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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)
- Live stream: Peacock
Cycling fans can watch every stage of the 2026 Tour de France live on Peacock. NBC has not yet released its full coverage plans for the Tour but based on recent years fans can expect very limited coverage to air on the main broadcast network, perhaps just the final stage, so streaming will be the way to go.
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.
| 1 | July 4 | Barcelona (team time trial) | 19.7 km (12.2 mi) | 10 a.m. | Peacock |
| 2 | July 5 | Tarragona to Barcelona (hilly) | 178 km (111 mi) | 7 a.m. | Peacock |
| 3 | July 6 | Granollers to Les Angles (mountain) | 196 km (122 mi) | 5:30 a.m. | Peacock |
| 4 | July 7 | Carcassonne to Foix (hilly) | 182 km (113 mi) | 6:30 a.m. | Peacock |
| 5 | July 8 | Lannemezan to Pau (flat) | 158 km (98 mi) | 7 a.m. | Peacock |
| 6 | July 9 | Pau to Gavarnie-Gedre (mountain) | 186 km (116 mi) | 6 a.m. | Peacock |
| 7 | July 10 | Hagetmau to Bordeaux (flat) | 175 km (109 mi) | 6:30 a.m. | Peacock |
| 8 | July 11 | Perigueux to Bergerac (flat) | 182 km (113 mi) | 6:30 a.m. | Peacock |
| 9 | July 12 | Malemort to Ussel (hilly) | 185 km (115 mi) | 6:30 a.m. | Peacock |
| — | July 13 | Rest day at Cantal | — | — | — |
| 10 | July 14 | Aurillac to Le Lioran (mountain) | 167 km (104 mi) | 6:30 a.m. | Peacock |
| 11 | July 15 | Vichy to Nevers (flat) | 161 km (100 mi) | 7 a.m. | Peacock |
| 12 | July 16 | Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours to Chalon-sur-Saone (flat) | 181 km (112 mi) | 7 a.m. | Peacock |
| 13 | July 17 | Dole to Belfort (hilly) | 205 km (127 mi) | 6:30 a.m. | Peacock |
| 14 | July 18 | Mulhouse to Le Markstein Fellering (mountain) | 155 km (96 mi) | 6:30 a.m. | Peacock |
| 15 | July 19 | Champagnole to Plateau de Solaison (mountain) | 184 km (114 mi) | 6:30 a.m. | Peacock |
| — | July 20 | Rest day at Haute-Savoie | — | — | — |
| 16 | July 21 | Evian-les-Bains to Thonon-les-Bains (individual time trial) | 26 km (16 mi) | 6:30 a.m. | Peacock |
| 17 | July 22 | Chambery to Voiron (flat) | 175 km (109 mi) | 6:30 a.m. | Peacock |
| 18 | July 23 | Voiron to Orcieres-Merlette (mountain) | 185 km (115 mi) | 6 a.m. | Peacock |
| 19 | July 24 | Gap to Alpe d'Huez (mountain) | 128 km (80 mi) | 7 a.m. | Peacock |
| 20 | July 25 | Le Bourg-d'Oisans to Alpe d'Huez (mountain) | 171 km (106 mi) | 5 a.m. | Peacock |
| 21 | July 26 | Thoiry to Paris (flat) | 130 km (81 mi) | 9:30 a.m. | Peacock |
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