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2026 Monaco Grand Prix Schedule: Race Start Time, TV Channel, and Circuit de Monaco Guide

The 2026 Monaco Grand Prix schedule will take place on Sunday, June 7, 2026, at the iconic Circuit de Monaco in Monte Carlo. As the crown jewel of the Formula 1 calendar, the race will be broadcast live on ABC and ESPN+ for U.S. viewers, with the lights out scheduled for 9:00 AM ET. Qualifying, which is arguably the most important session of the year in Monaco, will take place on Saturday, June 6.

2026 Monaco Grand Prix Schedule

2026 Monaco Grand Prix Schedule
DateEventTime (ET)TV / Streaming
Thursday, June 4Practice 17:30 AMESPN2 / ESPN+
Friday, June 5Practice 211:00 AMESPN2 / ESPN+
Saturday, June 6Practice 36:30 AMESPN2 / ESPN+
Saturday, June 6Qualifying10:00 AMESPN / ESPN+
Sunday, June 7The 2026 Monaco Grand Prix9:00 AMABC / ESPN+

What Time Does the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix Take Place? 

The race traditionally starts at 3PM local time in Monaco. If you are in the United States, this puts the start at 9 a.m. Eastern Time and 6am Pacific time. So as usual for sports fans on the West Coast, you have to DVR/record the event in case you oversleep, but nothing unusual from my experience. I find it’s best to just wake up and watch the event then take a nap later if I stayed up late. 

What TV Channels is the Monaco Grand Prix 2026 on? 

For 2026, the Monaco Grand Prix TV coverage in the United States will be on ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, and ESPN+. Since the ABC and ESPN networks all became one under the same ownership group, you can see some adjustments on race day. ABC is the flagship channel for most championship events for U.S. broadcasts though. If you live in the U.K., Sky Sports F1 is the channel for the race. For Canadian fans, it will be on TSN. 

Why the 2026 Monaco GP is Must-Watch:

The “Triple Crown” Pursuit: With the Indy 500 typically held the same week, Monaco remains the first leg of the most prestigious double-header in motorsports.

The Debut of New Regulations: 2026 marks the first year of the new F1 technical regulations, making the tight streets of Monaco the ultimate test for the new, more agile car designs.

Home Hero Watch: Charles Leclerc will be looking for another historic win on his home turf.

Motorsports Resources & Future Schedules

FAQ: 2026 Monaco Grand Prix

Question: When is the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix? Answer: The 2026 Monaco Grand Prix is scheduled for Sunday, June 7, 2026. Practice sessions begin on Thursday, June 4, with the critical qualifying session taking place on Saturday, June 6.

Question: What time does the Monaco Grand Prix start for US viewers? Answer: The race is scheduled to start at 9:00 AM ET (6:00 AM PT). Because the race takes place in Europe, U.S. fans can enjoy a live morning broadcast on ABC.

Question: Why is qualifying so important at the Monaco Grand Prix? Answer: The Circuit de Monaco is famous for being extremely narrow with very few overtaking opportunities. Because it is so difficult to pass during the race, the starting position earned during Saturday’s qualifying often determines the final podium.

Question: Will the 2026 F1 engine regulations affect the Monaco race? Answer: Yes. 2026 marks the debut of new technical regulations featuring more agile cars and increased electrical power. These smaller, more nimble car designs are expected to slightly improve the racing quality on Monaco’s tight, winding streets.Question: How many laps is the Monaco Grand Prix?Answer: The race consists of 78 laps around the 3.337-kilometer (2.074-mile) Circuit de Monaco, for a total race distance of approximately 260 kilometers.

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Jacey Tine Author
Jacey Tine is a lifelong San Diego Padres and Florida Gators fan with 7+ years of sports coverage experience. At Sports Brackets, she delivers brackets, schedules, previews, and analysis across MLB, college football, NFL, WNBA, and more. Always with a fan-focused, reliable approach.

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