The 2026 Tour de France continues with its thrilling ninth stage on Sunday, July 12. Due to extreme heat warnings, the route has been shortened, creating a unique dynamic for this iconic race. Fans are eager to know how and where to catch the live action. Here, we’ll provide all the details about the event, including viewing options both on TV and via live stream.
Key Changes to the Route
This year’s ninth stage might not be one of the most spectacular in terms of scenery, but it promises to be a sweat-inducing challenge for the riders. The heat wave gripping the French summer has led organizers to alter the route significantly. Initially set at 185.5 kilometers, the distance has now been reduced to 155.5 kilometers for safety.
Notably, the early part of the race has seen a shift from the original plan, yet the crucial sections remain untouched. While the challenges are manageable, riders will still face four categorized climbs (Categories 2 to 4) before the first rest day. This setup creates ideal conditions for breakaway specialists who thrive in competitive scenarios.
Where to Watch the 2026 Tour de France
If you’re wondering where to watch the nine stages of this intriguing Tour, you’re in luck. Here are the main options:
- Eurosport: Offering more than 100 hours of live coverage, Eurosport ensures you don’t miss a beat this Tour de France. Stream the Eurosport coverage for free on Joyn.
- Discovery+: For viewers seeking streaming options, Discovery+ has you covered with live access to the Tour.
- ARD: The German public broadcasting service also provides coverage, starting weekdays at 14:10 and varying times on weekends. You can catch a live stream on sportschau.de.
- Live-Ticker: Keep updated in real time with detailed coverage from sport.de, which provides a comprehensive live ticker of all the stages.
Overview of All Stages in the 2026 Tour de France
The 2026 Tour de France features an exciting lineup of stages as follows:
- 1st Stage (Saturday, July 4): Barcelona – Barcelona (19.6 km/team time trial)
- 2nd Stage (Sunday, July 5): Tarragona – Barcelona (168.5 km)
- 3rd Stage (Monday, July 6): Granollers – Les Angles (195.9 km)
- 4th Stage (Tuesday, July 7): Carcassonne – Foix (181.9 km)
- 5th Stage (Wednesday, July 8): Lannemezan – Pau (158.3 km)
- 6th Stage (Thursday, July 9): Pau – Gavarnie-Gèdre (186.2 km)
- 7th Stage (Friday, July 10): Hagetmau – Bordeaux (175.1 km)
- 8th Stage (Saturday, July 11): Périgueux – Bergerac (180.4 km)
- 9th Stage (Sunday, July 12): Malemort – Ussel (155.5 km)
- 1st Rest Day in Cantal (Monday, July 13)
- 10th Stage (Tuesday, July 14): Aurillac – Le Lioran (166.6 km)
- 11th Stage (Wednesday, July 15): Vichy – Nevers (161.3 km)
- 12th Stage (Thursday, July 16): Circuit Nevers Magny-Cours – Chalon-sur-Saône (179.1 km)
- 13th Stage (Friday, July 17): Dole – Belfort (205.8 km)
- 14th Stage (Saturday, July 18): Mulhouse – Le Markstein Fellering (183 km)
- 15th Stage (Sunday, July 19): Champagnole – Plateau de Solaison (183.9 km)
- 2nd Rest Day in Haute-Savoie (Monday, July 20)
- 16th Stage (Tuesday, July 21): Évian-les-Bains – Thonon-les-Bains (26.1 km/individual time trial)
- 17th Stage (Wednesday, July 22): Chambéry – Voiron (174.7 km)
- 18th Stage (Thursday, July 23): Voiron – Orcières-Merlette (185.2 km)
- 19th Stage (Friday, July 24): Gap – Alpe d’Huez (127.9 km)
- 20th Stage (Saturday, July 25): Le Bourg d’Oisans – Alpe d’Huez (170.9 km)
- 21st Stage (Sunday, July 26): Thoiry – Paris/Champs-Élysées (133 km)
Get ready to cheer on your favorites as this year’s Tour de France promises to deliver excitement, challenges, and unforgettable moments!
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