Preakness most – NBC Sports says the 151st Preakness Stakes at Laurel Park averaged 5.5 million viewers on NBC or Peacock, peaking at 7.1 million for Napoleon Solo’s win. The audience was up 22% from last year even with Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo absent.
For a race that usually has to fight for attention in a crowded sports calendar, this year’s Preakness Stakes broke through.
NBC Sports said Tuesday that this year’s running of the Preakness Stakes at Laurel Park was the most watched since 2021. An average of 5.5 million viewers tuned in on NBC or Peacock on Saturday, with a peak audience of 7.1 million for the race itself, won by Napoleon Solo.
The broadcast’s momentum wasn’t confined to the TV window. A social media post noted that NBA and Major League Baseball games promoted the 151st running of the race this time, helping push attention beyond traditional horse-racing circles.
The result mattered more because it came without a key storyline fans often chase. Ratings were up 22% from last year even though Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo did not run. and there was no chance of a horse sweeping all three legs of the Triple Crown. NBC said the Derby earlier this month was the most watched on record with an average of 19.6 million viewers. with audience peaking at 24.4 million for the race itself. according to preliminary data from Nielsen and Adobe Analytics.
On the ground at Laurel Park, the scene looked different. The Preakness was run in front of a limited-capacity crowd of 4,800, while Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore is rebuilt.
The week ahead still holds its own pressure. The third and final leg, the Belmont Stakes, is set for June 6 at Saratoga Race Course in upstate New York.
Preakness Stakes Laurel Park NBC Sports NBC Peacock Napoleon Solo ratings viewership Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo Belmont Stakes Saratoga Race Course Pimlico Race Course rebuilt
5.5 million is crazy… I didn’t even know it was on.
So Golden Tempo didn’t run and it still did better? Makes me think the Derby numbers are cooked if one horse being “absent” changes everything. Also why is it called Preakness when it’s clearly a Laurel thing? lol
Napoleon Solo won, like from Star Wars right? I feel like the marketing must’ve worked because people only care when it sounds fun. But also didn’t Pimlico get rebuilt? How can there be “more” viewers if the track situation is messy. Ratings going up 22% seems like a weird flex.
The part about the crowd being limited to 4,800… that’s wild compared to 7.1 million watching. I’m guessing they just put it on at a better time because NBA/MLB were promoting it or whatever. Belmont on June 6 at Saratoga better not flop too, or everybody’s gonna blame the weather like they always do.