Channel 5 secures Grand Tours highlights

17 Jun 2026 | Anna-Rose Gabbitass

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Channel 5 has secured free-to-air UK highlights rights to cycling’s Grand Tours through a multi-year agreement with TNT Sports.

The deal provides Channel 5 with daily highlights coverage of the Tour de France and Vuelta a España from 2026 to 2028, with Giro d’Italia highlights to follow from 2027 to 2029. The agreement expands access to major cycling events on free-to-air television in the UK.

Coverage begins with the 2026 Tour de France, which runs from 4 to 26 July, alongside highlights of the Vuelta a España. Live coverage of all stages will continue to be available through TNT Sports and its streaming platform, maintaining a dual model of subscription and free-to-air access.

The partnership also includes live broadcast rights for the UK Grand Départ of the 2027 Tour de France and the 2027 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift. The return of the Tour de France to the UK in 2027 will include stages across Scotland, England and Wales.

The agreement follows an extension of TNT Sports’ rights to the Tour de France through to 2030, covering exclusive live broadcast across UK markets. Channel 5’s involvement provides additional reach through highlights programming.

The move comes amid continued growth in cycling audiences in the UK, supported by increased visibility of major events and domestic participation. Broadcasters are increasingly combining live rights with free-to-air highlights to extend audience reach and engagement.

Channel 5 has expanded its sports portfolio in recent years, including coverage of international competitions and UK events. The addition of cycling strengthens its position in free-to-air sports broadcasting.

The partnership establishes a combined approach to distribution, with TNT Sports retaining live coverage and Channel 5 providing accessible highlights for UK viewers across cycling’s main stage races.

LA PLAGNE, FRANCE – JULY 25: (L-R) Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia – Yellow Leader Jersey, Adam Yates of Great Britain, Jhonatan Narvaez of Ecuador and UAE Team Emirates – XRG and Jonas Vingegaard of Denmark and Team Visma | Lease a Bike – Polka Dot Mountain Jersey compete passing the Cormet de Roselend (1969m) during the 112th Tour de France 2025, Stage 19 a 93.1km stage from Albertville to La Plagne 2062m / #UCIWT / Stage route modified over infected cattle / on July 25, 2025 in La Plagne, France. (Photo by Dario Belingheri/Getty Images)

Reemah Sakaan, President, 5 said, “The Grand Tours are the most prestigious cycling events in the world, watched and adored by millions, and we are delighted that 5 will be their new free-to-air home in the UK. Our daily highlights show for the Tour de France will be available to everyone at 7pm each evening this July and we’ll also have daily highlights through both the Vuelta a Espana and the Giro d’Italia for the next three years, plus next year we’ll have live coverage of the Tour de France’s historic return to the UK.”

Scott Young, EVP, Warner Bros. Discovery Sports Europe said, “By combining a strong free-to-air highlights offering with our comprehensive live coverage, we are delivering unprecedented access to the sport across every platform. Cycling is one of the most compelling sports in the world, featuring extraordinary athletes and unforgettable moments, and it’s important that those stories are shared with the widest possible audience.

“Expanding reach and engaging new audiences across our rights portfolio remains a key strategic priority, and partnerships such as this play an important role in achieving that ambition.”