The 2018 Tour de France will start on Saturday, July 7 in Düsseldorf, Germany. It will finish up on Sunday, July 29th in Champs-Élysées in Paris, France. This year, the 105th version will be made up of 21 stages and cover a distance of 3,540 km (2,200 mi). Five main mountain ranges will be included in the race.
The race has a long history and dates back to 1903. The cycling Journalist for France’s number 2 newspaper, L’Auto, suggested the race as a way to sell more papers and drive the first place paper out of business. The event was originally supposed to be held from the 31st of May to July 5th, and was to be 5 stages. It started and ended in Paris.
Since you are probably here to find out how to watch the race online, let’s talk about the options available.
Using NBC Sports Gold to stream the Tour de France
NBC Sports Gold is the way to watch your favorite sport without the need for a cable or satellite subscription. It does not go with a single event, but a group of events. You pay a flat amount for a “pass” in each category, and the passes last for a set period of time. Be sure to check the website for lengths. The categories are cycling, pro motocross, track and field, and rugby. Prices start at $39.99 for the cycling package, and can be $69.99 for the track and field pass.
The devices you can view the different packages on may vary. However, all can be watched on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Chromecast, Mac, and Windows. Check the website for additional devices that can be used with your pass. Roku can be used with some of them.
Use Sling TV to stream the Tour de France
Sling TV is a live TV streaming service that offers an easy way to watch the race. This affordable option gives you access to popular pay TV channels, without the need for cable, a satellite subscription, or a contract. If you are a cord cutter or thinking of becoming one, the service is only a fraction of the cost. Of course, prices and number of streams available vary based on the plan you choose. The race will be shown on NBCSN, so you’ll need the Blue package for $25 a month. You can try Sling TV free for 7 days to test the service.
The Sling TV service may be watched on your favorite television by using streaming devices like Roku, Xbox, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, and others. Additionally, it is compatible with Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac. There are other devices supported, so you may want to check their website for the latest list.
Using FuboTV to watch Tour de France
FuboTV is a popular streaming service that primarily targets sports fans. There are more than 60 channels that are offered for a monthly rate of $35 with no contract. That includes channels like NBCSN, Fox Sports, BeIN Sports, and others in HD quality. As with Sling TV, you are allowed to use the login information from your account to access the apps of the channels you have subscribed to. Sign up for their 7-day free trial to get started.
The service may be enjoyed on your Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Chromecast, iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac devices. Be aware that the service will only let you stream on two devices at a time. However, you do have the option to record via cloud DVR so you can re-watch the event or save it for later.
Use PlayStation Vue to watch Tour de France
The PlayStation Vue streaming service (often called PS Vue) is another option you have. It offers the user more than 45 channels for $30 a month without a contract. Those channels include ABC, Bravo, Fox, NBCSN, ESPN, and many more. PS Vue does not only focus on sports, but gives you other popular choices as well. You can also add premium channels like HBO, Fox Soccer Plus, Showtime, and more for additional fees. It is one of the only services to offer the big 4 US networks. PSVue is offering a 5-day free trial to new users.
It is compatible with PS3, PS4, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, iOS, Android, and others. With this one, you have the option of streaming up to 5 devices at one time, and you can also stream and play video games. Those factors make PS Vue a good option to stream the event.
Using DirecTV Now to Stream Tour de France
DirecTV Now is the standalone version of the satellite provider, DirecTV. Though some of the streaming services we mention here are focused more on sports, this one has the goal of being a total package. It provides the subscriber more than 60 channels in the starting package for $35 a month with no contract. Those include NBCSN, ESPN, Fox, TNT, and many others. It also includes more than 10,000 on demand channels. You can sign up for a 7-day free trial to see if DirecTV Now is right for you.
The service is usable on Chromecast, Android, iOS, Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV. If you are planning on streaming from your PC or Mac, you will need to use Google Chrome or Safari. You are allowed to use 2 devices at one time, and there is a rewind feature so you can replay up to the last 72 hours of TV. That can be a real advantage if you miss part of the race.