The Tour de France Femmes returns from 1-9 August 2026, with nine stages taking the peloton from Lausanne in Switzerland to the final showdown around Nice.
For viewers, coverage is extensive. The race is broadcast across much of the world, but the channel and streaming platform depend on where you live.
In the UK, every stage will be shown live by TNT Sports and streamed through HBO Max. France has free-to-air coverage through France Télévisions, Australia gets every stage free through SBS, while Peacock remains the main streaming option in the United States.
For the racing itself, ProCyclingUK’s Tour de France Femmes 2026 route guide covers all nine stages, including the Dijon time trial, Mont Ventoux and the final weekend around Nice.
Here is how to watch the 2026 Tour de France Femmes by country.
How to watch the Tour de France Femmes 2026 in the UK
UK viewers can watch every stage live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.
TNT Sports carries the television coverage, while HBO Max is now the main direct streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK after the move away from discovery+.
For a full UK-specific breakdown, including how the new streaming setup works, see our guide to watching the Tour de France Femmes 2026 in the UK.
The Tour de France Femmes runs from Saturday 1 August to Sunday 9 August, with live coverage across all nine stages.
Daily highlights are also expected to give viewers a free-to-air option in the UK, although the full live race remains behind the TNT Sports subscription.
What should UK viewers expect from the 2026 race?
The 2026 edition has been designed as the hardest and most complete Tour de France Femmes so far.
It includes three flat stages, three hilly stages, two mountain stages and a 21km individual time trial.
The route also reaches a record total distance of around 1,175km and almost 18,800 metres of climbing.
That variety means the live coverage should matter particularly on stages where the race can split long before the finish.
The full tactical picture is covered in our Tour de France Femmes 2026 riders to watch guide, which looks at the main GC riders, sprinters and stage hunters.
How to watch in the United States
In the United States, the main Tour de France Femmes coverage is through NBC Sports and Peacock.
Peacock is the key streaming option for viewers wanting to follow the race online.
The stages take place during the morning and early afternoon in US time zones, with exact daily timings varying significantly depending on stage length and location.
For American viewers, the biggest days to circle are likely to include the Dijon time trial, the Mont Ventoux summit finish and the final weekend around Nice.
How to watch in Canada
Canadian viewers can watch the Tour de France Femmes through FloSports, primarily via FloBikes.
FloBikes is subscription-based and remains the main Canadian streaming destination for the Tour.
Live coverage and on-demand replays are available through supported FloSports platforms, although the exact replay availability can vary.
How to watch in Australia
Australia remains one of the easiest countries in which to watch the Tour de France Femmes.
SBS and SBS On Demand provide live coverage free of charge.
That gives Australian viewers access through both television and streaming without requiring a specialist cycling subscription.
Because of the time difference, most stages will take place late in the evening Australian time.
Full-stage replays through SBS On Demand also make the race considerably easier to follow for viewers who do not want to stay up late.
How to watch in France
France Télévisions remains the domestic home of the Tour de France Femmes.
Live coverage is available through France Télévisions, with streaming through france.tv.
That gives French viewers extensive free-to-air access to the biggest stage race in women’s cycling.
The interest should be particularly strong again in 2026 with Pauline Ferrand-Prévot returning as the defending champion.
For historical context on Ferrand-Prévot and the other modern champions, see our Tour de France Femmes winners list.
Photo Credit: A.S.O./Fabien BouklaHow to watch in Belgium
Belgium has strong domestic coverage.
French-speaking viewers can follow the race through RTBF, while Flemish coverage is available through VRT.
That gives Belgian viewers free domestic options alongside the wider Eurosport and HBO Max coverage available across parts of Europe.
How to watch in the Netherlands
Dutch viewers can watch the Tour de France Femmes through NOS, alongside wider European Eurosport and HBO Max options.
The Netherlands remains one of the most significant markets for women’s cycling, even as the race has gradually become less dominated by Dutch riders than during the opening editions.
How to watch in Germany
German viewers have coverage through ARD, with Eurosport and HBO Max providing additional options.
The exact balance between television and streaming can vary between stages, so viewers wanting uninterrupted live coverage may prefer the dedicated streaming service.
Germany also has significant interest in the GC battle through riders including Antonia Niedermaier.
How to watch in Spain
Spanish coverage is available through RTVE.
Eurosport and HBO Max provide additional European streaming options depending on the subscription package.
Spain has become increasingly relevant to the Tour de France Femmes conversation, particularly through Paula Blasi, who enters the race as one of the strongest young GC contenders.
How to watch in Ireland
Irish viewers can follow the race through TG4, which remains one of the most important free-to-air cycling broadcasters in Ireland.
Eurosport also provides coverage.
The HBO Max and TNT Sports arrangement used in the UK should not automatically be assumed to work identically in Ireland, so viewers using a paid service should check their local package.
How to watch in Denmark
Danish coverage is available through TV 2 Denmark.
Eurosport and HBO Max also operate across the European market.
Denmark should again have significant interest through riders such as Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig and Emma Norsgaard, depending on final team selections.
How to watch in Norway
Norwegian viewers can watch through TV 2 Norway.
Eurosport and HBO Max provide further European streaming options.
How to watch in Switzerland
Swiss viewers have particular reason to follow the opening weekend, with the race beginning in Lausanne before Stage 2 heads from Aigle to Geneva.
Coverage is available through SRG SSR.
The opening Swiss stages are among the most distinctive features of the 2026 Tour de France Femmes route, before the race crosses into France and begins building towards the harder GC tests.
How to watch in New Zealand
The official broadcaster in New Zealand is Sky Sport.
That gives viewers access through Sky’s television and streaming platforms.
As in Australia, the European timetable means the race will often take place late at night or into the early hours.
How to watch in South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa
Coverage across sub-Saharan Africa is provided by SuperSport.
The exact channel may move between stages depending on other live sporting events, so checking the daily SuperSport schedule remains advisable.
Streaming is available through the associated DStv and SuperSport services where supported.
How to watch in Latin America and the Caribbean
ESPN provides the main coverage across Latin America and the Caribbean.
Streaming options vary between individual markets and local ESPN platforms.
In Colombia, domestic broadcasters can provide additional coverage alongside the wider ESPN feed.
How to watch in the Middle East and North Africa
Coverage across the Middle East and North Africa is available through Abu Dhabi Sports.
The exact channel and streaming arrangement varies between individual countries and television providers.
How to watch in Japan
Japanese viewers can follow the Tour de France Femmes through J SPORTS.
J SPORTS remains one of the main homes for international cycling coverage in Japan.
How to watch in China
Coverage in China is available through Zhibo TV.
How to watch in South-East Asia
Across much of South-East Asia, the race is available through Eurosport.
The exact service depends on the local broadcaster and television provider.
Tour de France Femmes 2026 broadcasters by country
| Country or region | Broadcaster / live stream |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | TNT Sports, HBO Max |
| France | France Télévisions, france.tv |
| United States | NBC Sports, Peacock |
| Canada | FloSports / FloBikes |
| Australia | SBS, SBS On Demand |
| Belgium | RTBF, VRT |
| Netherlands | NOS |
| Germany | ARD, Eurosport, HBO Max |
| Spain | RTVE, Eurosport, HBO Max |
| Ireland | TG4, Eurosport |
| Denmark | TV 2 Denmark |
| Norway | TV 2 Norway |
| Switzerland | SRG SSR |
| New Zealand | Sky Sport |
| Japan | J SPORTS |
| Latin America and Caribbean | ESPN |
| Middle East and North Africa | Abu Dhabi Sports |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | SuperSport |
| South-East Asia | Eurosport |
| China | Zhibo TV |
Can you watch the Tour de France Femmes for free?
That depends heavily on the country.
Australia has one of the best free options, with live coverage through SBS and SBS On Demand.
France has extensive free-to-air coverage through France Télévisions, while Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, Ireland and several other European markets also have domestic broadcasters involved.
The UK no longer has free live coverage of every stage. Full live racing sits with TNT Sports and HBO Max.
In the United States and Canada, watching the complete race generally requires a paid Peacock or FloBikes subscription.
Can you watch the Tour de France Femmes on HBO Max?
Yes, in markets where HBO Max carries the relevant Eurosport or TNT Sports package.
For UK viewers, HBO Max is the main direct streaming route to TNT Sports coverage in 2026.
This is an important change from previous editions, when discovery+ was the familiar streaming platform for British cycling fans.
Anyone specifically watching from Britain should use our UK Tour de France Femmes viewing guide rather than relying on older discovery+ instructions.
Can you use a VPN to watch another country’s coverage?
Broadcast rights are sold by territory, and streaming services normally restrict access based on location.
A VPN can alter the location seen by a streaming platform, but using one may conflict with the broadcaster’s terms and does not guarantee access. Some services also require local account details or payment methods.
The most reliable option is therefore the broadcaster licensed for the country where you are watching.
When does the Tour de France Femmes 2026 start?
Stage 1 takes place on Saturday 1 August 2026, beginning and finishing in Lausanne.
The race then moves through Switzerland before entering France, with the route becoming progressively harder.
Stage 4 is a 21km individual time trial from Gevrey-Chambertin to Dijon.
Stage 7 provides the headline summit finish on Mont Ventoux.
Stages 8 and 9 then take the race south towards Nice for the final GC showdown.
The full Tour de France Femmes 2026 route guide has every stage, distance and route type in one place.
Who should you watch at the Tour de France Femmes 2026?
The GC field is exceptionally deep.
Demi Vollering remains one of the obvious favourites, while defending champion Pauline Ferrand-Prévot has already shown that she can build an entire season around peaking for the Tour.
Paula Blasi arrives after establishing herself among the strongest stage racers of 2026, while Marlen Reusser, Anna van der Breggen, Kasia Niewiadoma, Elisa Longo Borghini and Antonia Niedermaier all have routes into the GC battle.
Lorena Wiebes should begin as the reference point for the sprint stages.
For a full breakdown, see our Tour de France Femmes 2026 riders to watch.
The final start list will contain 21 teams and up to 147 riders, with the structure explained in our guide to how many riders and teams are in the Tour de France Femmes 2026.
Across nine stages, almost every major market has an official way to watch live.
The broadcaster changes from country to country.
The race itself should be difficult to miss.
