Tour de France 2026: Stages, Start City & How to Watch Every Stage

# Tour de France 2026: Complete Stage Guide & Streaming Information The **2026 Tour de France** is the 113th edition of cycling's greatest race. Starting in **Barcelona, Spain** on **July 4**, the peloton crosses 3,300km over 21 stages before the traditional Champs-Élysées procession on **July 26**. ## Race Overview - **Grand Départ**: Barcelona, Spain — July 4 - **Finish**: Paris Champs-Élysées — July 26 - **Total Distance**: ~3,350km - **Stages**: 21 stages + 2 rest days - **Mountain stages**: 6 (including 3 summit finishes) ## Stage Highlights ### Stage 1 — Barcelona Prologue (July 4) An individual time trial through Barcelona's streets sets the tone. Specialists like Remco Evenepoel and Filippo Ganna are expected to fight for yellow from day one. ### Stages 10–12 — Pyrenees The first major mountain test. Fans pack the Col du Tourmalet and the Pla d'Adet. Expect the GC to explode here. ### Stages 17–20 — Alps The decisive week. La Toussuire, Col de la Loze, and a brutal summit finish on Alpe d'Huez (Stage 19) will decide the champion. ### Stage 21 — Paris Champs-Élysées (July 26) The sprint finish on Paris's most famous boulevard. The race leader since Stage 20 will don the yellow jersey on the podium — unless something dramatic happens. ## GC Favourites - **Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates)**: Two-time champion. Dominant and relentless. Hard to bet against. - **Jonas Vingegaard (Visma | Lease a Bike)**: Three-time champion who lost heavily in 2025. Motivated for revenge. - **Remco Evenepoel**: Strong against the clock, improving in mountains. Time trial stages could give him the edge. ## How to Watch Tour de France 2026 ### UK: ITV4 (Free) + Eurosport ITV4 shows daily highlights free. Eurosport shows live coverage of every stage, including the full feed with expert commentary. ### France: France 2 & France 3 (Free) Both channels show live daily coverage. France Télévisions has covered Le Tour for decades. ### USA: Peacock & NBC Sports Peacock streams every stage live. NBC Sports shows daily highlights. ### Watch Every Stage Live with StreamVault StreamVault includes **Eurosport, France Télévisions, ITV4, NBC Sports**, and the full international Tour de France feed. Watch from Stage 1 to the Champs-Élysées finish in HD. ## FAQs **Q: Where does the Tour de France 2026 start?** A: Barcelona, Spain — the first Spanish Grand Départ in the modern era. **Q: How long is the Tour de France 2026?** A: 23 days (21 stages + 2 rest days), running July 4–26. **Q: Can I watch the Tour de France for free in the UK?** A: ITV4 shows the daily highlights programme free. Live full coverage requires Eurosport. Watch all 21 stages live with StreamVault. **Free 24-hour trial available.**