New York City Marathon Livestream: How to Watch the 2026 Race Online for Free

By Oscar Hartzog

Oscar Hartzog

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The New York City Marathon is back on Sunday, Nov. 1, celebrating its 50th anniversary. Over 60,000 runners are expected to make the journey through all five NYC boroughs, including professionals, amateurs, and even celebrities like Jennifer Connelly, Patina Miller, Dylan Efron, and Tiki Barber, among others.

At a Glance: How to Watch the 2026 NYC Marathon

• TV channels: WABC-TV Channel 7, ESPN2, ABC (finish line show)
• Stream for free: DirecTV, Fubo, YouTube TV
• Date, start time: Sunday, Nov. 1 at 8 a.m. ET

If you can’t line the streets with the other two-million-plus spectators to watch the NYC Marathon in person, don’t fret: The entire race will be broadcast nationally, letting friends, family members, and fans tune in to see loved ones and pro runners. Read on for a quick guide on how to watch the NYC Marathon, including ways to get a free Marathon livestream online.

2026 New York City Marathon Date, Time, TV Channel

The 2206 NYC Marathon will take place on Sunday, Nov. 1. Staggered start times begin at 8 a.m. ET. The race will be broadcast locally in the New York City area on WABC-TV Channel 7 and nationally on ESPN. A finish line show will also be held on ABC later in the day.

Where to Stream the NYC Marathon Online for Free

Viewers without cable can stream the NYC Marathon online using any live TV streaming service that carries WABC-TV Channel 7 or ESPN2 (depending on your location). Even better? A few live TV streaming services that carry these channels also offer free trials, which you can use to get a free NYC Marathon livestream. Here’s how:

DirecTV

DirecTV carries local ABC in New York City and ESPN2 for viewers elsewhere in the U.S. The channels are both available in all of DirecTV’s Streaming Packages, and in the MySports Genre Pack. All of the service’s plans start with a five-day free trial. You’ll also get an introductory discount (if you keep the service after the free trial) before full-price payment kicks in starting at $64.99 a month.

Fubo

Another live TV streamer with a free trial and both channels showing the NYC Marathon is Fubo. This one begins with a five-day free trial and offers a first-month discount. After the trial and introductory month, pricing starts at $88.99 a month.

YouTube TV

YouTube TV also carries WABC-TV Channel 7 and ESPN2 for NYC Marathon livestreams wherever you’re located. The service starts with a free trial ranging from five to 21 days and offers a discount on two to five months, depending on which package you choose. After that, plans start at $71.99 a month.