Maryland Moves Preakness to Sunday, Lands New NBC Broadcast Deal Through 2032

Maryland officials have finalized a structural overhaul of the Preakness Stakes, shifting the race’s traditional timing and securing a new media rights agreement. Governor Wes Moore announced a new six-year contract with NBC Sports to broadcast the event and other Maryland races, alongside a decision to move the Preakness from its historic slot on the third Saturday in May to the following Sunday, effective in 2027.

The scheduling adjustment places the race on Memorial Day weekend, with the state-owned Black-Eyed Susan Stakes shifting to the Saturday prior. The later date is intended to entice trainers and owners to compete in Baltimore with horses that also run in the Kentucky Derby. By inserting an extra week of rest between the Derby and Preakness, officials aim to reduce the incentive to skip the second leg of the Triple Crown in favor of preparing for the longer Belmont Stakes in New York.

The move follows a period of significant realignment in the industry. The Maryland government recently purchased the rights to the Preakness from Churchill Downs Incorporated, the operator of the Kentucky Derby. Shortly after that separation, Churchill Downs revealed plans for a new national racing series that will exclude the Preakness and Pimlico Race Course.

Churchill Downs Incorporated (CHDN), currently trading with a market capitalization of approximately $5.76 billion, has moved forward with its own strategy independent of the Maryland fixture. Meanwhile, the broadcast rights for the newly reconfigured Preakness will reside with Comcast Corporation (CMCSA), the parent company of NBC Sports. Comcast, valued at roughly $87.15 billion, will air the Preakness, the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes, Preakness Preview Day in April, and Maryland Million Day in October.

NBC Sports executives indicated the network had long advocated for the one-week delay, citing potential ratings improvements and increased inventory for revenue generation. Specific financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed, though reports suggest the contract may be structured with incentives tied to viewership performance. State officials framed the deal as a measure to ensure the long-term viability of the taxpayer-owned asset and the local racing industry.

What to watch

• Implementation of the 2027 schedule changes and their impact on horse field sizes.
• Viewership data following the shift to a Sunday slot on Memorial Day weekend.
• Churchill Downs’ execution of its new racing series without the Preakness.

Source: original release