The 81st edition of La Vuelta a España, the final Grand Tour, is underway from August 22 to September 13, 2026.
Starting in Monaco, the route passes through France and Andorra before finishing in Granada, Spain, in front of the Alhambra, for the first time in the race’s history.
You can watch Vuelta a España in Ireland on SBS On Demand, RTVE, TNT Sports, and PeacockTV.
However, some of these services are unavailable in Ireland due to geo-restrictions. I recommend using a VPN to bypass the restrictions. Surfshark is our #1 choice.
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When & Where is Vuelta a España 2026 Happening?
CYCLING · 81ST EDITION
Vuelta a España 2026
Aug 22 – Sep 13
Red Jersey
How to Watch Vuelta a España in Ireland for Free
SBS on Demand has the official rights to broadcast the Vuelta a España 2026 in Australia. To stream the race, you only need to create a free account.
Since the service is geo-blocked in Ireland, use a premium VPN to access it. Follow the steps below to watch Vuelta a España in Ireland:
Step 1: Subscribe to a safe VPN service. (Surfshark is our #1 choice)
Step 2: Download and install the Surfshark VPN App on your device.
Step 3: Open the app and connect to an Australian server.
Step 4: Go to the SBS on Demand website and click Create an account.
Step 5: Enter your credentials.
Step 6: Verify your account and sign in.
Step 7: Choose Sports.
Step 8: Search for Vuelta a España and enjoy the event live!
How to Watch the Vuelta a España in Ireland Live
TNT Sports is the exclusive broadcaster of the Vuelta a España in Ireland. You can catch all the live action by subscribing to the NOW TV Sports Extra plan for €33.99/mo (currently discounted to €17/mo).
The NOW TV mobile app is available for Android and iOS devices in Ireland. Here’s how you can watch the Vuelta a España in Ireland live on mobile phones:
Step 1: Download the NOW TV app from the Play Store or APK
Step 2: Open the app and click on the sidebar
Step 3: Choose Sports Membership
Step 4: Select your plan and click Claim offer
Step 5: Click Checkout
Step 6: Create your account by clicking Continue to checkout or sign in with your existing one
Step 7: Enter your credentials
Step 8: Choose your payment plan and enter your credentials to subscribe. Enjoy streaming!
Watch Vuelta a España in Ireland for Free on RTVE
RTVE is a free-to-air channel in Spain. The channel is the primary broadcaster of Vuelta a España 2026. You can watch each stage of the event on RTVE.
RTVE has its streaming service, RTVE Play, where you can stream the cycling race. However, RTVE Play is only available in Spain.
The only way to watch Vuelta a España 2026 on RTVE in Ireland is by using Surfshark connected to a Spanish server, which can bypass the restrictions.
Read More: Watch RTVE in Ireland
Schedule of Vuelta a España 2026
The tour runs across 21 stages from August 22 to September 13, 2026, opening with a Monaco time trial and closing with a circuit race in Granada:
| DATE | STAGE | ROUTE | TIME (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, 22 Aug 2026 | Stage 1 | Monaco > Monaco (ITT) | 03:00 PM |
| Sun, 23 Aug 2026 | Stage 2 | Monaco > Manosque | 01:30 PM |
| Mon, 24 Aug 2026 | Stage 3 | Gruissan > Font Romeu | 01:30 PM |
| Tue, 25 Aug 2026 | Stage 4 | Andorra la Vella > Andorra la Vella | 01:30 PM |
| Wed, 26 Aug 2026 | Stage 5 | Falset > Roquetes | 01:30 PM |
| Thu, 27 Aug 2026 | Stage 6 | Alcossebre > Castelló | 01:30 PM |
| Fri, 28 Aug 2026 | Stage 7 | Vall d'Alba > Aramón Valdelinares | 12:00 PM |
| Sat, 29 Aug 2026 | Stage 8 | Puçol > Xeraco | 01:30 PM |
| Sun, 30 Aug 2026 | Stage 9 | Villajoyosa > Alto de Aitana | 11:00 AM |
| Mon, 31 Aug 2026 | — | Rest Day | — |
| Tue, 1 Sep 2026 | Stage 10 | Alcaraz > Elche de la Sierra | 01:30 PM |
| Wed, 2 Sep 2026 | Stage 11 | Cartagena > Lorca | 01:30 PM |
| Thu, 3 Sep 2026 | Stage 12 | Vera > Calar Alto | 11:30 AM |
| Fri, 4 Sep 2026 | Stage 13 | Almuñécar > Loja | 01:30 PM |
| Sat, 5 Sep 2026 | Stage 14 | Jaén > Sierra de La Pandera | 01:30 PM |
| Sun, 6 Sep 2026 | Stage 15 | Palma del Río > Córdoba | 01:30 PM |
| Mon, 7 Sep 2026 | — | Rest Day | — |
| Tue, 8 Sep 2026 | Stage 16 | Cortegana > Palos de la Frontera | 01:30 PM |
| Wed, 9 Sep 2026 | Stage 17 | Dos Hermanas > Sevilla | 01:30 PM |
| Thu, 10 Sep 2026 | Stage 18 | El Puerto de Santa María > Jerez de la Frontera (ITT) | 01:30 PM |
| Fri, 11 Sep 2026 | Stage 19 | Vélez-Málaga > Peñas Blancas | 12:00 PM |
| Sat, 12 Sep 2026 | Stage 20 | La Calahorra > Collado del Alguacil | 11:00 AM |
| Sun, 13 Sep 2026 | Stage 21 | Granada > Granada | 03:00 PM |
List of Teams Participating in Vuelta a España 2026
The 2026 Vuelta a España features 23 professional cycling teams, comprising the top UCI WorldTour teams alongside select wildcard entries. Israel–Premier Tech has been rebranded for this season as NSN Cycling.
Here are some of the elite teams battling for the red jersey:
- Visma | Lease a Bike
- UAE Team Emirates-XRG
- INEOS Grenadiers
- Soudal Quick-Step
- Lidl-Trek
- Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe
- Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale
- Movistar Team
- Bahrain – Victorious
- Alpecin-Deceuninck
- Groupama – FDJ
- EF Education-EasyPost
- Team dsm-firmenich PostNL
- Team Jayco AlUla
- Astana Qazaqstan Team
- Cofidis
- Intermarché – Wanty
- Arkéa – B&B Hotels
- NSN Cycling (formerly Israel–Premier Tech)
Other Live Sports to Watch in Ireland
Here is a list of other live sports you can stream in Ireland with the help of a VPN:
- Watch the Tour de France in Ireland
- Watch Wimbledon in Ireland
- Watch the UEFA Champions League in Ireland
- Watch Formula 1 in Ireland
- Watch the NFL in Ireland
FAQs – Vuelta a España 2026
1. When does the Vuelta a España 2026 start and finish?
The 2026 edition of La Vuelta a España began on August 22 in Monaco and runs through September 13, finishing for the first time in Granada.
2. How many stages are in the Vuelta a España?
The Grand Tour consists of 21 stages, blending high mountain climbs, flat sprint stages, and a pair of individual time trials.
3. Where can I watch the Vuelta a España in Ireland?
You can watch the race on premium services like TNT Sports. Alternatively, you can watch for free on SBS On Demand or RTVE by using a reliable VPN.
4. Do I need a VPN to watch SBS On Demand in Ireland?
Yes, SBS On Demand is geo-restricted to Australia. You need a VPN like Surfshark connected to an Australian server to access the free streams.
5. Who is the defending champion going into 2026?
Jonas Vingegaard (Visma | Lease a Bike) is the defending champion, having won his first Vuelta title in 2025. He heads into 2026 among the favourites for the red jersey alongside riders like Primož Roglič and Remco Evenepoel.
Conclusion
The Vuelta a España 2026 is underway. Kicked off in Monaco on August 22, 2026, the tour has 21 stages of intense racing. It will conclude for the first time in Granada on September 13, 2026.
You can watch the Vuelta a España in Ireland for free on SBS On Demand and RTVE, or via premium subscriptions on TNT Sports and Peacock TV.
However, since international free-to-air options and Peacock TV are geo-blocked, a VPN is highly recommended for cycling fans in Ireland. Surfshark is our #1 choice.
