This May, Bulgarian cycling fans will be able to follow one of the most prestigious events in world sport – the Giro d’Italia – on Eurosport channels and the streaming platform HBO Max. The race will begin on May 8 with a historic Grande Partenza in Bulgaria, putting the country in the spotlight of millions of viewers around the world.
Eurosport and HBO Max, part of the Warner Bros. Discovery portfolio, will provide comprehensive television and digital coverage of the race. The stages will be broadcast on Eurosport 1 and Eurosport 2, with viewers able to watch every minute of the race live and recorded on HBO Max.
Guy Voisin, WBD Sports Europe Vice President, Cycling, told Bulgarian media:
“The Giro d’Italia is one of the most inspiring races in world sport, with a legacy that spans more than a century and has produced so many unforgettable champions and moments for generations. From the first ascent of the Stelvio Pass in Italy by Fausto Coppi to the recent debut stage win by Mathieu van der Poel in Hungary, this race has a history that goes far beyond Italy. To see this story begin a new chapter in Bulgaria this year is something special. Eurosport has been broadcasting cycling in this country for many years, helping to build a knowledgeable and passionate audience, and it is only fitting that this long-standing commitment should be reflected in bringing the Giro to your home country for the first time and shining a spotlight on your routes and scenery. We can’t wait for the race to get underway and look forward to offering Bulgarian fans every stage on HBO Max and beyond. Eurosport.”
Historic start in Bulgaria
In 2026, the Giro d’Italia will start in Bulgaria for the first time in its history, with the first three stages taking in key cities and regions of the country: Nessebar – Burgas (8 May), Burgas – Veliko Tarnovo (9 May), Plovdiv – Sofia (10 May). After the start in Bulgaria, the race will continue in Italy, with the final stage traditionally taking place in Rome on 31 May.
Viewers will benefit from expert analysis from leading international commentators and former Eurosport champions, including Alberto Contador, Robbie McEwan and Jens Voigt.
The Bulgarian coverage will also include the local commentary team:
Zhytomir Penakov (covering cycling since 2009, known for his detailed and detailed information about the venues and stages)
Danail Petrov (six-time national champion, top 60 at the London Olympics, second place in the general classification of the Tour of Turkey, participant in the Vuelta in 2012).
Lyuboslav Venkov (former cyclist, judge, manufacturer of racing bicycles and the largest race organizer in the country) will join the coverage after the Giro moves to Italy.
Simeon Kichukov (part of the local commentary team since 2018, the Bulgarian journalist who attended the most Grand Tours live) will talk to the best and most interesting cyclists in the race and will create content for the Eurosport Bulgaria Facebook page.
107 hours of live coverage
The television coverage will include 107 hours of live coverage on Eurosport 1 and HBO Max. The Bulgarian stages will be broadcast from start to finish with almost 15 hours of live coverage on Eurosport 1, as well as multiple replays. Each of the three stages will have a 30-minute studio broadcast after the finish. On 08.05, the opening stage is scheduled to start at 13:30 local time, with the next two stages at 11:45 and 13:00 respectively.
The Giro d’Italia broadcast is part of Warner Bros. Discovery’s extensive cycling portfolio. Warner Bros. Discovery has renewed its exclusive long-term rights to broadcast the Giro d’Italia and RCS Sport’s leading Italian cycling races, ensuring the race will continue to be available to millions of viewers in Europe and the US on the HBO Max and Eurosport platforms, with the agreement extending the partnership between the parties to over 30 years (after the first broadcast in 1998 in Europe) and solidifying the company’s position as the “Home of Cycling”, providing more than 1,000 live race broadcasts each year from the world’s leading events.
For the 2026 Giro d’Italia, Eurosport has also created a video called “The Weight of Pink”, which captures the symbolism of the “pink jersey” as seemingly light, but carrying enormous pressure and responsibility. The message emphasises that the real weight lies in the expectations, history and fight to remain the leader in cycling’s most prestigious race.
