The Giro d’Italia is one of cycling’s prestigious Grand Tours and a premier fixture of the UCI World Tour. This three-week race winds its way through Italy’s stunning landscapes, from challenging alpine peaks to historic cobbled towns.
In 2026, the men’s race begins on May 8 in Bulgaria and culminates beneath Rome’s iconic golden skies on May 31. Fans can then look forward to the Giro d’Italia Women, which shifted its schedule earlier this year to overlap with the men’s finale, delivering nine days of world-class racing from May 30 to June 7.
Every stage of the men’s and women’s races will stream live on HBO Max in the U.S. But before you race off, I’ll break down the full TV schedule for both events below.
What channel shows the Giro d’Italia?
You can stream all 21 stages of the 2026 Giro d’Italia on HBO Max, but you’ll need its Standard ($16.99/mo.) or Premium ($20.99/mo.) plan to tune in. Those are the only tiers that include live sports in the U.S.
HBO Max remains an essential service for cycling fans after Warner Bros. Discovery extended its exclusive U.S. broadcasting rights through 2029. Moving forward, the platform will continue showing over 300 racing events annually, including UCI Mountain Bike World Series and Track Champions League races.
Heads up! To complete your Grand Tour of Cycling journey, you’ll need Peacock Premium to watch the Tour de France and Vuelta a España.
2026 Giro d’Italia Men TV schedule
When the 109th edition of the Giro d’Italia departs on Friday, May 8, riders will get a brief chance to find their legs. The race commences in the ancient Bulgarian city of Nesebar with a lightning-fast opening stage before crossing into Italy to tackle its notoriously daunting landscapes.
Save for three rest days on May 11, 18, and 25, the Corsa Rosa relentlessly charges toward an epic conclusion on Sunday, May 31. Check out the full men’s Giro TV schedule below, complete with U.S. start times and channel listings.
| Stage | Day | Time (ET) | Channels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Team Presentation | Wednesday, May 6 | 11:00 a.m. | HBO Max |
| 1: Nessebar to Burgas (Bulgaria) | Friday, May 8 | 6:00 a.m. | HBO Max |
| 2: Burgas to Veliko Tarnovo (Bulgaria) | Saturday, May 9 | 4:30 a.m. | HBO Max |
| 3: Plovdiv to Sofia (Bulgaria) | Sunday, May 10 | 5:30 a.m. | HBO Max |
| Rest Day | Monday, May 11 | — | — |
| 4: Catanzaro to Cosenza | Tuesday, May 12 | 7:00 a.m. | HBO Max |
| 5: Praia a Mare to Potenza | Wednesday, May 13 | 5:30 a.m. | HBO Max |
| 6: Paestum to Naples | Thursday, May 14 | 6:00 a.m. | HBO Max |
| 7: Formia to Blockhaus | Friday, May 15 | 4:30 a.m. | HBO Max |
| 8: Chieti to Fermo | Saturday, May 16 | 6:45 a.m. | HBO Max |
| 9: Cervia to Corno alle Scale | Sunday, May 17 | 6:00 a.m. | HBO Max |
| Rest Day | Monday, May 18 | — | — |
| 10: Viareggio to Massa | Tuesday, May 19 | 6:30 a.m. | HBO Max |
| 11: Porcari to Chiavari | Wednesday, May 20 | 6:00 a.m. | HBO Max |
| 12: Imperia to Novi Ligure | Thursday, May 21 | 6:30 a.m. | HBO Max |
| 13: Alessandria to Verbania | Friday, May 22 | 6:00 a.m. | HBO Max |
| 14: Aosta to Pila | Saturday, May 23 | 6:15 a.m. | HBO Max |
| 15: Voghera to Milan | Sunday, May 24 | 7:30 a.m. | HBO Max |
| Rest Day | Monday, May 25 | — | — |
| 16: Bellinzona to Carì (Switzerland) | Tuesday, May 26 | 7:00 a.m. | HBO Max |
| 17: Cassano d'Adda to Andalo | Wednesday, May 27 | 5:30 a.m. | HBO Max |
| 18: Fai della Paganella to Pieve di Soligo | Thursday, May 28 | 6:30 a.m. | HBO Max |
| 19: Feltre to Alleghe | Friday, May 29 | 6:00 a.m. | HBO Max |
| 20: Gemona del Friuli to Piancavallo | Saturday, May 30 | 4:00 a.m. | HBO Max |
| 21: Rome to Rome | Sunday, May 31 | 8:45 a.m. | HBO Max |
2026 Giro d’Italia Women TV schedule
The Giro d’Italia Women will begin its 37th edition with a massive calendar shift. Starting in late May in Cesenatico, the 2026 race will travel throughout northern Italy across nine grueling stages—its longest route since 2001.
I’ve got my eyes on Stage 8, which will feature the peloton tackling the legendary, gravel-paved Colle delle Finestre for the first time in race history. The event then wraps up the following day with a grand finale in Saluzzo, as outlined in the table below.
| Stage | Day | Time (ET) | Channels |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1: Cesenatico to Ravenna | Saturday, May 30 | 10:30 a.m. | HBO Max |
| 2: Roncade H-Farm to Caorle | Sunday, May 31 | 6:45 a.m. | HBO Max |
| 3: Bibione to Buja | Monday, June 1 | 9:30 a.m. | HBO Max |
| 4: Belluno to Nevegal | Tuesday, June 2 | 8:15 a.m. | HBO Max |
| 5: Longarone to Santo Stefano di Cadore | Wednesday, June 3 | 9:30 a.m. | HBO Max |
| 6: Ala to Brescello | Thursday, June 4 | 9:30 a.m. | HBO Max |
| 7: Sorbolo Mezzani to Salice Terme | Friday, June 5 | TBD | HBO Max |
| 8: Rivoli to Sestriere | Saturday, June 6 | TBD | HBO Max |
| 9: Saluzzo to Saluzzo | Sunday, June 7 | TBD | HBO Max |
How can I watch the Giro d’Italia for free?
Unfortunately, there isn’t a completely free way to watch the entire Giro d’Italia live in the U.S. Streaming access to the men’s and women’s races requires a Standard or Premium HBO Max subscription.
Platforms like Amazon Prime Video and Hulu sometimes offer HBO Max free trials. But these are often short-lived (typically around seven days) and not a reliable way to follow every Giro stage.
How to watch the Giro d’Italia FAQ
Is the Giro d'Italia on TV in the US?
Yes, the Giro d'Italia will stream exclusively on HBO Max in the U.S. But to access live sports on HBO Max, you must have a Standard or Premium subscription.
How can I watch the Giro d'Italia Women?
You can watch the Giro d'Italia Women on HBO Max. Following the race's 2024 rebrand and takeover by RCS Sport, the women's event has moved from its traditional July slot to late May, creating more alignment with the men's race.
Can I watch the Giro d'Italia on Peacock?
No, Peacock doesn't carry the Giro d'Italia. But NBCUniversal's streaming service shows other cycling events, including the Tour de France, Vuelta a España, and Olympic cycling races.
Why you should trust us
Our CableTV.com Sports Editor, Taylor Kujawa, researched and tested the best ways to watch the Giro d’Italia in the U.S. With limited viewing options this year, Taylor analyzed HBO Max’s race coverage, pricing, and ease of use. He also compiled start times and other race details to help you know when to tune in.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
