Quick Answer
The 2026 ADAC Ravenol 24h Race at the Nürburgring runs from Thursday, May 14 through Sunday, May 17, with the race itself starting Saturday, May 16 at 15:00 local German time (9:00 AM Eastern in the US).
You can watch it free in full HD on the official Nürburgring YouTube channel, on Red Bull TV, on the Red Bull Motorsports YouTube channel, on PlanetF1.com, or via Speedcafe for viewers in Australia and New Zealand. English commentary is included on the official stream.
Why the Nürburgring 24 Hours Matters
The Nordschleife (North Loop) was carved through the Eifel forests of Rhineland-Palatinate in the 1920s. For the 24 hour race, it combines with the modern Grand Prix circuit to form a monstrous 25.378 kilometer (15.7 mile) lap with more than 170 corners, almost 300 meters of elevation change, and very little run off.
One mistake usually ends in the barriers. That is why drivers and fans alike call it the "Green Hell."
Eifel weather makes it worse. The track is so long that it can be sunny and dry on the GP circuit while the far side of the Nordschleife is in fog or a downpour. Tire calls become guesswork at 180 mph in pitch darkness.
The 2026 Grid Is the Biggest in Over a Decade
This is the 54th running of the endurance classic and the second round of the Intercontinental GT Challenge, which has pulled in factory teams and world class talent.
A staggering 161 cars are entered, the largest field since 2014. The premier SP 9 (FIA GT3) class alone has 41 entries, with German engineering dominating: the Porsche 911 GT3 R, BMW M4 GT3 Evo, Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo, and Audi R8 LMS Evo II are all battling for outright honors.
Max Verstappen Headlines the Entry List
The biggest story of 2026 is the debut of four time Formula One World Champion Max Verstappen. He is driving a Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo for Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing, lining up against DTM champions and previous overall winners.
It is the rare modern motorsport moment where a current F1 superstar voluntarily enters one of the most punishing races on earth. The Saturday afternoon opening stint is going to be must watch television.
The Festival Around the Track
Over 250,000 fans make the pilgrimage to the Eifel mountains every year. They set up camp days in advance, often pressed right up against the catch fencing. As night falls you can smell campfires and barbecues drifting across the circuit, with neon, sound systems, and roaring crowds creating a tunnel of light and noise around drivers in pitch black sections of the Nordschleife.
It is part hardcore motorsport, part outdoor music festival, and nothing else in racing feels like it.
Where to Watch the 2026 Nürburgring 24 Hours
The good news for global fans: most of the broadcast is free and legal.
- Official Nürburgring YouTube channel. The most reliable option. Full race in HD with English commentary, live timing graphics, and pit interviews.
- Red Bull TV. Free stream via the website and the Red Bull TV app on smart TVs and phones.
- Red Bull Motorsports YouTube channel. Often features dedicated onboard feeds from top runners.
- PlanetF1.com. A dedicated stream across the weekend with qualifying coverage, race feed, and written analysis.
- Speedcafe. Streaming the race in Australia and New Zealand.
The Full 2026 Schedule (Local CEST)
Times below are local German time. Save the page and convert once.
- Thursday, May 14: Qualifying 1 from 13:15 to 15:15. Qualifying 2 from 20:00 to 23:30 (essential night driving practice).
- Friday, May 15: Top Qualifying 1 and 2 from 10:15 to 11:35. Qualifying 3 from 12:00 to 13:05. Top Qualifying 3 from 13:35 to 14:35 (decides pole).
- Saturday, May 16: Warm up 10:00 to 11:00. Starting grid walk 12:45 to 14:10. Formation lap 14:40. Race start 15:00.
- Sunday, May 17: Race ends 15:00.
Time Zones for International Viewers
Germany is on Central European Summer Time (UTC+2). That makes the race start at:
- 9:00 AM Eastern Time (US)
- 6:00 AM Pacific Time (US)
- 2:00 PM UK time (BST)
- 11:00 PM AEST in eastern Australia, ending the next night
What to Watch For
A few storylines to keep an eye on as the laps tick by:
- Verstappen's first night stint. F1 reflexes meet a 25 km circuit with no margin for error.
- The Porsche customer army versus the BMW factory effort in SP 9.
- Weather radar. Rain on one side of the loop usually decides the race.
- Tire strategy through the early Sunday morning hours, when cold temperatures and damp patches catch out tired drivers.
The takeaway
The 2026 Nürburgring 24 Hours is shaping up to be a generational edition: the biggest grid in over a decade, a current F1 World Champion in a GT3 car, and a fully free global broadcast. Pick your stream, set an early alarm for Saturday, and prepare for 24 hours of beautifully unhinged motorsport.
