Advanced Television

How to watch the 2025 Grand National

March 25, 2025

The recently concluded Cheltenham Festival made headlines the world over, but not for the reasons you may initially think. Plenty of interest was placed on the meeting’s dwindling attendance, down from over 60,000 in 2020 to an estimated 45,000 in 2025. However, it’s worth noting that the number of spectators through the turnstiles on Friday’s Gold Cup day did increase back over that 60,000 number.

Another reason for the headlines being grabbed was the sheer number of odds-on favourites that got beaten throughout the four-day extravaganza. Heavily fancied frontrunners such as Constitution Hill, Majborough, Ballyburn, Jonbon, and the history-chasing Galopin des Champs were all beating, resulting in a windfall for the bookies. However, the good news is that while Cheltenham may well be in the rearview mirror, the Grand National is just around the corner.

What to Expect at the 2025 Grand National?

The Grand National is the world’s greatest steeplechase, and it’s a day that the sporting world stands still in the United Kingdom. It returns to Aintree Racecourse on Saturday, April 5th and it promises to attract millions of viewers, both in the Liverpool grandstands and around the world watching on TV. And there was one horse that online betting sites fancied above all others.

That, of course, was Inothewayurthinkin. The Gavin Cromwell-trained horse was the huge favourite to secure Grand National victory, especially after his exploits in upsetting Galopin Des Champs in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. However, he has shockingly been withdrawn from the running, and those same horse racing betting sites now make Intense Raffles the narrow 6/1 favourite in a wide-open race.

But websites allowing one to place a bet on Grand National don’t think the French runner will have it all his own way. Both Iroko (6/1) and reigning champion I Am Maximus are hot on his heels. You won’t want to miss the massive showdown, and here is all you need to know about where you can tune in a view the action unfold.

Watching in the UK

For traditional TV viewers, ITV remains the go-to channel. The race was broadcast on BBC for a whopping 52 years between 1960 and 2012, before spending four years on Channel Four. Since 2017 however, it has been ITV that have held the rights to the storied showdown, and that remains the place to be in 2025.

With comprehensive coverage starting early on race day, the broadcasting giant brings expert analysis, exclusive interviews, and live footage of every moment. For those on the move or without access to regular TV, the ITVX streaming service is an excellent alternative. Easily accessible via laptops, tablets, or smartphones, ITVX ensures you won’t miss the action wherever you are.

Watching in Australia

The Grand National’s popularity extends far beyond the UK, and Australian audiences have their own ways of enjoying the spectacle. For television coverage, Sky Racing – available on Foxtel – is the leading channel for live horse racing, including the Grand National.

Watching in the US, The Americans usually prefer to focus on their own racing, with the Kentucky Derby and its resulting Triple Crown taking centre stage. But fans can still access the Grand National through several platforms. Key broadcasters like TVG and the New York Racing Association cater to Stateside viewers, offering live race coverage. Time zone conversions are crucial here, with the race starting at 11am Eastern Time.

Watching in Europe

Across Europe, channels like Viaplay provide TV coverage for many countries. Additionally, sports networks like Eurosport often stream high-profile events like the Grand National online. Users only need to check their country-specific subscription details to see if the race is included.

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