Source: Pixabay
Do you enjoy the sound of racing cars at high speeds? Are you a fan of listening to tires screeching and watching the best motorsports riders competing for the world championship trophies?
Racing is a sports category that guarantees a lot of excitement. And the good news is you can get your adrenaline rush even without cable. Our detailed guide will tell you everything about the major racing events and how to live stream them on different devices.
In a hurry? Check out these three streaming services that offer excellent racing coverage without cable:
fuboTV. Known as the best sports-friendly live TV streaming platform, you can’t go wrong with fuboTV to stay tuned with all the latest racing events.
DirecTV Stream. Enjoy the major races broadcast live and comprehensive racing coverage on different channels offered by DirecTV Stream.
Hulu + Live TV. The Disney-owned platform made its way to live streaming and secured a great offer for all racing fans.
Outside the US? Try a VPN. Here are our top VPN picks.
Our pick for watching racing without cable: fuboTV
fuboTV is a sports-friendly live TV streaming service. Its channel lineup is impressive and heavily focused on sports. Racing fans will appreciate that major national TV networks are available on fuboTV. You can enjoy the Formula 1 championship races aired on ABC, but also NASCAR events on FOX and NBC.
ESPN’s channels are in every fuboTV package available, including the cheapest option. You can also access specialized channels like MotorTrend TV, which have exclusive rights to broadcasting the 24 Hours of Le Mans and some other races.
It’s worth noting that the fuboTV channel lineup is suitable for all ages and interests. Children will appreciate Universal Kids, Nickelodeon, Disney Channel, and other networks. Specialized channels like fubo Movie Network, Hallmark Drama, and AMC will ensure loads of attractive TV shows and movie content. And those who want to keep track of the latest events can watch ABC News Live, NBC News, and other similar stations.
Why fuboTV?
fuboTV is no less than a dream come true for a true racing and sports fan. You can watch live races in F1, MotoGP, NASCAR, and other championships. Some networks, such as FOX and Fox Sports 1, are available in 4K. It ensures that your viewing experience remains a memorable event and maximizes the pleasure of watching the races. And channels from BeIN Sports to NBA TV are there for fans of other sports.
It’s nice to see the developers did an amazing job with native fuboTV apps and its web-browser platform. The layout is user-friendly, and you’ll find the navigation around the menus simple. Each channel you pick loads quickly, and the streams are smooth and without any interruptions.
Top fuboTV features
Excellent stream quality. fuboTV keeps working on improving the streaming quality for each channel. At this moment, some national TV networks, such as NBC and FOX, are available in 720p, while others stream in 1080p. It’s more than enough to secure maximum thrill while watching racing events.
Fantastic device support. fuboTV has native iOS and Android apps, and you can access the platform via desktop PC and laptop web browsers. The service works flawlessly on streaming media players like Roku, Chromecast, Amazon Firestick, and Apple TV, as well as various smart TVs.
Generous DVR. The platform has an interesting approach of providing ten recording slots. These count per event, meaning you can record an entire race, and it will only take a single slot. You also get 30+ hours of cloud DVR storage, depending on your package.
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Read our in-depth review of fuboTV.
When is the live racing season?
The actual schedule depends on the racing event, but the general rule is that the live season starts somewhere in February or March and ends in October or November. Here’s a brief overview of the main racing championships’ schedule!
FIA – Formula 1 Championship
The famous F1 will begin on March 5 in Bahrain. It’s interesting the season will also end in Asia, with the final race in Abu Dhabi on November 26. Qatar is back on the calendar, and Las Vegas is another venue the drivers will visit, increasing the total race number to 24. ABC and ESPN are the official broadcasters for the United States.
MotoGP Championship
A total of 42 races and 21 rounds are scheduled for the MotoGP 2023 season. It all begins in Portugal on March 24, and the last race is in Valencia on November 26. NBC and CNBS are the channels where you can watch these events, although this circuit also has a dedicated app.
WRC – World Rally Championship
Rallye Monte Carlo opens the 2023 WRC season on January 19. Drivers will participate in a total of 13 races, with a single event monthly. They’ll visit Sweden, Mexico, Croatia, Portugal, Italy, Kenya, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Chile, and Japan. You can watch live races on ESPN or via the specialized app.
NASCAR season
According to the official website, the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series starts in February at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. After many qualifying races, the round of 16 will occur in September. The final Championship race is at the Phoenix Raceway on November 5. NBC will be the one broadcasting the final race, while FOX will broadcast most of the races in the first part of the season.
How to watch the postseason without cable
The critical thing to note is that not all racing events have a postseason. For example, NASCAR has playoffs that occur in the autumn. But F1 and MotoGP have a scheduled calendar with races where drivers collect points. The one to collect the most points throughout the season wins, and there are no playoffs.
The general rule is the same channels airing the regular season of the desired racing championships will also broadcast playoffs. And remember, you can always check the Flixed TV guide for the most detailed information about what’s live on specific channels.
How to watch racing during the offseason
A winter break is common for many racing championships, but you’ll find motorsports events to enjoy during the offseason. For example, the 24 Hours of Daytona Race is held in January and is usually a great spectacle. And it’s worth noting that the World Rally Championship actually begins in January, so make sure not to miss the thrill.
Another option is to watch the highlights of the previous season or the best races from racing history. While some live TV channels might air races from the archive, it’s best to use a specialized app for that event. That means F1, MotoGP, or WRC apps will ensure you can enjoy high-paced action and get your racing kick even during the offseason!
Other options for watching racing without cable
Most major racing events are on national TV networks. F1 is on ESPN and ABC, NASCAR is on FOX and NBC, WRC is on ESPN, and so on. But you’ll find other races on channels like MotorTrend TV. It all depends on your preferences, but here are some great options to consider!
DirecTV Stream – a great all-around streaming platform
DirecTV Stream has four different subscription packages. The good news is the cheapest one covers channels that broadcast major racing events, and you also get MotorTrend TV. You can check the entire DirecTV channel lineup, and you’ll see that the platform has an all-around offer for all viewer types. It’s a great option if you enjoy racing but also have other family members with other watching preferences.
Hulu + Live TV – top-quality sports and VOD services
Your first association might be a video-on-demand service, but the truth is that Hulu + Live TV does equally well in offering live streaming. Racing fans can watch MotoGP live races and NASCAR Cup events, including the final game, on NBC. And don’t forget that Disney+ is behind this platform, and since it also owns ESPN, you can watch all races broadcast on these channels.
Sling – racing events depend on the package
Sling is an affordable cable-free live TV provider, but you need to choose the package carefully. The default channels have limited content for racing fans, but the Orange package unlocks MotorTrend and ESPN channels. That means F1, WRC, and 24 Hours of Le Mans will all be available. In the Blue package, you have FOX and FS1, so if you enjoy NASCAR, consider subscribing to a combined subscription. Find more info about Sling channels and decide on the best fit in our guide.
Specialized official racing apps and channels
Many racing organizations secure special apps and channels for their hardcore fans. The downside is you only get to watch the events covered, but the actual coverage is incredibly detailed. Here’s an overview of the app:
WRC+. It’s the official channel of the World Rally Championship and the European Rally Championship. You can get a monthly pass, as well as yearly subscriptions for the entire season.
NASCAR. The app is an interesting way to spice up the overall viewing experience, with live streams available from in-car cameras.
MotoGP. You can choose the VideoPass if you want to watch all races live or on-demand, and the provider will spice things up with exclusive behind-the-scenes content.
F1TV. It’s a specialized channel to follow F1 races to the smallest detail. Apart from live races, you can enjoy excellent documentaries, shows, and a comprehensive archive of classic events.
What channels air live racing events?
Jn the United States, many national TV networks broadcast live racing events. As we mentioned, you can find F1 and WRC races on ESPN channels, while NBC has the rights to broadcast MotoGP races.
We have some specialized pages that will help you discover which services have channels that broadcast your favorite racing events. For example, the NASCAR Cup Series page discusses how to watch these events without cable. There’s a similar page available for watching Formula 1 racing without cable.
Best devices for watching racing without cable
You can watch live racing on different devices. If you don’t mind using an indoor antenna, it could be a simple way of accessing local channels and watching F1, MotoGP, and other racing events. But what about the devices that allow watching racing without cable?
Many streaming services have dedicated apps available to streaming media players. Roku is an incredibly popular option since it offers compact devices that are easy to install on any TV. You also have a myriad of channels available. And if you are outside of the United States, check out our best VPN for Roku guide. You can even use these in the US to make your connection safer.
How to bet on racing
Sports betting is popular worldwide, and it’s attracting more racing viewers in the United States. Wagering your favorite riders or teams is an excellent way to spice up the entire watching experience. You can bet on the race winner, a specific driver’s placement, the fastest lap, etc.
Major sportsbooks like DraftKings and FanDuel cover major racing events with many wagering options. You can visit these platforms to bet on F1, MotoGP, NASCAR, and other races. But don’t forget to ask, “where is sports betting legal?” The regulations depend on the state, so make sure you aren’t breaking any laws when placing wagers first.
How to watch racing outside of the United States
If you are in another country, you can check for local channels airing your favorite racing event. Some sportsbooks or even coffeehouses might show F1, and other major events live. But what if you prefer watching the races on US channels and listening to English or Spanish commentary?
The solution lies in using a VPN. These services allow bypassing geographic restrictions and connecting to the desired US streaming service. Don’t forget to check out our best VPN suggestions and find a provider that fits your preference.
Our takeaway – cable-free live TV is great for racing fans
If you ever worried whether you’d be able to watch racing events without cable, we hope there’s no dilemma now. Thanks to fuboTV, you won’t miss any major racing events. And that includes F1, MotoGP, NASCAR, WRC, etc.
The extensive offer for racing fans is also available on DirecTV Stream, which is famous as a family-friendly platform. You can go with Hulu + Live TV if you enjoy original movies and TV shows, but also try Sling to get a live TV service at a lower price. And there are always specialized racing apps if you are a passionate fan of a particular championship. Just pick your package and start enjoying the action!
Aneeca Younas
Aneeca Younas is a graduated journalist with years of experience writing in different niches based in Oakland, CA. She is a huge movie fan that also enjoys watching sports. That's why she spends hours daily using various streaming services. Over the years, Aneeca profiled herself as an expert in cable-free and VOD platforms.