2026 United States Grand Prix: Dates, Start Times and How to Watch Live in India

The 2026 United States Grand Prix – the season‑closing round of the Formula 1 calendar – is set to take place at the iconic Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas from 20 October (Friday) to 22 October (Sunday). Sky Sports, the official UK broadcaster, has released its full live schedule for practice, qualifying and the race, while Radio Times has confirmed the exact start times for the weekend’s sessions.

Weekend timetable (UK time)

• Friday, 20 October – Free Practice 1 at 12:30 pm, Free Practice 2 at 3:30 pm.
• Saturday, 21 October – Free Practice 3 at 11:00 am, Qualifying at 2:00 pm.
• Sunday, 22 October – Race start at 2:00 pm.

All times are given in Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) as per Sky Sports’ schedule. For Indian viewers, this translates to 5:30 pm for FP1, 8:30 pm for FP2, 4:30 pm for FP3, 7:30 pm for qualifying and 7:30 pm for the race, all on Indian Standard Time (IST, UTC+5:30).

Indian fans can watch the United States Grand Prix live on the FanCode streaming platform, which has secured the rights to broadcast the entire F1 season in India. FanCode will mirror the Sky Sports feed, meaning the same commentary and on‑screen graphics will be available. Subscriptions can be purchased on a monthly or season‑long basis, and the service also offers a free trial for first‑time users.

Beyond the schedule, the US Grand Prix is expected to be a decisive showdown for the championship, with several title‑contenders still mathematically in the hunt after the penultimate race in Brazil. Austin’s 5.513‑km circuit, with its mix of high‑speed straights and technical corners, often produces dramatic tyre strategies and overtaking opportunities, making it a fitting finale for the 2026 season.

For Indian audiences, the race will also be available on the official Formula 1 app with a live timing feed, allowing fans to follow sector‑by‑sector data, pit‑stop analysis and team radio in real time. Social media platforms such as Twitter and Instagram will host live‑updates from the F1 India account, ensuring that even viewers without a FanCode subscription can stay informed.

Source: Sky Sports; Radio Times