Ruby Walsh alongside Oli Bell taking us through his analysis of what happened fence by fence.
How to watch the Gand National meeting outside the UK
If you’re watching from outside the UK, you might need a VPN to access ITVX in order to watch the racing live.
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How to use a VPN
Three simple steps to using a VPN to watch the Grand National meeting.
1. Download and install a VPN – we recommend ExpressVPN
2. Connect to the relevant server location – launch the VPN app, click on ‘choose location’ and select the UK
3. Head to the chosen broadcaster’s live stream – in this case, head to ITVX
We recommend VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:
- Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service)
- Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad
We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
What time does it start?
ITV Racing coverage starts at 2pm every day, broadcasting live till 5pm on Thursday and Friday and will show coverage of five races. On Grand National day on Saturday coverage is extended and runs from 12.55pm until 5pm.
What if I’m too excited to wait until 2pm?
After you’ve picked up your copy of the Racing Post and checked out the latest news on the H&H Grand National page, join Oli Bell and his special guests on the Opening Show on ITV4 on Thursday and Friday from 9.30-10.30am and 9.30am-11am on Saturday, where you’ll hear from special guests and experts ready to point you towards some big winners (hopefully). Oli Bell will preview all the big races and take in the morning action around the course. He will have guests with him each day including a big race line up on Saturday including Sir Anthony McCoy and Ruby Walsh.
When is the big race?
The Grand National gets underway at 4pm on Saturday 13 April.
Keep up-to-date with all the latest news and updates from the Grand National meeting via the Horse & Hound website and read the full report in the 18 April issue of the magazine
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