The Grand National, a name that resonates around the world, is not just a race; it’s an institution.
Held annually at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool, England, it is one of the most challenging and prestigious in the world.
Every year, around 600 million fans across the globe tune in to watch it. With its mix of high drama and unpredictability, it is the one race that Brits absolutely love to have a flutter on.
But what if you’re not in the UK or Ireland? How can you watch the Grand National if you don’t have iTV to tune into live?
We’re here to answer your questions so that on April 5th 2025 at 4 pm you too can sit back and enjoy one of the biggest races in the world.
International Broadcasting
Like most major sporting events, the rights to the Grand National are sold around the world so that hopefully, wherever you are, there’s a local TV station airing the broadcast live.
For fans who love to celebrate the occasion, collectible items like enamel pin badges make the perfect keepsake as a small reminder of the Grand National’s excitement, wherever you are in the world.
The top three territories are:
- USA: NBC Sports typically holds the rights to broadcast the event, offering live coverage to American audiences.
- Australia: Fans can watch the race on Sky Racing, with live coverage and analysis.
- Canada: Canadian viewers can tune into Sportsnet for live coverage.
Online Streaming Platforms
If you don’t live in a region where the event is broadcast via the television, you can always turn to the internet.
For global audiences who want to watch the Grand National, several online platforms provide live streaming of the race.
These include:
- Online Bookmakers: Offer live streaming for registered users who have placed a bet on the race. Just make sure you use fast VPNs for lag-free betting so you can hopefully back the winner.
- Racing TV: Provides comprehensive live coverage and analysis for subscribers.
In the UK
The Grand National is broadcast live on ITV, free-to-air, making it accessible to a vast audience.
ITV also offers online streaming through the ITV Hub, ITVX, allowing viewers to watch the race live on various devices.
As this is one of the biggest events annually for the channel, with more than 10 million people tuning in, the coverage is on all day.
That means you also get to watch the rest of the day’s racing as part of the build-up.
Using VPNs to Stream and Watch the Grand National
For those in countries where the Grand National isn’t easily accessible, VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) offer a solution.
By connecting to a server in a country that broadcasts the race, viewers can bypass geographical restrictions.
It’s crucial to choose a reputable VPN provider and connect to a server in the UK, the USA, or any country with official broadcasting rights for a secure and seamless streaming experience.
Why People Love to Watch the Grand National
The appeal of the Grand National lies in its unpredictability and the sheer spectacle of the event.
Over the years, changes have been made to the race to ensure the utmost safety for both horse and jockey.
A raft of these changes were implemented for the first time in 2024, including a reduction in field size from the usual 40 horses to just 34.
With two late withdrawals, only 32 horses ran in the race, and with a less crowded field, many had an easier time navigating the 30 fences over the 4 miles as their stamina and speed were put to the test.
In all, 21 horses finished the race, seven more pulled up, and the remaining four unseated their riders. But for the first in a long time, there were no fallers.
Unsurprisingly, race organisers opted to retain the changes, all of which will still be in effect for the 2025 renewal.
With generations of families tuning in or attending the event and with the chance to witness history in the making, we keep coming back for more.
And that is why people love to watch the Grand National.
Viewing Figures and Popularity
The Grand National stands as one of the most-watched sporting events in the UK, with 7.5 million of us tuning in to watch the race in 2023.
Part of the changes mentioned above were in relation to the starting time. Ordinarily, the race used to start at 5.15 pm, but as part of the measures to improve the safety of the race, that time has now been revised.
The 2025 Grand National will now begin at 4pm. Put that in your diaries because if you forget you could be tuning in long after the winner has already gone home!
The time change did negatively impact the TV ratings last year which clocked in at 6.1 million UK viewers, down from the previous year’s 7.5 million viewers, which was attributed to the earlier start time of 4 pm.
Hopefully, the new time will resonate better in 2025 and those figures will be back up again!
Its global appeal is undeniable, attracting significant international viewership. With stories of triumph and despair, it is a testament to the bond between horse and jockey.
As such, broadcasters have capitalised on this, offering extensive coverage that includes behind-the-scenes insights, making it a standout event in the sports calendar.
Conclusion
The Grand National remains a stalwart of the global sports calendar, celebrated for its rich history, thrilling competition, and widespread appeal.
Whether you’re in the UK, watching on ITV, streaming online from abroad, or using a VPN to catch every moment, there are plenty of ways to join in the excitement.
As we look forward to this year’s race, the anticipation builds for what is sure to be another unforgettable chapter in the storied legacy of the Grand National.
