Odds are, if you’ve attended a sporting event in your life — from high school to pro — you’ve heard “The Star-Spangled Banner” played or sung before it starts. It’s a unique time when people show their patriotism. The practice has existed since 1918, before the song became the national anthem, and spread to other sports after that. Artists performing their own renditions started in 1968.
But the anthem might be at its most meaningful during the sports on the July 4 weekend this year. That date marks the 250th birthday, or semiquincentennial, of the United States as a country.
If you find yourself itching to watch some sports on TV during the Fourth of July weekend, this could be the time to make sure you don’t miss any of the action.
We compiled the full July 4 TV schedule for sports, highlighted by the FIFA World Cup‘s Round of 16. Keep reading to see what’s on, and which channels will air which events.
Complete July 4 weekend sports TV schedule
Multiple sporting events will take place between July 3 and July 5, and many of them will air on a national network or streaming service. There are a few heavy hitters that we’ll get into later, but there are a few on the margins that should be very exciting to watch.
The matchup between the Minnesota Lynx and New York Liberty jumps out to us because of their heated rivalry. The two teams played a hard-fought WNBA Finals series that went all five games in 2024.
We’re also keeping an eye on the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres on Sunday, July 5. Those two teams are at the top of the NL West, and it’s always fun to see two SoCal teams mix it up.
Below is the full TV schedule for the July 4 weekend.
Data effective as of post date.
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Marquee Fourth of July sporting events
2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16
July 4 marks the second wave of the World Cup knockout round. After seeing 32 teams play win-or-go-home matches, the field is reduced to 16, making each game that much more exciting.
FOX will cover two English-language broadcasts, while Telemundo and Peacock Premium will air those games in Spanish.
MLB “USA 250” slate
Baseball has been dubbed “America’s Pastime” for decades. So what better way to celebrate the country’s 250th birthday than with a full slate of MLB games?
On July 3 and 4, four games will air on or near primetime. Two of them are streaming nationally on Apple TV, while the other two will air on FOX as regional broadcasts. On July 5, though, 15 games will air or stream on NBC, NBCSN, or Peacock. In other words, all 30 teams will feature on national television.
As part of the “USA 250” celebration, every MLB team will wear special uniforms and hats commemorating the semiquincentennial. And they look pretty snazzy.
Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest
Not much else says “Murica” like a good ol’ fashioned hot dog. So, in a way, watching Joey Chestnut and others scarf dozens down their gullets is the perfect July 4 celebration.
This event occurs every year on the Fourth of July, regardless of what day of the week the holiday falls. But this year, it will air on ABC as part of the 24-hour “Disney Celebrates America” coverage.
Chestnut is set to defend his title even though he’s currently on probation after pleading guilty to battery earlier this year. He was temporarily banned from competing in 2024’s event due to his sponsorship deal with Impossible Foods.
NASCAR Weekend at Chicagoland
You can make the argument that NASCAR is one of the most American sports — cars driving fast while fans hoot and holler from the stands with beers in their hands, waiting for the next pileup.
Those fans and more are in for a treat on Fourth of July weekend, when two major NASCAR races will take place. The first is part of the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series on July 4, and the other is on July 5 as part of the Cup Series. On July 3, there’s an ARCA race — the premier developmental league for NASCAR.
The 2026 Independence Day weekend marks the first time NASCAR has raced at Chicagoland in seven years.
July 4 sports schedule FAQ
Is there a World Cup game on July 4?
Yes, there are two. The first starts at 1:00 p.m., the second starts at 5:00 p.m. ET. The teams competing are to be determined.
Does Wimbledon have matches on July 4?
Yes, both men's and women's singles players will play multiple third-round Wimbledon matches throughout the day. The second round of doubles play is also scheduled for July 4, as is the first round of mixed doubles.
Can I stream sports on the July 4 weekend?
Yes, you'll be able to stream the vast majority of live sporting events throughout the Fourth of July weekend. You can subscribe to a live TV streaming service if you don't already have one, or use standalone apps like FOX One, ESPN Unlimited, HBO Max, Paramount+, and Apple TV.
Can I watch sports on July 4 for free?
Yes, but it might be tricky. A free trial for a live TV streaming service would get you through the whole weekend. Otherwise, events on ABC, CBS, NBC, or FOX can be accessed for free with a digital antenna, but that depends on your location.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com junior sports writer, Alex Vejar, researched every sporting event occurring over the Fourth of July weekend. He confirmed the TV channels showing each event. Using that information, he laid out the most interesting or exciting events fans can focus on throughout the weekend.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
