If you’re outside the United States, watching NASCAR live in 2026 is officially almost impossible. There is no broadcast deal in most of the world, geo-blocks stop you at every turn, and illegal streams are unreliable. The result: millions of international fans miss every race.
The good news is there’s a working fix that takes five minutes, costs under $2 a month, and in one case lets you watch the entire 2026 season completely free. This guide shows you exactly how.
Quick Answer
- Get a VPN – NordVPN is the most reliable option (77% off here)
- Connect to a New Zealand server
- Go to ThreeNow (threenow) and watch every race live, for free
ThreeNow is the only platform in the world that broadcasts the complete 2026 NASCAR Cup Series for free. A VPN unlocks it from anywhere. All three VPNs recommended below come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so there’s zero financial risk.
Why Watching NASCAR Outside the US Is So Complicated
The US Has Six Broadcasters, the Rest of the World Has Almost Nothing
In the United States, the 2026 season is split across FOX, FS1, NBC, USA Network, TNT, and Amazon Prime Video. American fans bundle most of those through FuboTV or Hulu + Live TV and watch everything in one place.
Why Most Countries Have No Coverage
Outside the US, only the UK (Premier Sports) and New Zealand (ThreeNow) have official deals. The rest of the world gets nothing. NASCAR sells rights country by country, and most markets simply haven’t been bought. That leaves fans in Europe, Latin America, Asia, and elsewhere with no legal option.
What International Fans Are Left With
Without a proper solution, fans end up on illegal streams with poor quality, buffering, and feeds that disappear mid-race. A VPN solves this by making streaming platforms think you’re in a country with official coverage.
All Ways to Watch NASCAR 2026
Option 1: VPN + ThreeNow (Recommended)
Free. Full season. Legal in most countries. Only ongoing cost is the VPN itself ($1.99-$2.99/mo). Best solution for international fans.
Option 2: VPN + FuboTV or Hulu + Live TV
Paid service ($55.99-$89.99/mo) plus VPN. Full US broadcast experience across all six networks. Best for fans who want the complete American production.
Option 3: Premier Sports (UK Only)
No VPN needed. Paid subscription, covers most of the season. Straightforward if you’re in Britain.
Option 4: Illegal Streams
Free but unreliable, carries security risks, poor quality. Not recommended.
The Best VPNs to Watch NASCAR in 2026
Not every VPN works for streaming. ThreeNow and FuboTV actively block known VPN IPs, so you need a provider with enough infrastructure to stay ahead of those blocks.
1) NordVPN – Best Overall
The most reliable option for NASCAR streaming. 8,900+ servers across 130 countries, strong New Zealand coverage, consistently fast speeds for live HD. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Try NordVPN – 77% off + 3 months free
2) Surfshark – Best Value
At $1.99/mo the most affordable pick, and the only major VPN with unlimited simultaneous connections. Ideal if you’re watching on multiple devices or sharing with family. 4,500+ servers across 100 countries.
Try Surfshark – 87% off + 3 months free
3) ExpressVPN – Best for Speed
Premium option for travellers or anyone on a slower connection. 3,000+ servers in 105 countries, fastest speeds tested, strongest track record for bypassing geo-blocks. From $2.44/mo on the 28-month plan.
Try ExpressVPN – 81% off + 4 months free
VPN Comparison
| VPN | Servers | Countries | Price | Money-back | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | 8,900+ | 130 | $2.99/mo | 30 days | Most users |
| Surfshark | 4,500+ | 100 | $1.99/mo | 30 days | Budget / families |
| ExpressVPN | 3,000+ | 105 | from $2.44/mo | 30 days | Speed / travel |
Where to Watch NASCAR 2026 by Region
| Service | Region | Price | Free? | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ThreeNow | New Zealand (VPN) | Free | Yes | Full season, all 40 races |
| FuboTV | United States (VPN) | from $55.99/mo | Free trial | FOX, FS1, NBC, USA, TNT |
| Hulu + Live TV | United States (VPN) | $89.99/mo | Free trial | FOX, FS1, NBC, USA, TNT |
| Prime Video | United States (VPN) | Amazon Prime | Trial | May and June races only |
| Premier Sports | United Kingdom | £11.99/mo (annual) / £15.99/mo (monthly) | No | Partial season |
How to Watch NASCAR Free: Step by Step
Step 1. Sign up for NordVPN or one of the options above.
Step 2. Download the app on your device — Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, or smart TV.
Step 3. Connect to a New Zealand server.
Step 4. Go to threenow.com — the site loads without any geo-block.
Step 5. Find the NASCAR race in the live sports section and start watching.
If the stream doesn’t load, switch to a different New Zealand server. Clearing your browser cache also helps if you’ve visited ThreeNow before without a VPN.
Risks and Limitations
VPNs Can Be Detected
Streaming platforms regularly update their blocklists. If a server stops working, switching to another in the same country fixes it immediately.
Free VPNs Don’t Work Reliably
Limited server pools get blocked quickly and speeds are too slow for live streaming. Stick with a paid provider — the money-back guarantee makes it risk-free.
VPN Laws Vary by Country
VPNs are legal in most countries. Exceptions include China and Russia. Using a VPN may technically breach a streaming platform’s terms of service, but carries no legal risk for the viewer.
Prime Video Races Need a Separate Subscription
May and June races air on Amazon Prime Video. ThreeNow also carries these races, so the VPN + ThreeNow combo covers the full season without needing Prime.
Full 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Schedule
FOX and FS1 Races (February — May)
These races open the season and cover the first half of the schedule. FOX handles the biggest early events including the DAYTONA 500, while FS1 carries the mid-season stretch.
| Race | Date | Track | Broadcast |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray | Feb 4 | Bowman Gray Stadium, NC | FOX |
| America 250 Florida Duel #1 | Feb 12 | Daytona International Speedway | FOX |
| America 250 Florida Duel #2 | Feb 12 | Daytona International Speedway | FOX |
| DAYTONA 500 | Feb 15 | Daytona International Speedway | FOX |
| Autotrader 400 | Feb 22 | EchoPark Speedway, GA | FOX |
| DuraMax Grand Prix | Mar 1 | Circuit of the Americas, TX | FOX |
| Straight Talk Wireless 500 | Mar 8 | Phoenix Raceway, AZ | FS1 |
| Pennzoil 400 | Mar 15 | Las Vegas Motor Speedway | FS1 |
| Goodyear 400 | Mar 22 | Darlington Raceway, SC | FS1 |
| Cook Out 400 | Mar 29 | Martinsville Speedway, VA | FS1 |
| Food City 500 | Apr 12 | Bristol Motor Speedway, TN | FS1 |
| AdventHealth 400 | Apr 19 | Kansas Speedway, KS | FOX |
| Jack Link’s 500 | Apr 26 | Talladega Superspeedway, AL | FOX |
| Würth 400 | May 3 | Texas Motor Speedway, TX | FS1 |
| Go Bowling at The Glen | May 10 | Watkins Glen International, NY | FS1 |
| NASCAR All-Star Race | May 17 | Dover Motor Speedway, DE | FS1 |
Amazon Prime Video Races (May — June)
Prime Video takes over for six races in late May and June, including the historic Anduril 250 at Naval Base Coronado.
| Race | Date | Track | Broadcast |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coca-Cola 600 | May 24 | Charlotte Motor Speedway, NC | Prime Video |
| Cracker Barrel 400 | May 31 | Nashville Superspeedway, TN | Prime Video |
| FireKeepers Casino 400 | Jun 7 | Michigan International Speedway | Prime Video |
| Great American Getaway 400 | Jun 14 | Pocono Raceway, PA | Prime Video |
| Anduril 250 | Jun 21 | Naval Base Coronado, CA | Prime Video |
TNT Races (June — July)
TNT picks up five midsummer races including the prestigious Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis.
| Race | Date | Track | Broadcast |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota/Save Mart 350 | Jun 28 | Sonoma Raceway, CA | TNT |
| NASCAR Cup at Chicagoland | Jul 5 | Chicagoland Speedway, IL | TNT |
| Quaker State 400 | Jul 12 | EchoPark Speedway, GA | TNT |
| Window World 450 | Jul 19 | North Wilkesboro Speedway, NC | TNT |
| Brickyard 400 | Jul 26 | Indianapolis Motor Speedway, IN | TNT |
USA Network and NBC Races (August — November)
USA Network and NBC cover the second half of the season, including the entire Playoffs through to the Championship race at Homestead.
| Race | Date | Track | Broadcast |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa Corn 350 | Aug 9 | Iowa Speedway, IA | USA |
| Cook Out 400 | Aug 15 | Richmond Raceway, VA | USA |
| NASCAR Cup at New Hampshire | Aug 23 | New Hampshire Motor Speedway | USA |
| Coke Zero Sugar 400 | Aug 29 | Daytona International Speedway | NBC |
| Cook Out Southern 500 | Sep 6 | Darlington Raceway, SC | USA |
| Enjoy Illinois 300 | Sep 13 | World Wide Technology Raceway, IL | USA |
| Bass Pro Shops Night Race | Sep 19 | Bristol Motor Speedway, TN | USA |
| Hollywood Casino 400 | Sep 27 | Kansas Speedway, KS | USA |
| South Point 400 | Oct 4 | Las Vegas Motor Speedway | USA |
| Bank of America 400 | Oct 11 | Charlotte Motor Speedway, NC | USA |
| Freeway Insurance 500 | Oct 18 | Phoenix Raceway, AZ | USA |
| Yellawood 500 | Oct 25 | Talladega Superspeedway, AL | NBC |
| Xfinity 500 | Nov 1 | Martinsville Speedway, VA | NBC |
| NASCAR Cup Championship Race | Nov 8 | Homestead-Miami Speedway, FL | NBC |
2026 NASCAR Playoffs
The Playoffs run from September through November. Sixteen drivers qualify based on race wins and points, then the field is cut across four rounds until four drivers race for the title at Homestead-Miami on November 8. Whoever finishes highest among those four wins the championship, regardless of the season-long standings.
Round of 16: Darlington (Sep 6), World Wide Technology Raceway (Sep 13), Bristol Night Race (Sep 19), Kansas (Sep 27)
Round of 12: Las Vegas (Oct 4), Charlotte (Oct 11), Phoenix (Oct 18), Talladega (Oct 25)
Round of 8: Martinsville (Nov 1)
Championship: Homestead-Miami Speedway (Nov 8)
FAQ
Can I Watch NASCAR for Free Outside the US?
Yes. ThreeNow streams the full 2026 season free. Connect to a New Zealand VPN server and access it from anywhere.
Is Using a VPN Legal?
VPNs are legal in most countries. Using one may technically breach a platform’s terms of service but carries no legal risk for the viewer.
How Is NASCAR Different from Formula 1?
NASCAR races mostly on American oval tracks where door-to-door contact is part of the sport. F1 races on purpose-built circuits worldwide with strict no-contact rules. Different sports, both worth watching.
How Many Races in 2026?
40 races, February 4 through November 8.
Does a Free VPN Work?
Rarely. Free VPNs get blocked quickly and are too slow for live streaming. Use a paid VPN with a money-back guarantee instead.
Which Race to Watch First?
The DAYTONA 500 on February 15. Biggest race of the year, superspeedway chaos, immediately compelling even without prior knowledge.
Do I Need a ThreeNow Account?
Most content streams without registration. Some live events prompt a free signup requiring only an email and any valid New Zealand postcode.
Final Recommendation
For most international fans: NordVPN plus ThreeNow. Free season coverage, five-minute setup, 30-day refund if it doesn’t work.
Multiple devices or tight budget: Surfshark at $1.99/mo. Frequent traveller or difficult connection: ExpressVPN. US cord-cutters: FuboTV for the full American broadcast package.
| 3 best VPN fot Nascar | Offer + Discount | URL |
|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | 77% off + 3 months free | Try NordVPN |
| ExpressVPN | 73% off + 4 months free | Try ExpressVPN |
| SurfShark | 87% off + 2 months free | Try SurfShark |
About This Guide
Prices and availability verified February 2026. VPN recommendations based on hands-on testing against ThreeNow and FuboTV, not sponsored placements.
Affiliate disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you purchase through our links, at no extra cost to you.
NASCAR — official sources
- NASCAR.com — official 2026 Cup Series schedule
- NASCAR.com — 2026 TV guide
- Wikipedia — 2026 NASCAR Cup Series
- Jayski.com — detailed schedule with broadcast info
ThreeNow — free streaming confirmed
Streaming guides — trusted third-party sources
- TechRadar — how to watch NASCAR 2026 from anywhere
- Tom’s Guide — free stream options for international fans
- Sports Media Watch — 2026 NASCAR TV schedule
