ITV has lost the rights to the Tour de France after 25 years, and a new free-to-air home has been confirmed. Channel 5 will take over as the terrestrial broadcaster for the iconic cycling event, starting with the 2026 edition.
New Broadcasting Deal
The Tour de France has found a new home on Channel 5, which will broadcast daily highlights and live coverage of the Grand Depart when it returns to the UK in 2027. This comes after ITV lost the rights to Warner Bros Discovery, which now owns TNT Sports.
Under the new agreement, TNT Sports will provide comprehensive live coverage, while Channel 5 will offer free-to-air highlights of the Tour de France, Tour de France Femmes, Vuelta a Espana, and Giro d’Italia. The deal covers the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes from 2026 to 2028, the Vuelta a Espana from 2026 to 2028, and the Giro d’Italia from 2027 to 2029.
Channel 5 Statement
Reemah Sakaan, President of Channel 5, said: "The Grand Tours are the most prestigious cycling events in the world, watched and adored by millions, and we are delighted that 5 will be their new free-to-air home in the UK. Our daily highlights show for the Tour de France will be available to everyone at 7pm each evening this July and we'll also have daily highlights through both the Vuelta a Espana and the Giro d’Italia for the next three years, plus next year we’ll have live coverage of the Tour de France’s historic return to the UK."
Grand Depart Returns to UK
The Grand Depart, the start of the Tour de France, will be held in the UK for the first time since 2014. In 2027, the event will begin in Edinburgh, followed by Reims in France in 2028. The 2026 edition starts on July 4 in Barcelona, with live coverage on TNT Sports and HBO Max.
Scott Young, Executive Vice President of Production at Warner Bros Discovery, commented: "By combining a strong free-to-air highlights offering with our comprehensive live coverage, we are delivering unprecedented access to the sport across every platform. Cycling is one of the most compelling sports in the world, featuring extraordinary athletes and unforgettable moments, and it's important that those stories are shared with the widest possible audience."
