RuPaul has returned for a bombshell 18th season, and if you're hoping to tune in, you've come to the right place. We've gathered everything you need to know about where to watch RuPaul's Drag Race, including streaming options for those without cable.
14 new contestants have gathered together in the latest season, all vying for the coveted title of "America's Next Drag Superstar." The winner will also receive a $200,000 grand prize and an official makeup collaboration with Anastasia Beverly Hills Cosmetics, so it's safe to say that the stakes are high. As in past seasons, the RuPaul's Drag Race guest judge roster is just as exciting as the weekly challenges. This season's special guest judge lineup features big names like Teyana Taylor, Cardi B, Dove Cameron, and Benny Blanco, among other celebs. The regular and recurring judges include RuPaul, Michelle Visage, Carson Kressley, Law Roach, Ts Madison, and Ross Mathews.
The show airs on MTV, which means that viewing options are a bit complicated for those without cable. Fortunately, we've put together absolutely everything you need to know about streaming the show, whether you're hoping to watch Season 18 live or binge old episodes.
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What channel is RuPaul's Drag Race on?
RuPaul's Drag Race airs on MTV in the United States. New episodes drop on Fridays at 8 p.m. ET. Episodes clock in at around 90 minutes (with ad breaks).
Where to watch RuPaul's Drag Race in the US
Cord-cutters without access to MTV can still tune into RuPaul's Drag Race live with the help of a live TV streaming service. There are several MTV-compatible options on the market, but DirecTV, Philo, Sling TV, and Fubo earn our top recommendations right now.
You can stream past seasons of Drag Race on-demand on Paramount Plus, which we'll dig into later, but new episodes usually aren't available on the app until after the latest season has finished airing, so we recommend subscribing to one of the above live TV packages if you'd like to watch the new season live. These services also have solid DVR capabilities and a robust on-demand selection, so they'll be able to help you out if you can't watch a new episode right when it airs but don't want to wait a few months to stream it.
DirecTV is the best cable alternative we've tested, thanks to its impressive channel variety and ability to customize with cheaper genre packs. The MyEntertainment genre pack offers MTV and around 60+ other popular lifestyle and entertainment channels. MyEntertainment also unlocks access to the ad-supported Disney Plus and Hulu bundle, as well as ad-supported HBO Max. Subscriptions cost $35 a month, but new users can get a five-day free trial.
The MyEntertainment package offers lifestyle and entertainment-centric channels (plus a few other surprises). Channel offerings include Bravo, FX, TLC, and more. Subscribers also gain access to ad-supported Disney Plus, Hulu, and HBO Max.
Philo is one of the best budget-friendly live TV streaming services available. The app features over 70 live channels, including MTV, Paramount Network, and AMC, among others. Subscriptions cost $33 a month, but new users can get their first month for just $25. A Philo subscription also includes the AMC Plus library and unlocks access to ad-supported HBO Max and Discovery Plus.
If you want your streaming service to cost less per month than a single trip for the family to Starbucks, Philo is made with you in mind. It features over 70 channels for just $25 a month, but it is missing popular sports and local networks.
Sling TV is another affordable option. Subscriptions start at $46 a month for either of the service's base plans, but you'll also need to get the Entertainment Extra add-on for an additional $6/month to access MTV. This extra also grants viewers access to TV Land, Paramount Network, Logo, and more. In total, this will run you $52/month, but Sling also offers cheap short-term Sling Orange passes with the ability to add on extras. These short-term passes unlock anywhere from single-day to weeklong periods of service at a reduced rate. If you're only interested in watching one episode, like the season premiere, this can be a good option. However, if you're hoping to tune in for the entire season, we recommend getting a monthly plan.
For just the essentials without any extra fluff, Sling TV is the streaming service you're looking for. It's more customizable than other plans, with multiple options you can choose from so you pay only what you need.
Fubo is one of the more comprehensive live TV streaming services out there, especially when it comes to sports. It's a great option for those who are seeking a cable alternative with tons of live channels, in addition to MTV. Fubo subscriptions start at $74 for the Pro tier (the cheapest plan with MTV), but new users can get their first month for $49 after a five-day free trial. Fubo Pro includes over 200 live channels and unlocks ESPN Unlimited access.
Fubo is the streaming service for sports fans. Its huge library of channels includes regional and international sports leagues, setting it apart from the competition. You can also tack on additional programming to your plan, but it'll cost you extra.
If you're looking to watch past episodes of RuPaul's Drag Race or don't mind waiting a while to see the new season, Paramount Plus is the way to go. The streaming service has all 17 past seasons and should eventually get Season 18 as well. In the past, the latest season has become available sometime after it finishes airing in full in the US.
Subscriptions start at $9 a month for the Essential tier, which offers ad-supported on-demand streaming. You can upgrade to Paramount Plus Premium for $14 a month for an ad-free on-demand experience, in addition to CBS live streaming and access to Showtime content. Paramount Plus is also the US streaming home for RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, RuPaul's Drag Race Global All Stars, RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked, RuPaul's Drag Race Global All Stars: Untucked, RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race, and RuPaul's Drag Race Holi-Slay Spectacular.
Paramount Plus is perfect for viewers who want to stream CBS TV shows, local NFL games, and tons of content from Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, BET, and MTV. And if you get the premium tier, you can also unlock ad-free streaming and access to Showtime.
How to watch RuPaul's Drag Race from anywhere
If you're traveling abroad and don't want to miss out on a new episode, you can still keep up with most of your usual watch options with the help of a VPN. Short for virtual private networks, VPNs are handy cybersecurity tools that enable people to change the virtual location on their electronic devices so that they can still access their go-to websites and apps just like they would back home. Since the services we've recommended today require US payment methods, this option will work best for Americans who are just traveling away from home at the moment.
NordVPN is our top recommendation in 2026. The user-friendly app has impressive security perks, a massive selection of servers, and tons of other assets, which we break down in our NordVPN review. Plus, the app has a 30-day money-back guarantee.
NordVPN is top of the pile of the best VPN services. It offers excellent value, with a strong feature set and a low monthly price. A wide selection of international servers, high-end security, fast connections, and audited privacy protection have made the brand a household name in the world of VPNs for a reason.
RuPaul's Drag Race Season 18 trailer
The official RuPaul's Drag Race YouTube channel dropped a Season 18 trailer in early December. The preview offers a sneak peek of some of the upcoming drama this season, as well as a first look at a few of the guest judges. Check out the full video below:
When does RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked air?
New episodes of RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked, the weekly behind-the-scenes companion show, drop immediately after the latest episode of the main show. Viewers can expect to see these short backstage follow-ups on Fridays at around 9:30 p.m. ET on MTV. Like the flagship series, past seasons will eventually end up on Paramount Plus, but you'll need to watch the show live on MTV to catch new episodes during the ongoing season.
When does RuPaul's Drag Race All-Stars return?
RuPaul's Drag Race All-Stars has been renewed for an eleventh season and is expected to return in 2026, though no specific premiere date has been announced yet. Season 10 premiered on May 9, 2025, and ran until July 18. Seasons 7, 8, and 9 followed similar schedules with May premieres. Unlike the flagship RuPaul's Drag Race, All-Stars doesn't air on MTV. Instead, it's a streaming exclusive to Paramount Plus.
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