How to Watch NASCAR 2026 Live From Anywhere

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

1. Get a VPN – NordVPN is the most reliable option (77% off here)
2. Connect to a New Zealand server
3. 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

Where to Watch NASCAR 2026 by Region

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.

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.

TNT Races (June — July)

TNT picks up five midsummer races including the prestigious Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis.

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.

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

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.

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

• VelocityNews — ThreeNow 2026 coverage confirmed free
• ThreeNow — official NASCAR page

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

Petr

I'm Petr, and the online world has been my playground for more than 25 years. I've been working in IT since 2005, moving through development, project management, and eventually building my own services and online businesses. I create websites, launch projects, test new tools, figure out what actually works and what doesn’t, and share practical tips that save people time, money, and stress. I’ve also been actively investing since 2016. I enjoy digging into the markets, trying different platforms, and looking for long term opportunities that make real sense. For me, investing naturally fits into everything I already do online: analyzing, testing, learning, and optimizing. On this site, you’ll find straightforward articles, honest insights, and a bit of humor or irony here and there. When I’m not at the keyboard, I’m usually out on a bike trail or checking out a new golf course. And when I’m not doing that, I’m somewhere on the road with my wife and our two sons.

See Full Bio