How to watch Liège–Bastogne–Liège 2026 live
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The Liège–Bastogne–Liège 2026 returns on Sunday, April 26th, 2026, as one of cycling’s five Monuments and the final race of the Ardennes Classics. Riders face more than 250km of relentless climbing through Belgium’s Ardennes region, where endurance and timing matter more than raw speed.
The men’s race starts at 10:00 AM CEST, with the finish expected around 4:20 PM CEST in Liège. Coverage often builds gradually, and some broadcasters only join the live feed partway through the race, depending on rights and scheduling.
If you want to watch live, the simplest free option is in Australia via SBS On Demand. Other regions rely on paid platforms or regional broadcasters, with availability varying by country.
How to watch Liège–Bastogne–Liège 2026 for free
In Australia, SBS holds free streaming rights for major cycling events, including the Ardennes Classics, and broadcasts both the men’s and women’s races live on SBS On Demand. To watch:
- Open SBS On Demand on your device
- Search for Liège–Bastogne–Liège 2026 on race day
- Start the live stream before the 10:00 AM CEST start
From my experience, SBS delivers one of the most complete free cycling broadcasts. It usually covers the race from early breakaways all the way to the final climb and finish.
Liège–Bastogne–Liège 2026 schedule and start times
The race follows a single long-distance format with a mass start in Liège and a return finish after nearly six hours of racing.
| Event | CEST (local) | UK | US ET | US PT | Australia AEST |
| Race start | 10:00 AM | 9:00 AM | 4:00 AM | 1:00 AM | 6:00 PM |
| Expected finish | 4:20 PM | 3:20 PM | 10:20 AM | 7:20 AM | 12:20 AM (+1 day) |
A key detail is that the race often stays controlled for long periods before exploding in the final 80km, where the major climbs begin to matter.
How to watch Liège–Bastogne–Liège worldwide
Broadcast rights for 2026 differ by region, and coverage is split across several platforms.
- USA: Peacock carries full live coverage, including the complete race feed from kilometer zero, which is a major upgrade compared to limited highlights coverage in earlier years
- UK: TNT Sports and HBO Max provide coverage, replacing the older standalone Eurosport setup
- Australia: SBS On Demand remains the main free-to-air streaming option
- Europe: Coverage varies by country, often through national broadcasters or HBO Max integrations
If the race is not available in your location, a VPN can help you access a streaming platform you already subscribe to in another region.
How to Watch Liège-Bastogne-Liège abroad
- Install a VPN on your device – I recommend NordVPN, now 75% off
- Connect to a country where your streaming service is available
- Open the platform and search for Liège–Bastogne–Liège
- Start the live stream
Best VPNs for watching Liège–Bastogne–Liège
At Cybernews, we tested VPNs for long-form live sports streaming, focusing on stability across multi-hour broadcasts. These three performed best:
- NordVPN – strongest overall performance for live sports streaming with consistently fast servers in Europe and the US
- Surfshark – budget-friendly option with unlimited device connections, useful for shared households
- Proton VPN – open-source VPN with strong privacy protections and reliable performance for long live events
From our testing, NordVPN handled long cycling streams most smoothly, especially when switching between live coverage and race replays.
Liège–Bastogne–Liège Femmes 2026
The women’s race, Liège–Bastogne–Liège Femmes, takes place on the same day, April 26th, 2026, and delivers a shorter but highly explosive version of the men’s course.
Start time: 1:35 PM CEST
Expected finish: 5:45 PM–6:10 PM CEST
This timing means the women’s race finishes shortly before the men’s race reaches its final decisive hour, making it easy to follow both events in one full day of cycling.
Route and key climbs
The Liège–Bastogne–Liège route is one of the most demanding one-day courses in cycling, combining long distance with repeated steep climbs that gradually wear down the peloton. Key features include:
- Col de Haussire – a key addition near La Roche-en-Ardenne, roughly at the midpoint of the race. It is not always decisive on its own, but it “tenderizes” the legs long before the final climbs
- Wanne – Stockeu – Haute-Levée (triptych) – a brutal sequence around 80km to go where fatigue builds sharply. Côte de Stockeu also features a monument to Eddy Merckx at the summit, a well-known landmark in cycling history
- Côte de La Redoute – one of the most common launch points for late attacks
- Côte de la Roche-aux-Faucons – often a decisive climb that splits the race
The finish returns to Liège, usually after late attacks or reduced group sprints, depending on race dynamics.
Past winners and race profile
Liège–Bastogne–Liège is one of cycling’s most prestigious Monuments, often shaped by climbers and aggressive all-rounders. Recent winners include:
- Tadej Pogačar – dominant climber and multiple Monument winner
- Remco Evenepoel – Ardennes specialist and former winner
- Alejandro Valverde – record four-time champion
In recent years, the race has become more aggressive, with winning moves happening earlier and more often on the key climbs rather than only at the finish.
What devices can you use to watch
You can watch Liège–Bastogne–Liège 2026 on most modern streaming devices:
- Smart TVs via SBS On Demand, TNT Sports, or Peacock apps
- Smartphones and tablets using official streaming apps
- Laptops and desktops through browser-based streaming
- Streaming devices like Fire TV, Apple TV, and Chromecast
When I tested cycling broadcasts, smart TVs were the most comfortable option for long viewing sessions, while mobile devices worked best for checking live race updates during key climbs.
Final thoughts
Liège–Bastogne–Liège 2026 remains one of the toughest one-day races in cycling, with a long route, steep climbs, and late-race drama that rewards endurance and tactical timing.
If you are in Australia, SBS On Demand is the easiest free option for full live coverage of both the men’s and women’s races. In other regions, access depends on local broadcasters, but a VPN can help restore access to your preferred streaming service while traveling.
