July 2, 2026. Louisville, KY. – Thunder Over Louisville is going global this Fourth of July! The Kentucky Derby Festival, in partnership with the Kentucky Tourism, Arts & Heritage Cabinet and WLKY, will share a special presentation of this year’s Thunder air show and fireworks with the American Forces Network. The broadcast, airing on Independence Day, will reach more than 400,000 U.S. Armed Forces personnel, Department of Defense civilian employees and their families stationed overseas.
“Every year, the U.S. military plays an important role in making Thunder Over Louisville possible,” said Matt Gibson, President & CEO of the Kentucky Derby Festival. “Sharing this year’s show with our troops and their families overseas on Independence Day is one small way we can say thank you and celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, wherever they are serving.”
“Our Commonwealth is proud to share the best fireworks show in the world,” said Governor Andy Beshear. “We celebrate our great country, and we honor the heroes who serve to protect our freedoms. We know we are only the home of the free because of the brave.”
The Thunder special will air July 4th at 7 p.m. viewer time overseas on AFN Spectrum and be streamed on the AFN Now App. It will be available to viewers on U.S. military installations, at U.S. embassies and U.S. consulates located in nearly 150 countries and territories, as well as aboard hundreds of U.S. Navy ships at sea outside of U.S. territorial waters. (It will also be shared at other times by the American Forces Network). This Fourth of July marks the 84th year the American Forces Network and its stations worldwide aired its first radio broadcast to U.S. troops in Europe during the Second World War.
“As we commemorate America’s 250th birthday, this Independence Day is especially meaningful. We are thrilled to be a part of this production airing to our armed forces, as a small token of our appreciation for their bravery and sacrifices,” said Lindy Casebier, Secretary of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts & Heritage Cabinet. “It is an honor and a pleasure to partner with the Kentucky Derby Festival on this special broadcast celebrating a very special July 4th.”
The three-hour program, produced by WLKY (Official Television Broadcast Partner of Thunder Over Louisville), features highlights from their broadcast of the 2026 Thunder, including the fireworks, drone show and air show, with a packed line-up of military and civilian aircraft.
“At WLKY, we are incredibly proud to help bring Thunder Over Louisville to service members and their families through the American Forces Network. As our country prepares to celebrate America 250, it feels especially meaningful to share one of our community’s most beloved traditions with the men and women serving our nation around the world”, said Andrea Stahlman, President & General Manager of WLKY. “This year’s show was truly incredible, and we are honored to help extend that experience beyond Louisville and connect our service members to the excitement, pride and spirit of this signature event.”
Thunder Over Louisville is one of the more than 70 events produced by the Kentucky Derby Festival in the spring. It provides an estimated impact of $114 million to the area’s economy. The 2026 Thunder Over Louisville – themed “Thunder in the U.S.A.” – took place on April 18. It was the show’s 37th production.
2026 Thunder Over Louisville Show Sponsors: Caesars Southern Indiana, Ford Motor Company, LG&E, Meijer, UA Local 502 and UPS are Presenting Sponsors of Thunder Over Louisville. Military Zone Sponsor: KCS Foundation and Waterproofing. Official Healthcare Provider: UofL Health Care. Official Bourbon: Four Roses Bourbon. Official Hotel: The Galt House Hotel. Official Soccer Partner: Lynn Family Stadium. Supporting Sponsor: CLARK Material Handling Company. Official Broadcast Partners: WLKY, Q103.1 and MIX 106.9.
About Kentucky Derby Festival
2026 marks the 71st year for the Kentucky Derby Festival, a month-long celebration packed with 70+ events leading up to the first Saturday in May. As an independent community organization, it’s supported by 4,000 volunteers, more than 400 businesses and civic groups, Pegasus Pin sponsorships and event participation. It entertains more than 1.5 million people every spring and has a local economic impact of more than $200 million. This involvement has made the Festival the largest single-attended event in Kentucky and one of the leading community celebrations in the world.
