How to watch the State of the Union: Live stream the 2026 address free from anywhere
When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more
Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post via Getty Images
All eyes are on the Capitol ahead of the annual State of the Union address. Below, you can find everything you need to know about how to watch the State of the Union in 2026, including free live streaming options.
President Donald Trump is scheduled to deliver the 2026 State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress beginning at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday evening. The presidential address typically lasts at least an hour, especially in recent years, and is expected to cover a variety of policy subjects. The address typically serves as a reflection on the past year and looks ahead to the agenda for the year to come. After the speech, Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger will deliver the Democratic response. TV guides have the event blocked out until 11 p.m. ET.
The State of the Union will be held in the House of Representatives Chamber at the US Capitol building, and the event will be available to watch live across most major news networks and several streaming services. We've outlined some of the best ways to stream the event below, featuring international options.
How to watch the State of the Union in the US
The good news is that pretty much every major news network will carry full coverage of the event, including ABC, CBS, CNN, FOX, Fox News, MS NOW (formerly MSNBC), and NBC, among others.
You can watch these networks through one of the best live TV streaming services we've tested, such as DirecTV, Fubo, or Sling TV. DirecTV carries all of these channels in its MyNews genre pack, which costs $40 a month. Subscriptions come with a five-day free trial for new users.
Fubo and Sling TV are also solid options, though each is missing a few key channels. Fubo is a good option for ABC, CBS, FOX, and Fox News, but it's missing CNN, NBC, and MS Now. Subscriptions start at $56 a month for the Fubo Sports + News pack. New customers can get a five-day free trial and save on their first month of service.
Sling TV's Blue plan carries CNN, Fox News, and MS NOW, along with ABC, FOX, and NBC in select regions. Local channel coverage varies by region, so you should check what's available in your ZIP code before signing up. CBS is missing from all Sling plans. Sling Blue costs $50 a month with local channels.
You can live stream CBS directly through Paramount Plus Premium, which costs $14 a month. FOX and Fox News are available to live stream directly through FOX One, which costs $20 a month. At $17 a month, Peacock Premium Plus offers a live stream of NBC.
Several of the networks' free counterparts — like ABC News Live, CBS News 24/7, LiveNOW from FOX, and NBC News NOW — will also carry coverage of the event. You can live stream most of these options directly on their respective websites, without creating an account.
How to watch the State of the Union in the UK
In the UK, coverage will be available for free on the BBC website and TV channel. Special coverage will be available beginning at 8 p.m. ET or 1 a.m. GMT.
How to watch the State of the Union from anywhere
If you'll be traveling away from home, you can still keep up with your usual viewing options with the help of a VPN, or virtual private network. VPNs are handy cybersecurity tools that let users temporarily change the virtual location on their electronic devices, so they can access their go-to websites and apps from anywhere. They're also instant ways to upgrade online security and privacy.
NordVPN is one of the best options on the market. It's user-friendly, offers a massive selection of international servers, and has a 30-day money-back guarantee if you find that it's not what you're looking for. You can learn more in our NordVPN review.
Note: VPN use is illegal in certain countries, and using VPNs to access region-locked streaming content may constitute a breach of the terms of use for some services. Business Insider does not endorse or condone the illegal use of VPNs.