When does Tour de France 2026 start? Stage 1 location, time, TV channel, live stream to watch cycling race

When does Tour de France 2026 start? Stage 1 location, time, TV channel, live stream to watch cycling race originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Cycling’s signature event is nearly here, with the start of the 2026 Tour de France just days away.

With the spring classics, the Giro d’Italia and several one-week tours already in the books, July will as always put the focus squarely on the race for the most coveted jersey in the sport. The grueling three-week test begins in Spain this year before winding to its conclusion on the Champs-Elysees in Paris. 

Two-time defending champion Tadej Pogacar enters this year’s Tour as the favorite as he goes for his fifth win overall. If he can add another yellow jersey to those he won the last two years and in 2020 and 2021, the Slovenian would join the ranks of the Tour legends with five to their name: Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain.  

His top challenger figures to be the man who interrupted his run with wins in 2022 and 2023, Jonas Vingegaard. The Danish star wrapped up his first Giro title about a month ago, making him the eighth rider to win all three grand tours. 

Those two will be in the spotlight from the beginning at this year’s Tour. Here’s everything you need to know about when and where to tune in to all the action from the beginning. 

When does Tour de France 2026 start? 

• Start date: Saturday, July 4
• Stage 1 start time: 10 a.m. ET

This year’s Tour de France will roll out Saturday, July 4 with a rare opening team time trial, the first on Stage 1 since 1971. Coverage in the United States will begin at 10 a.m. ET, with the first team set to begin racing at 11:05 a.m. ET.

Where is Tour de France Stage 1 in 2026?

The Tour de France will begin in neighboring Spain for the third time, with Barcelona hosting the first two stages. Bilbao (2023) and San Sebastian (1992) previously served as the Grand Depart site. 

The team time trial for Stage 1 will be the first at the Tour since 2019 but will feature a new format. Though a team ultimately will be declared the stage winner, riders will be given individual times based on their finish. 

Where to watch Tour de France 2026

• TV channel: NBC (select stages), NBCSN (via YouTube TV)
• Live stream:Peacock

Cycling fans can watch every stage of the 2026 Tour de France live on Peacock. That coverage will also be on NBCSN, which is available via YouTube TV and other providers.

NBC will have live coverage of two stages: Stage 8 on July 11 and Stage 20 on July 25. Fans can also stream that coverage via YouTube TV and Peacock. 

Peacock features live coverage of NFL Sunday Night Football, the NBA, the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Premier League soccer, Big Ten football and basketball, Notre Dame football, Big East and Big 12 basketball, PGA Tour golf, the Tour de France and more.

Tour de France 2026 schedule

The Tour de France will consist of 21 stages, with two rest days built in. Start times listed below are when coverage begins. NBC coverage listed below is live; the network will also air encore presentations of Stages 14 and 15 the afternoon of July 18 and 19, respectively.

StageDateLocation (type)LengthTime (ET)Watch1July 4Barcelona (team time trial)19.7 km (12.2 mi)10 a.m.Peacock, NBCSN via YouTube TV2July 5Tarragona to Barcelona (hilly)178 km (111 mi)7 a.m.Peacock, NBCSN3July 6Granollers to Les Angles (mountain)196 km (122 mi)5:30 a.m.Peacock, NBCSN4July 7Carcassonne to Foix (hilly)182 km (113 mi)6:30 a.m.Peacock, NBCSN5July 8Lannemezan to Pau (flat)158 km (98 mi)7 a.m.Peacock, NBCSN6July 9Pau to Gavarnie-Gedre (mountain)186 km (116 mi)6 a.m.Peacock, NBCSN7July 10Hagetmau to Bordeaux (flat)175 km (109 mi)6:30 a.m.Peacock, NBCSN8July 11Perigueux to Bergerac (flat)182 km (113 mi)6:30 a.m.Peacock, NBCSN, NBC (8 a.m.)9July 12Malemort to Ussel (hilly)185 km (115 mi)6:30 a.m.Peacock, NBCSN—July 13Rest day at Cantal———10July 14Aurillac to Le Lioran (mountain)167 km (104 mi)6:30 a.m.Peacock, NBCSN11July 15Vichy to Nevers (flat)161 km (100 mi)7 a.m.Peacock, NBCSN12July 16Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours to Chalon-sur-Saone (flat)181 km (112 mi)7 a.m.Peacock, NBCSN13July 17Dole to Belfort (hilly)205 km (127 mi)6:30 a.m.Peacock, NBCSN14July 18Mulhouse to Le Markstein Fellering (mountain)155 km (96 mi)6:30 a.m.Peacock, NBCSN15July 19Champagnole to Plateau de Solaison (mountain)184 km (114 mi)6:30 a.m.Peacock, NBCSN—July 20Rest day at Haute-Savoie———16July 21Evian-les-Bains to Thonon-les-Bains (individual time trial)26 km (16 mi)6:30 a.m.Peacock, NBCSN17July 22Chambery to Voiron (flat)175 km (109 mi)6:30 a.m.Peacock, NBCSN18July 23Voiron to Orcieres-Merlette (mountain)185 km (115 mi)6 a.m.Peacock, NBCSN19July 24Gap to Alpe d’Huez (mountain)128 km (80 mi)7 a.m.Peacock, NBCSN20July 25Le Bourg-d’Oisans to Alpe d’Huez (mountain)171 km (106 mi)5 a.m.Peacock, NBCSN, NBC (8 a.m.)21July 26Thoiry to Paris (flat)130 km (81 mi)9:30 a.m.Peacock, NBCSN