Ways to watch the Daytona 500 at a glance:
Fox One
7-day free trial, then $19.99/month
YouTube TV
10-day free trial, then $59.99/month for 2 months
The biggest annual event in the NASCAR Cup Series regular season, the Daytona 500, kicks off 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 have been 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 pm ET and will begin at 6:30 pm ET.
The final four spots have yet to be decided. The pair will enter qualifying in one car on Wednesday, Feb. 11 at 8:15 pm ET and the final two will enter the competition on Thursday, Feb. 12 at 7 pm ET.
What station is the Daytona 500 on?
The regular season opener for the NASCAR Cup Series, also known as The Great American Race, will be broadcast live on Fox for those with cable or an over-the-air antenna. To watch qualifying matches and duels on Wednesday and Thursday, you will need FS1.
How to watch the Daytona 500 without cable
Lucky for NASCAR fans (and other sports fans for that matter), Fox is finally launching its 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 new streaming service Fox One offers an affordable option. And if you just 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 entire Fox TV portfolio, giving subscribers access to local Fox channels, 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 subscribing as a Prime Video add-on. And, 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.
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7-day free trial, then $19.99/month
7-day free trial, then $19.99/month
If you’ve already finished your Fox One free trial and want another way to watch the Daytona 500 for free, you can sign up for a free trial of alternative cable services like YouTube TV (10-day trial), Fubo (3-day trial), or Hulu + Live TV (3-day trial). Just make sure you cancel before the trial ends or you’ll be hit with a higher monthly subscription fee.
10-day free trial, then $59.99/month for 2 months
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention digital antennas as an alternative view. Digital sticks give you access to your local Fox, CBS, NBC, and ABC channels for free. As long as you live close to your local TV station’s broadcast towers, you’ll be able to watch for free — just make sure you check the distance before you buy. Our friends at PCMag (owned by Mashable publisher Ziff Davis) have a few recommendations, including this basic one from Best Buy that costs just $24.99. It’s retractable to match your decor, multidirectional, and has a range of 50 miles.
