Full Schedule and How To Watch 2024 Daytona Speedweeks Anywhere In The World Full Schedule and How To Watch 2024 Daytona Speedweeks Anywhere In The World

The 2024 Daytona Speedweeks will shortly begin. See the exact time, date, and instructions for watching the race online.
2026 Daytona 500
2026 Daytona 500

Every year, one question spikes in search: Can I watch the Daytona 500 for free — and legally?

The short answer: Yes, in most parts of the U.S., you can. Here’s exactly how.

Where Is the Daytona 500 Airing?

The 2026 Daytona 500 will air nationally on FOX.

That’s important. FOX is a free over-the-air broadcast network — not cable-only.

If you have a TV antenna and live within range of a local FOX affiliate, you can watch the race live at no cost.

Option 1: Watch the Daytona 500 Free With an Antenna

Best completely free option

What you need:

  • A digital HD antenna (one-time purchase, typically $20–$40)

  • A TV with a tuner

Steps:

  1. Connect antenna to your TV.

  2. Scan for local channels.

  3. Tune into your local FOX station at race time.

No subscription. No login. 100% legal.

Signal quality depends on your location, but for most metro areas, this is the simplest solution.

Option 2: Use a Free Live TV Trial (Streaming)

Several live TV streaming services that carry FOX offer free trials, typically 5–7 days.

Common options include:

  • YouTube TV

  • Fubo

  • Hulu + Live TV

  • DirecTV Stream

How it works:

  1. Sign up for a trial.

  2. Stream the race live through the service’s app.

  3. Cancel before the trial ends to avoid charges.

Important: Always confirm your local FOX affiliate is included in your ZIP code before signing up.

This method is legal, widely used and popular for one-time events like the Daytona 500.

Option 3: Watch Through the FOX Sports App

If you already have cable or satellite:

  • Download the FOX Sports app.

  • Log in with your TV provider credentials.

  • Stream live on mobile, tablet or smart TV.

This option is not free unless you already pay for cable, but it gives you mobility.

What About Free Online Streams?

Unofficial streaming sites often appear before major sporting events. However:

  • They are illegal.

  • Streams are unstable.

  • They may expose your device to malware.

  • Video quality is inconsistent.

  • They frequently shut down mid-race.

For a four-hour race like the Daytona 500, reliability matters. Stick to legal options.

What Time Does the Race Start?

  • Green flag: 2:30 p.m. ET

  • Pre-race coverage: Typically begins around 1:00 p.m. ET on FOX

  • Command to start engines: Usually 10–15 minutes before green flag

If weather becomes a factor — which has happened frequently in Daytona history — FOX will provide updates and adjusted start times.

Best Overall Viewing Option

If you want:

  • Completely free: Use an HD antenna.

  • Flexibility on multiple devices: Use a free streaming trial.

  • Highest reliability: Cable or antenna broadcast.

For most viewers, the antenna method remains the most cost-effective long-term solution, especially since FOX also carries multiple NASCAR races throughout the season.

Daytona 500 starting order 2026

  1. Kyle Busch, No. 8 Richard Childress Racing
  2. Chase Briscoe, No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing
  3. Joey Logano, No. 22 Team Penske
  4. Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports
  5. Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Team Penske
  6. Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Spire Motorsports
  7. Austin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing
  8. Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports
  9. Brad Keselowski, No. 6 RFK Racing
  10. Michael McDowell, No. 71 Spire Motorsports
  11. John Hunter Nemechek, No. 42 Legacy Motor Club
  12. Christopher Bell, No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing
  13. Shane van Gisbergen, No. 97 Trackhouse Racing
  14. Josh Berry, No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing
  15. Daniel Suarez, No. 7 Spire Motorsports
  16. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 Hyak Motorsports
  17. Casey Mears, No. 66 Garage 66
  18. Todd Gilliland, No. 34 Front Row Motorsports
  19. Ryan Preece, No. 60 RFK Racing
  20. Ty Gibbs, No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing
  21. Alex Bowman, No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports
  22. Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing
  23. Cole Custer, No. 41 Haas Factory Team
  24. Erik Jones, No. 43 Legacy Motor Club
  25. Noah Gragson, No. 4 Front Row Motorsports
  26. Tyler Reddick, No. 45 23XI Racing
  27. Bubba Wallace, No. 23 23XI Racing
  28. Riley Herbst, No. 35 23XI Racing
  29. Corey Heim, No. 67 23XI Racing
  30. Zane Smith, No. 38 Front Row Motorsports
  31. Jimmie Johnson, No. 84 Legacy Motor Club
  32. Connor Zilisch, No. 88 Trackhouse Racing
  33. Cody Ware, No. 51 Rick Ware Racing
  34. Ty Dillon, No. 10 Kaulig Racing
  35. AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Kaulig Racing
  36. Austin Cindric, No. 2 Team Penske
  37. Ross Chastain, No. 1 Trackhouse Racing
  38. Anthony Alfredo, No. 62 Beard Motorsports
  39. William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports
  40. Justin Allgaier, No. 40 JR Motorsports
  41. Chris Buescher, No. 17 RFK Racing

Final Takeaway

Yes, you can watch the 2026 Daytona 500 for free — legally — in the United States.

Because the race airs on FOX, fans are not locked behind a cable paywall. Whether you choose an antenna or a streaming trial, there are safe and legitimate options available.

The Daytona 500 remains one of the few major sporting events that is still broadly accessible to American viewers.

And on race day, accessibility matters almost as much as speed.