Quick Read
- The 64th Rolex 24 at Daytona began Saturday, January 24, 2026, at Daytona International Speedway.
- Over 200 elite drivers and 60 cars are competing in four classes: GTP, LMP2, GTD Pro, and GTD.
- The 24-hour endurance race concludes Sunday, January 25, at 1:40 p.m. ET.
- Live coverage is available on NBC for key segments and continuously on Peacock.
- Favorable weather conditions with sunny skies and temperatures in the 70s-80s are expected, with no rain.
DAYTONA BEACH (Azat TV) – The 64th annual Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway officially commenced Saturday, January 24, 2026, bringing together over 200 elite drivers and 60 high-performance cars for one of endurance racing’s most grueling and prestigious events. The 24-hour race, which will crown winners in four distinct classes, is being broadcast live across NBC and Peacock, offering fans extensive coverage of the demanding competition.
Race Overview and Schedule
The Rolex 24 at Daytona, a cornerstone event of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, challenges both man and machine over a full day and night of continuous racing. Sixty cars are set to compete on the iconic Daytona International Speedway road course, battling for supremacy in the GT Prototype (GTP), LMP2, GTD Pro, and GTD classes. The green flag dropped at 1:40 p.m. ET on Saturday, with the checkered flag anticipated exactly 24 hours later, at 1:40 p.m. ET on Sunday, January 25, according to News-Journal Online.
This year’s event benefits from near-ideal weather conditions, a welcome development for teams and spectators alike. Forecasts from the National Weather Service predict partly sunny skies with temperatures hovering around 70-75 degrees Fahrenheit on Saturday, dropping to a low of 61 overnight. Sunday is expected to bring sunny skies and a high near 83 degrees, with wind gusts up to 20 mph, and no rain is anticipated until after the race concludes, ensuring a dry track for the duration of the endurance challenge.
Comprehensive Coverage: Broadcast and Streaming
Fans eager to follow every moment of the 24-hour spectacle have multiple options for live viewing. NBC will provide crucial broadcast windows for the start and finish of the race. Coverage on NBC began Saturday, January 24, from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET, and will resume Sunday, January 25, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. ET, as reported by Yahoo Sports.
For continuous, flag-to-flag coverage of the entire 24-hour race, Peacock is the primary streaming destination. Peacock’s live stream commenced at 1:30 p.m. ET on Saturday and will run uninterrupted through the race’s conclusion on Sunday at 2 p.m. ET. A standard ad-supported Peacock subscription, priced at $11 per month, grants access to all 24 hours of the Rolex 24, along with preliminary races like Friday’s BMW M Endurance Michelin Pilot Challenge. An ad-free option is available for $17 monthly, which also includes live access to local NBC affiliates. Additionally, platforms like DirecTV and Hulu’s live TV tier offer access to the NBC broadcast windows.
Key Competitors and the Challenge Ahead
The field for the 64th Rolex 24 is packed with talent, featuring over 200 of the world’s best drivers, including reigning Indianapolis 500 winner and four-time INDYCAR champion Alex Palou, NASCAR Cup Series drivers A.J. Allmendinger and Connor Zilisch, and two-time Rolex 24 winner Felipe Nasr. Other notable names include Marcus Ericsson, Kyle Kirkwood, Scott Dixon, and Tom Blomqvist, all vying for victory across the various classes. The diverse lineup underscores the race’s global appeal and its status as a magnet for top-tier motorsport talent.
The race’s format, with separate winners for each class, adds layers of strategic complexity. The overall winner is typically expected to emerge from the marquee GT Prototype (GTP) class, which features the most advanced and fastest machinery. However, intense competition is guaranteed across LMP2, GTD Pro, and GTD classes, each with its own set of challenges and specialized vehicles. Teams will need to master not only raw speed but also flawless pit stops, driver changes, and strategic fuel and tire management to endure the full 24 hours.
The Unique Demands of Endurance Racing
The Rolex 24 is renowned for testing the limits of human and mechanical endurance. Drivers cycle through stints, battling fatigue, changing track conditions, and the relentless pressure of competition. The cars themselves are pushed to their breaking point, requiring meticulous preparation and quick repairs from pit crews. The strategic decisions made by team principals regarding driver rotations, fuel consumption, and tire wear often prove as critical as the pace on the track. The event’s extended duration means that luck, skill, and unwavering teamwork are all essential components for any team hoping to stand on the top step of the podium.
The confluence of favorable weather, a stacked driver lineup, and comprehensive broadcast options elevates the 64th Rolex 24 at Daytona beyond a mere race, transforming it into a compelling spectacle that highlights the pinnacle of endurance motorsport and its growing accessibility to a global audience.