We may earn affiliate commissions for the recommended products. Learn more.

How to watch Speed Skating World Cup Inzell 2026: live streams, TV channels, free options, and race schedule


The ISU Speed Skating World Cup Inzell is the final stop of the 2025–26 ISU Speed Skating World Cup season. The event takes place from January 23–25, 2026, at the Max Aicher Arena, one of Europe’s fastest indoor speed skating venues. Results in Inzell directly affect the final World Cup standings across multiple distances.

The competition features the world’s top long-track speed skaters racing in events such as the 500m, 1000m, 1500m, long-distance races, mass start, and team pursuit. Over the course of the season, skaters earn points at each World Cup stop, and Inzell is where overall World Cup titles are decided. Because it’s held indoors at sea-level altitude with stable ice conditions, races in Inzell are often tight and highly competitive.

From a streaming perspective, watching the Speed Skating World Cup Inzell in 2026 works differently depending on where you live. In the US, the event is not available for free, as Peacock holds the American streaming rights for ISU speed skating during the 2025–26 season. Viewers need a paid Peacock subscription to access live races and replays.

Outside the US, coverage is more accessible. The International Skating Union provides free live streams on its official YouTube channel for viewers in countries where no local broadcaster owns the rights. This makes YouTube the main free option for many international fans following the World Cup season, including the Inzell event.

This guide explains how to watch Speed Skating World Cup Inzell live, where it’s streamed in the US and internationally, who can watch for free on YouTube, and what to expect from the final World Cup weekend of the season.

Where to watch Speed Skating World Cup Inzell

Broadcast rights vary by country. Some viewers can watch races for free through public broadcasters, while others need a paid sports streaming service. In regions without a local rights holder, the International Skating Union provides free live streams on YouTube.

CountryStreaming service or broadcasterFree or paid
GermanyZDF and ZDF MediathekFree
NetherlandsNOS and NOS online platformsFree
NorwayViaplayPaid
United StatesPeacockPaid
CanadaCBC Sports and CBC GemFree
ItalyRai Sport and RaiPlayFree
FranceFrance TV platformsFree
SwedenViaplayPaid

How to watch Speed Skating World Cup Inzell for free

The ISU Speed Skating World Cup Inzell can be watched for free in several countries, as public broadcasters hold the rights to ISU speed skating events. These broadcasters offer live coverage and replays at no cost, but their streams are geo-restricted, meaning they only work inside the broadcaster’s country. If you’re traveling or live elsewhere, a virtual private network (VPN) lets you access the same free streams by changing your virtual location.

  1. Choose a VPN with reliable servers in Europe and North America – we recommend NordVPN
  2. Download and install the VPN app on your device, then sign in
  3. Connect to a server in a country with free coverage, such as Germany, the Netherlands, or Canada
  4. Open the broadcaster’s official streaming platform, such as ZDF Mediathek, NOS, or CBC Gem
  5. Select the live stream or replay of the Speed Skating World Cup Inzell and start watching

What happens each day at Speed Skating World Cup Inzell

The ISU Speed Skating World Cup Inzell runs over three days and plays a decisive role in determining the final World Cup standings. All races take place indoors at the Max Aicher Arena, which allows for stable ice conditions and predictable broadcast windows. Coverage typically begins shortly before the first race of each session.

Friday, January 23 – opening races and early signals

The opening day usually begins in the early afternoon, with live streams going online at around 1:30 PM CET. Friday’s program focuses on shorter sprint distances, most commonly the 500m and 1500m, which immediately show who arrives in peak form. These races are often decided by hundredths of a second, making the opening session fast and intense despite being the first day of competition.

Friday is also the first chance to watch top sprint skaters in action. Jordan Stolz has consistently set the pace in recent World Cup sprint events, while Femke Kok remains one of the most reliable performers in women’s sprint races.

Saturday, January 24 – long distances and decisive points

Saturday’s racing starts earlier, with streams usually going live at about 9:00 AM CET. This is typically the longest day of the weekend and often includes long-distance events, such as the women’s 3000m and men’s 5000m, alongside additional sprint races. These distances award a large share of World Cup points and can dramatically reshape the overall standings.

Unlike Friday’s explosive sprints, Saturday rewards pacing, endurance, and race management. Small timing errors or poor pacing strategies often decide podium places, especially in the longer distances.

Sunday, January 25 – mass start drama and final statements

The final day usually begins mid-morning, with coverage starting at roughly 10:30 AM CET. Sunday is known for its mass start races and team events, which introduce pack racing, tactical positioning, and sudden attacks. These formats are some of the most unpredictable and viewer-friendly races in speed skating.

Because Inzell is the final World Cup stop of the season, Sunday carries extra pressure. Skaters make their last push for overall rankings, which often leads to aggressive tactics and dramatic finishes that decide season-long titles.