The Tour de France is upon us, and cycling fans all across the US are gearing up. But with the race taking place across the Atlantic, how do you catch all the action? Don’t worry, we’ve got your back! Keep reading to learn how to stream live coverage of the Tour de France 2024 in the United States.
Photo shared by PierreG_09 on Flickr.com
Updates (June 30th, 2024)
Since the publication of this article, a few more details about coverage this year have become available via NBC:
- The Tour de France will not be shown on USA Network this year.
- The World feed with Anthony McCrossan and Nico Roche will not be available.
- Lance Armstrong’s podcast, The Move, will be available early through Peacock for subscribers.
Watch this space for more updates as details emerge.
How to watch the Tour de France on NBC’s Peacock.
In the US, catching all the action of the Tour de France means tuning into NBC’s Peacock streaming service. Peacock has exclusive live coverage of every stage, letting you watch all the way to the triumphant finish.
According to Peacock’s website, you can currently sign up for a Peacock Premium plan at $5.99 a month or $59.99 per year, plus tax. This price allows you to watch on up to 3 devices at a time.
It is helpful to note that Peacock also streams the Olympic coverage, including Olympic cycling, in the US, so this is a good year to consider signing up as you can also watch the 2024 Paris Olympics on the same plan.
Visit the Peacock website here to sign up.
Why is the Tour de France only on Peacock?
Broadcasting rights for major sporting events are like territories on a map – different companies own the rights to show them in different countries. In the US, NBC Universal holds the exclusive broadcasting rights for the Tour de France for the United States through an agreement with the Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO). This agreement grants NBCUniversal the right to air ASO races on their channels, primarily Peacock. Other races covered on Peacock include the Vuelta a España, Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, Critérium du Dauphiné, and multiple prestigious classics and one-day races like Paris-Roubaix, Liège–Bastogne–Liège, La Flèche Wallonne, and Amstel Gold Race.
Is the Tour de France available on Max through the B-R Sports package?
Eurosport (owned by Warner Bros. Discovery) holds the rights for broadcasting the Tour de France across many European countries, though not all. Although it shares the same parent company as Max, which also broadcasts cycling in the US, it is not able to broadcast the Tour de France in the States as that would infringe on NBC Universal’s exclusive rights. The Tour de France will not be available on Max for 2024.
Peacock’s in-depth coverage has everything for Tour de France superfans.
Peacock offers the most complete coverage of the Tour de France for American viewers. You can catch every stage live or by replay. They also have pre-race shows and on-demand content available through the Peacock interface to keep you in the cycling loop throughout the entire month of July. With the Peacock app, you can also stream the race on your phone or tablet.
Who are the Tour de France commentators on Peacock?
On Peacock, the main Tour de France feed’s commentary is led by the knowledgeable duo of Phil Ligett and Bob Roll. For decades, Phil’s voice has been synonymous with the Tour de France. His enthusiasm and cycling knowledge really bring the race to life to first-time (and long-time!) viewers. He’s covered an incredible 51 Tours de France, and his iconic commentary is a huge part of what makes watching the Tour de France special. Bob Roll, a former American cyclist himself, also brings his racing experience and charismatic personality to the booth. He’s known for his insightful analysis and colorful descriptions of the peloton’s action. Another regular in the booth and on the moto is Christian Vande Velde, another retired cyclist from the 2000s who complements the team with his tactical knowledge and perspective from on the ground.
Opting for the commercial-free World feed on Peacock switches you to Anthony McCrossan and Nico Roche in the booth. McCrossan, a seasoned commentator who has covered cycling for many years, provides in-depth knowledge and keeps the broadcast engaging. Nico Roche is a retired Irish professional rider who offers his unique insights from his racing background. These two give viewers well-rounded commentary, and many prefer to watch the World feed for their coverage, which is more cerebral in tone than the standard feed.
Note: the World feed will not be available in 2024, but may return for future editions.
Are Tour de France replays available on Peacock?
Yes, you can watch replays of every single stage after it concludes. This means you can catch up on any stages you miss live, or even re-watch your favorite moments from the race. This is a great feature for US viewers who might struggle with the early start times for each stage.
You will be able to watch replays of each stage for approximately one year after their air dates.
You can also watch select Tour coverage outside of Peacock.
Peacock not for you? Some people prefer a lower-cost or free option for viewing the Tour de France. Fortunately, some options exist for that as well, although they are more limited.
This year, NBC will air two stages of the Tour de France, allowing viewers with a standard TV antenna to enjoy some of the race without needing a streaming subscription. The stages shown on TV are Stage 8, which takes place on Saturday, July 6th, and Stage 14, which takes place on Saturday, July 13th. The broadcasts may be restricted to certain times in your area, so check your local NBC schedule for the specific broadcast information.
Looking for a Tour de France fix without the time or money commitment? The NBC Sports YouTube channel has you covered. After each stage concludes, they upload extended highlights for free. These recaps, which range in duration from 30 minutes to an hour, condense the day’s key moments, letting you stay up-to-date without needing to pay for a Peacock subscription or watch for several hours. It’s a fantastic free option for folks who are new cycling viewers, who want to try out watching the Tour de France for the first time, or for those who are too busy to watch the full broadcasts. They can also be a fun way to relieve favorite stages from past years’ Tours. Check out the extended highlights from Stage 11 of the 2022 edition, the most exciting, decisive, and memorable stage of that year’s race!
When does Peacock Tour de France coverage start each day?
Don’t worry about missing the start time for a specific stage. We’ve got you covered. Here are all the start dates and times for each stage. Keep in mind that this year, because of the Olympics, the final stage will be a time trial held in Nice — however, this stage will still be held at a later start time, consistent with past years’ promenade stage in Paris.
Saturday, June 29th — Stage 1 — 6:30 AM EST
Sunday, June 30th — Stage 2 — 6:05 AM EST
Monday, July 1st — Stage 3 — 6:50 AM EST
Tuesday, July 2nd — Stage 4 — 7:00 AM EST
Wednesday, July 3rd — Stage 5 — 6:55 AM EST
Thursday, July 4th — Stage 6 — 7:00 AM EST
Friday, July 5th — Stage 7 — 7:10 AM EST
Saturday, July 6th — Stage 8 — 6:00 AM EST**
Sunday, July 7th — Stage 9 — 7:05 AM EST
Monday, July 8th — Rest day (no coverage)
Tuesday, July 9th — Stage 10 — 6:55 AM EST
Wednesday, July 10th — Stage 11 — 6:55 AM EST
Thursday, July 11th — Stage 12 — 6:55 AM EST
Friday, July 12th — Stage 13 — 7:30 AM EST
Saturday, July 13th — Stage 14 — 6:30 AM EST**
Sunday, July 14th — Stage 15 — 6:55 AM EST
Monday, July 15th — Rest day (no coverage)
Tuesday, July 16th — Stage 16 — 6:50 AM EST
Wednesday, July 17th — Stage 17 — 6:05 AM EST
Thursday, July 18th — Stage 18 — 6:55 AM EST
Friday, July 19th — Stage 19 — 7:05 AM EST
Saturday, July 20th — Stage 20 — 7:35AM EST
Sunday, July 21st — Stage 21 — 10:10AM
** Also broadcast on NBC (see local listings)
Read more: To view the most updated schedule on Peacock’s website, click here.
Other top tips for Tour de France viewers.
So you’re all ready to watch — but what else? Here’s everything else you should know to get geared up for a great Tour watching experience.
Build the hype!
Just stuck waiting for the Tour to begin? The last weeks of June can be the most painful time of the year for cycling fans! The Critérium du Dauphiné, often nicknamed the “mini Tour,” is the perfect appetizer to whet your appetite. Held just weeks before the main event in southeastern France, this prestigious stage race features similar climbs and challenges to what the riders will face in July.
Watching the Critérium du Dauphiné also lets you see the peloton’s star riders in action and gauge their form as they prepare to battle it out on the biggest stage in cycling. This includes Remco Evenepoel and Primož Roglič, top GC contenders the Tour de France this year, as well as standout potential stage winners such as Juan Ayuso, Mads Pedersen, and Derek Gee. It’s a fantastic way to build excitement and spot potential favorite riders before the grand spectacle arrives. Replays of this year’s race are also available to US viewers on Peacock.
Read more: 7 Cycling Documentaries to Tune Up Before the 2024 Tour de France (CyclingScoop)
Digital resources help you make the most of the race.
If you want to follow the race more closely while you watch live, consider installing the Tour de France app on your mobile device. This handy tool helps you track the peloton’s progress in real-time on detailed maps, so you know exactly when and where the action is unfolding. You can also access live data on rider times, breakaway group compositions, standings, and stage profiles, keeping you informed on every aspect of the race. The app also delivers some exclusive content to fans, such as news updates and rider interviews.
Can’t get enough stats? You can consult with cycling database websites such as Pro Cycling Stats and First Cycling before and during the race to see the startlists, live updates, interesting trivia, and all the details you could want about each rider and team’s performance, both at the Tour de France and throughout the rest of the season.
Take advantage of these digital tools to enjoy the race to its full potential. Now you’ll never see a random guy in the breakaway and say, “who is that guy?” again!
Follow Tour de France official accounts and personalities on social media for a look inside the race.
You can follow the official Tour de France and NBC Tour de France accounts on social media for an inside look at the race. You can also follow commentary personalities such as Phil, Bob, and Christian, so you can get their insights before and after each stage. Seeing updates from folks at the Tour will help you feel so much closer to the action.
Read more: Want more Tour de France action? Read our other posts about the 2024 race and beyond here.
Closing thoughts.
This is probably an objectionable, too-American comparison… but the Tour de France is like the Super Bowl of cycling. The excitement for its arrival is contagious! Witness the world’s best cyclists push their limits over brutal mountaintop finishes and thrilling sprints. This drama-filled spectacle of breathtaking scenery and athletic feats will have you glued to your screen. Now, with these streaming options in mind, you’re ready to watch every minute… even if it consumes your entire schedule for the month of July. Maybe the YouTube artist Killow, who makes cycling-inspired electronic music, captured that mood best in his Tour de France anthem, “Heavy Rotation”:
Are you ready to watch the Tour de France? Planning to catch all the stages this year, or just the ones you are looking forward to the most? Let us know your thoughts in the comments! Happy viewing! ★
PLEASE bring back World Feed commercial-free!
Peacock has ruined the TDF for me. Tony and Nico were the best announcers and the World Feed was the best coverage. Your greed has ruined this yearly event that we all wait for.
I agree wholeheartedly. I have enjoyed Phil Ligget in years past—the man’s knowledge and years of service are due mucho respect—but he is now making too many errors in his commentary (that his partner has to clean up) and those interrupt the flow. It’s a distraction. And, honestly, i’ve never warmed to Roll’s style (personal preference, but nothing against the man) though we share a devotion to all things wine so I appreciate his timely notes as the peloton flies through those regions. But that’s about all I like. It’s all made worse by the NBC studio talking heads who have no comraderie, lack deeper on-point analysis, fail to add anything of real value, and, at times, have cut away from important action for some stupid “who cares” story. TJ is terrible and too much of an EF homer and often just wrong, Brent is tolerable and more knowledgeable and seems to be evolving at least. But geez you guys, loosen up and start by dumping the suit and ties. It’s a bike race for god sake and cycling is, at its heart—you know—FUN!
I also greatly prefer Eurosport’s McCrossan and Roche. Far more interesting, intelligent and completely race-focused. In fact, why don’t you just dump the US-based show and give the broadcast rights directly to them.