How to watch Daytona 500 live: streaming details
The biggest annual event in the NASCAR Cup Series regular season, Daytona 500, kick-starts the auto-racing calendar this weekend. This year marks the 68th year of The Great American Race at Daytona International Speedway. This year, 41 drivers will compete in the 200-lap (500-mile) race. So far, 37 are locked and loaded and eight drivers must compete for the final four spots.
Want to tune in live? Here's what you need to know about the 2026 race and how to watch it for free.
When is the Daytona 500?
The 68th Daytona 500 will take place on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026 at 2:30 p.m. ET and will run through 6:30 p.m. ET.
The final four spots have yet to be decided. Two will lock in through single-car qualifying on Wednesday, Feb. 11 at 8:15 p.m. ET and the final two will get in through the duels on Thursday, Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. ET.
What channel is the Daytona 500 on?
The kickoff of the NASCAR Cup Series regular season, a.k.a The Great American Race, will be aired live on Fox for those with cable or an over-the-air antenna. To watch the qualifying and duels on Wednesday and Thursday, you'll need FS1.
How to watch the Daytona 500 without cable
Lucky for NASCAR fans (and other sports fans for that matter), Fox finally launched its own direct-to-consumer streaming service in 2025. Previously, cord-cutters would need a pay TV provider like YouTube TV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, or Sling to watch live Fox channels, but the new streaming service Fox One offers a more affordable option. And if you only want to watch the Daytona 500, you can get it for free with a seven-day trial.
Fox One is essentially a one-stop shop for the entirety of the Fox TV portfolio, giving subscribers access to live local Fox stations, as well as Fox Sports, FS1, FS2, Big Ten Network, Fox News, Fox Business, Fox Weather, Fox Deportes, and Fox Network. It costs $19.99 per month or $199.99 per year and you can choose between subscribing directly through Fox or signing up as a Prime Video add-on. Plus, as mentioned above, you'll get your first week free if you're a new subscriber. That means you can watch Sunday's race for free.
If you've already exhausted your free trial for Fox One and are looking for another way to watch Daytona 500 for free, you could sign up for a free trial of cable replacement services like YouTube TV (10-day trial), Fubo (3-day trial), or Hulu + Live TV (3-day trial). Just be sure to cancel before the trial is up or you'll be hit with a hefty monthly subscription cost.
I'd be remiss if I didn't mention digital antennas as an alternative way to watch. Digital antennas give you access to your local Fox, CBS, NBC, and ABC stations for free. As long as you live decently close to your local TV station broadcast towers, you'll be able to watch for free — just be sure to check the distance and range before making a purchase. Our friends at PCMag (which is owned by Mashable's publisher, Ziff Davis) have a few recommendations, including this basic one from Best Buy that retails for just $24.99. It's reversible to match your decor, multidirectional, and has a range of 50 miles.
Topics Streaming Sports How to Watch
Christina Buff is a Nashville-based freelance writer for who covers shopping with a splash of entertainment. If you’re ever wondering what streaming service you need to watch something (and the cheapest way to sign up for it), she’s your girl.
Christina received a B.S. in Business Communication (concentration in writing) from Stevenson University and began her professional journey writing and editing press releases. Since then, she’s written content for a marketing agency, blogged for celebrities, and covered local news, politics, women’s lifestyle, fashion, beauty, and just about everything in between for various publications.
When she’s not writing, she’s probably enjoying live music, studying human design, or embroidering and upcycling clothes. You can follow her on Instagram at @touchinfinity.
