How to watch the 2026 Oscars online for free
TL;DR: Live stream the 2026 Oscars for free on 7Plus, RTÉ Player, or ITVX. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
Yes, the Oscars are almost here. It’s time for the film industry to come together to congratulate itself. Expect stunning gowns, polite clapping, fake smiles, and chaotic acceptance speeches. The group chat is going to come alive for one night only.
Whether you're interested in the red carpet looks, the musical numbers, the award winners, or the sweet unpredictability of live television, you can watch this special event without spending anything. So clear your schedule and invite your sassiest friends. There's always something from this night that causes a huge stir, and we wouldn't want you to miss out on the drama.
If you want to watch the 2026 Oscars for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
What are the Oscars?
The Academy Awards (the Oscars) are the awards for artistic and technical merit in film. The Oscars are widely considered to be the most prestigious awards in the film industry.
When are the 2026 Oscars?
The 98th Academy Awards ceremony will take place on March 15 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. Comedian Conan O'Brien is set to host the show for the second consecutive time in 2026.
How to watch the 2026 Oscars for free
The 2026 Oscars are available to live stream for free on a number of platforms:
Australia — 7Plus
Ireland — RTÉ Player
UK — ITVX
These streaming platforms are geo-restricted, but anyone can access for free with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in another location, meaning you can unblock free streaming sites from anywhere in the world.
Live stream the 2026 Oscars from anywhere in the world by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with access
Visit 7Plus, RTÉ Player, or ITVX
Live stream the 2026 Oscars for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch the 2026 Oscars before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for the Oscars?
ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to access free live streams, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure
Fast connection speeds
Up to 10 simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).
Watch the 2026 Oscars from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.