Royal Ascot 2020 on TV: Start time, channel and how to watch LIVE

ROYAL Ascot will take place this week, with the nations biggest meeting set to wow horse racing fans everywhere.

But the 2020 event, which the Queen has attended every year during her reign, will take place behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Royal Ascot will take place behind closed doors this year

Here is everything you need to know about the meeting and how to watch all the action from the comfort of your own home.

When is Royal Ascot on TV?

All races will be shown live on Sky Sports Racing, with the broadcaster offering extensive coverage of the meeting.

Race two onwards and race three onwards on Saturday will be shown on ITV1.

How can I watch the races live?

Royal Ascot will be shown live on ITV throughout the UK as well as on social media and YouTube.

Racing fans can stream the action for free via the ITV Hub app or on the broadcaster’s website. The broadcasters coverage picks up with Race 2 each day and Race 3 on Saturday.

Additional coverage is also available on Sky Sports Racing and existing customers can stream races using the Sky Go app.

TalkSPORT2 will be broadcasting on radio every day from 1pm – 5pm.

There is also further commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live throughout the week.

It is the first year that the Queen will not attend the annual race meeting in her 68 year reign

What time does each race start?

The running order for each day of Royal Ascot is as follows:

Day 1 – Tuesday 16 June

• 1.15pm The Buckingham Palace Stakes (Handicap) 3+ £35,000 Seven furlongs
• 1.50pm The Queen Anne Stakes (Group 1) 4+ £250,000 One mile
• 2.25pm The Ribblesdale Stakes (Group 2) 3 fillies £110,000 One mile, four furlongs
• 3.00pm The King Edward VII Stakes (Group 2) 3 colts & geldings £110,000 One mile, four furlongs
• 3.35pm The King’s Stand Stakes (Group 1) 3+ £250,000 Five furlongs
• 4.10pm The Duke of Cambridge Stakes (Group 2) 4+ fillies & mares £100,000 One mile
• 4.40pm The Ascot Stakes (Handicap) 4+ £35,000 Two miles, four furlongs

Day 2 – Wednesday 17 June

• 1.15pm The Silver Royal Hunt Cup (Handicap) (A consolation race for the Royal Hunt Cup) 3+ £35,000 One mile
• 1.50pm The Hampton Court Stakes (Group 3) 3 £60,000 One mile, two furlongs
• 2.25pm The King George V Stakes (Handicap) 3 £60,000 One mile, four furlongs
• 3.00pm The Prince of Wales’s Stakes (Group 1) 4+ £250,000 One mile, two furlongs
• 3.35pm The Royal Hunt Cup (Handicap) 3+ £75,000 One mile
• 4.10pm The Windsor Castle Stakes (Listed) 2 £40,000 Five furlongs
• 4.40pm The Copper Horse Stakes (Handicap) 4+ £35,000 One mile, six furlongs

Extra races have been added to the schedule for the 2020 event

Day 3 – Thursday 18 June

• 1.15pm The Golden Gates Stakes (Handicap) 3 £35,000 One mile, two furlongs
• 1.50pm The Wolferton Stakes (Listed) 4+ £50,000 One mile, two furlongs
• 2.25pm The Jersey Stakes (Group 3) 3 £60,000 Seven furlongs
• 3.00pm The Chesham Stakes (Listed) 2 £40,000 Seven furlongs
• 3.35pm The Gold Cup (Group 1) 4+ £250,000 Two miles, four furlongs
• 4.10pm The Britannia Stakes (Handicap) 3 colts & geldings £60,000 One mile
• 4.40pm The Sandringham Stakes (Handicap) 3 fillies £60,000 One mile

Day 4 – Friday 19 June

• 1.15pm The Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes (Handicap) 3 £35,000 Five furlongs
• 1.50pm The Albany Stakes (Group 3) 2 fillies £45,000 Six furlongs
• 2.25pm The Norfolk Stakes (Group 2) 2 £50,000 Five furlongs
• 3.00pm The Hardwicke Stakes (Group 2) 4+ £125,000 One mile, four furlongs
• 3.35pm The Commonwealth Cup (Group 1) 3 colts & fillies £250,000 Six furlongs
• 4.10pm The Queen’s Vase (Group 2) 3 £110,000 One mile, six furlongs
• 4.40pm The Duke of Edinburgh Stakes (Handicap) 3+ £60,000 One mile, four furlongs

Day 5 – Saturday 20 June

• 12.40pm The Silver Wokingham Stakes (Handicap) (A consolation race for the Wokingham Stakes) 3+ £35,000 Six furlongs
• 1.15pm The Queen Mary Stakes (Group 2) 2 fillies £50,000 Five furlongs
• 1.50pm The Coronation Stakes (Group 1) 3 fillies £250,000 Old mile
• 2.25pm The Coventry Stakes (Group 2) 2 £60,000 Six furlongs
• 3.00pm The St James’s Palace Stakes (Group 1) 3 colts £250,000 Old Mile
• 3.35pm The Diamond Jubilee Stakes (Group 1) 4+ £250,000 Six furlongs
• 4.10pm The Wokingham Stakes (Handicap) 3+ £75,000 Six furlongs
• 4.40pm The Queen Alexandra Stakes (Conditions) 4+ £35,000 Two miles, six furlongs

Who are the racing presenters on ITV?

ITV racing presenter and pundit Ed Chamberlain will present each days coverage alongside Francesca Cumani.

Analysis will be provided by AP McCoy and Jason Weaver while commentary coems from Richard Hoiles.

Race reports will be delivered by Oli Bell, Brough Scott, Lucy Verasamy, Charlotte Hawkins, Mark Heyes and Matt Chapman.