How to Watch NASCAR in 2026: Every Channel & Streaming Package

NASCAR is the trickiest major sport to follow on TV in 2026, because the Cup Series is split across four different partners over the course of the year — and one of them is streaming-only. Here's the full map of who has what, so you never miss a green flag.

The Cup Series moves in four windows

2026 is year two of NASCAR's seven-year media deal, and the 38-race Cup schedule is divided like this:

• Window 1 — FOX & FS1 (14 races, roughly February–mid-May). The season opens here, including the Daytona 500 and the Bowman Gray Clash. Six of the 14 are on the FOX broadcast network (free with an antenna); the other eight are on cable FS1.
• Window 2 — Amazon Prime Video (5 races, streaming-exclusive, late May–June). These five are the catch: they are not on any TV channel, only on Prime Video. The window includes the Coca-Cola 600 and the new San Diego street race at Naval Base Coronado. If you don't have Prime, you can't watch these.
• Window 3 — TNT Sports (5 races, late June–late July). These air on TNT and truTV on cable, and simulcast on HBO Max (with the B/R Sports add-on). This stretch hosts NASCAR's In-Season Challenge bracket tournament.
• Window 4 — NBC & USA Network (14 races, August–November, the entire Playoffs). Four are on the NBC broadcast network and ten on cable USA, with select races simulcast on Peacock. The championship finale returns to Homestead-Miami on November 8.

The Xfinity Series has a new name — and it's free

The old Xfinity Series is now the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series for 2026. The best part hasn't changed: every race, plus practice and qualifying, airs on The CW — a free over-the-air network. Watch it with an antenna, the free CW app, or any live-TV service that carries The CW. No cable subscription required.

The Craftsman Truck Series

All 25 Truck races are on FOX Sports: 23 on FS1 and 2 on the FOX broadcast network (St. Petersburg and the fall Charlotte round). Truck practice and qualifying are on FS1/FS2 and the FOX Sports app.

What about Cup practice and qualifying?

This splits with the season. Through the first half, most Cup practice and qualifying sessions are on Amazon Prime Video (with some on FS1). From the Sonoma race onward, they move to truTV and HBO Max. In the NBC window, look to Peacock and the NBC Sports app.

What you'll actually need — and what it costs

There's no single subscription that covers the whole Cup season. To catch every race you'll want a mix. Approximate 2026 prices:

• Amazon Prime Video — included with Prime (about $8.99/mo for Prime Video on its own). Required for the 5 exclusive Cup races.
• HBO Max — about $18.49/mo on an ad-free plan (the B/R Sports add-on is now included there); carries the TNT-window races. Note live sports aren't on the cheapest ad-supported tier.
• Peacock — about $10.99/mo; simulcasts NBC/USA races.
• The CW app — free; all O'Reilly Series races.
• A live-TV service (YouTube TV ~$73/mo, Fubo ~$80/mo, DirecTV Stream ~$80/mo) — the simplest way to get FOX, FS1, NBC, USA, The CW and, on most, TNT/truTV in one place. It still won't cover the Prime-exclusive races.
• An antenna — free FOX, NBC and CW network races (roughly eight Cup races plus all O'Reilly races).

For most fans, the cheapest complete setup is a live-TV streaming service plus a Prime membership — the live-TV bundle handles the FOX/FS1, TNT and NBC/USA windows, and Prime covers its five exclusives.

What changed from 2025

• The Xfinity Series is renamed the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series (still all on The CW).
• The Cup championship moves from Phoenix to Homestead-Miami — its first title race there since 2019.
• The In-Season Challenge tournament returns for a second year in the TNT window.

Cup Series 2026 at a glance

Feb – mid-May	FOX + FS1 (14 races)
Late May – June	Amazon Prime Video (5, streaming-only)
Late June – July	TNT + truTV + HBO Max (5)
Aug – Nov	NBC + USA + Peacock (14, all Playoffs)
O'Reilly Series	The CW (free) — every race
Craftsman Trucks	FS1 (23) + FOX (2)

For the exact date, start time and channel of every race — Cup, O'Reilly and Trucks — see our full NASCAR 2026 schedule, updated as start times are confirmed.

Last verified July 2026. Broadcast assignments and streaming prices can change — confirm current pricing with each service. Sources include NASCAR.com and the broadcasters' own listings.