The Tour de France 2026 starts today, Saturday, July 4, with the Grand Départ in Barcelona, Spain — and for US viewers, live coverage of Stage 1 begins at 10 a.m. ET on Peacock and NBCSN, per NBC Sports. Here's everything you need in one place: today's start time, where to watch, the full 2026 dates, who's leading, and the riders expected to fight for yellow.
When Does the Tour de France 2026 Start? Full Dates
The 113th Tour de France runs July 4–26, 2026, covering 21 stages over three weeks. Per NBC, the race begins in Barcelona — only the third Grand Départ ever held in Spain — and finishes on the Champs-Élysées in Paris on Sunday, July 26.
Stage 1 is historic in its own right: a 19.56 km team time trial through Barcelona, finishing on the punchy roads around Montjuïc. According to NBC, it's the first time the Tour has opened with a team time trial since 1971.
Where to Watch the Tour de France Live in the US
- Peacock: Streams all 21 stages live. Plans start at $7.99/month (or $79.99/year); ad-free is $16.99/month.
- NBC (broadcast TV): Joins for live coverage of stages 8, 14, 15, 20 and 21.
- NBC Sports NOW: "Tour de France Daily" highlights and recap show airs 7–8 p.m. ET throughout the race, also on Peacock.
So if you're asking "what is the Tour de France streaming on?" — the short answer is Peacock for every stage, with NBC carrying select weekend stages on broadcast TV.
Tour de France Start Time Today (July 4)
NBC Sports' live coverage of today's opening team time trial in Barcelona begins at 10 a.m. ET on Peacock and NBCSN. On most other race days, Peacock's live coverage starts much earlier — around 6 to 6:30 a.m. ET with pre-race shows, because stages roll out in the European afternoon.
One wrinkle to watch: The Guardian reports the race is bracing for possible historic stage disruptions amid a 44°C (111°F) European heatwave, so schedule tweaks in the opening days are not off the table.
Who Is the Tour de France Leader Right Now?
No one holds the yellow jersey yet — the race begins today, and the first maillot jaune of 2026 will be awarded after Stage 1's team time trial in Barcelona. Because it's a team event, the first leader will come from whichever squad clocks the fastest time, with Cyclingnews noting Pogacar's, Vingegaard's and Evenepoel's teams — plus TTT specialists Ineos — all in the hunt.
Tadej Pogacar enters as the defending champion, having won in 2020, 2021, 2024 and 2025.
The Favorites: Pogacar vs Vingegaard, Again
- Tadej Pogacar (UAE): The runaway favorite, per Cyclingnews and Racing Post — odds-on to win a record-equalling fifth Tour.
- Jonas Vingegaard (Visma): The two-time winner is the clear No. 1 challenger after an assured Giro d'Italia victory earlier this year, with a TTT-strong team around him including Matteo Jorgenson and Victor Campenaerts.
- Remco Evenepoel: In the GC mix from day one — Stage 1's time trial format suits him.
- Paul Seixas: The young French rider Cyclingnews says has "seemed to improve by the day," carrying home hopes.
With a team time trial opening the race for the first time in 55 years, GC gaps could appear on day one — making today's stage unusually consequential for a Tour opener.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What time does the Tour de France start today?
Live US coverage of Stage 1 begins at 10 a.m. ET today (July 4) on Peacock and NBCSN, per NBC Sports. Most other stages start around 6–6:30 a.m. ET on Peacock.
What is the Tour de France 2026 streaming on?
Peacock streams all 21 stages live in the US. NBC also broadcasts stages 8, 14, 15, 20 and 21 on TV. Peacock starts at $7.99/month.
What are the Tour de France 2026 dates?
July 4–26, 2026. The race starts with a team time trial in Barcelona, Spain, and finishes on the Champs-Élysées in Paris.
Who is the Tour de France leader?
The first yellow jersey of 2026 will be awarded after today's Stage 1 team time trial. Tadej Pogacar is the defending champion and the odds-on favorite, with Jonas Vingegaard his top challenger.
