BAHRAIN INTERNATIONAL TROPHY SET FOR GLOBAL BROADCAST AUDIENCE
Kingdom’s US$1.5 million showpiece to be covered by 25 networks across more than 130 territories
Wednesday, 11th November 2026 – The Group 1 US$1.5 million Bahrain International Trophy will be broadcast around the world on Friday, 13 November, with 25 networks delivering coverage across more than 130 territories.
Some of the world’s leading broadcasters will showcase the Kingdom’s biggest race, including FOX Sports in the United States and ESPN and Disney+ across Latin America and the Caribbean. Viewers throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Australasia will also be able to follow the action.
Racecourse Media Group (RMG), working with HBA Media on behalf of the Bahrain Turf Club, has secured the extensive international distribution for the contest, now elevated to Group 1 status.
This year’s coverage will be built around a new, dedicated 90-minute programme, BIT90, giving the event 50 per cent more airtime on participating linear networks.
Hosted by Nick Luck and Steve Ryder, with reporting from Aly Vance and Nick Lightfoot, the programme will feature both the Bahrain International Trophy (4.35pm GMT) and the US$400,000 Gulf of Bahrain Cup (3.45pm GMT), sponsored by Finpro. Broadcasters will also receive extensive supporting content, including promotional material, interviews and Ryder’s runner-by-runner guide.
In Europe, Sky Sports Racing and Racing TV will carry the programme in the UK and Ireland, alongside Virgin Media in Ireland, Polsat in Poland and Silknet in Georgia. WeDo Sports will provide coverage across Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
New agreements for 2026 include Tapmad, which will bring the Bahrain International Trophy to its growing digital audience in Pakistan, and D-Smart in Turkey. WeDo’s coverage has also expanded into Asia for the first time.
In Australia, Channel 7 and Racing.com will continue their coverage of major international racing, while the event will also be available through Sky Racing.
Bahrain TV and Dubai Racing Channel provide coverage across the Middle East and North Africa. Reuters will make the programme available to its global news network.
Yusuf Buheji, CEO of the Bahrain Turf Club, said: “The Bahrain International Trophy is the centrepiece of our season and has established itself as one of the most important international races staged in the region.
“The scale of this year’s television distribution demonstrates the race’s growing global profile. The expanded 90-minute programme will allow audiences around the world to experience more of our biggest raceday and showcase Bahrain as an international destination for world-class horseracing.
“We thank RMG and HBA Media for securing such widespread coverage and look forward to welcoming racing fans around the world to this year’s event.”
Seb Vance, Director of Communications and International TV Distribution at RMG, said: “RMG and HBA Media are proud to oversee the international television distribution of the Bahrain International Trophy on behalf of the Bahrain Turf Club.
“The continued support of major broadcasters such as FOX Sports, ESPN, Disney+ and Virgin Media, together with new agreements in Pakistan and Turkey, underlines the international appeal of Bahrain’s flagship race.
“The introduction of BIT90 is an important step forward. It provides broadcasters with a premium, self-contained programme in a prime viewing window, while giving the Bahrain International Trophy, its participants and commercial partners an even stronger platform around the world.”
Confirmed broadcasters
- Middle East and North Africa: Bahrain TV; Dubai Racing Channel
- Europe: D-Smart; Equidia; Polsat; Racing TV; Silknet; Sky Sports Racing; TJK; Virgin Media; WeDo Sports
- Americas: Disney+; ESPN; FanDuel; FOX Sports
- Africa: Gallop TV; Racing 240
- Australasia: Channel 7; Racing.com; Sky Racing Australia; Trackside
- Asia: Tapmad; Green Channel (recording); WeDo Asia
- Global: Reuters
ENDS
