How to Watch the RuPaul's Drag Race Season 18 Finale
Entertainment

How to Watch the RuPaul's Drag Race Season 18 Finale

authorBy Mindy Kaling
DateApr 17, 2026
Read Time3 min

The eighteenth season of the popular reality competition series, RuPaul's Drag Race, is culminating in a grand finale. After more than three months of intense competition, the leading contestants are set to compete for the esteemed title of America’s Next Drag Superstar. The winner will not only receive a substantial prize of $200,000 but also an exclusive collaboration with Anastasia Beverly Hills. Adding to the excitement, global music icon Miley Cyrus will be honored with the Giving Us Lifetime Achievement Award, a prestigious accolade previously bestowed upon luminaries such as Bob Mackie, Elvira, and Liza Minnelli.

The highly anticipated finale is scheduled to air on April 17, at 8 p.m. PT/ET, on MTV. Viewers have several options to stream the event live, many of which include free trial periods. DirecTV offers a five-day free trial, allowing new subscribers to access MTV and watch the finale. Philo provides a seven-day free trial, making it another excellent choice for those looking to catch the show without an immediate subscription. Fubo also extends a five-day free trial, and Hulu + Live TV offers a three-day free trial, ensuring multiple avenues for fans to witness the crowning of the new drag superstar.

For those interested in DirecTV, the MTV channel is included across all its primary packages: Entertainment, Choice, Ultimate, and Premier. New customers can leverage the five-day free trial to watch the finale and explore other offerings. After the trial, packages begin at $19.99 per month, allowing users to customize their channel lineup to suit their preferences.

Philo stands out as an economical alternative for cable TV, providing access to over 70 channels. After the initial seven-day free trial, subscriptions are priced at $25 per month. This makes Philo an attractive option for viewers seeking a broad range of content at a competitive price, while also ensuring they don't miss out on the Drag Race finale.

Fubo also offers a pathway to view the finale, with a five-day free trial available for new subscribers. Following the trial period, the subscription cost starts at $45.99 for the first month, subsequently adjusting to $55.99 per month. Fubo is known for its extensive sports coverage, but it also includes a wide array of entertainment channels, including MTV.

Hulu + Live TV provides a comprehensive streaming solution that includes MTV, along with bundled access to Disney+ and ESPN+. New users can enjoy a three-day free trial, allowing them to watch the finale and experience the full suite of services. After the trial, the monthly subscription starts at $89.99. This option caters to those who desire a wide variety of live and on-demand content, encompassing entertainment, sports, and family-friendly programming.

The season 18 finale promises to be a spectacular event, showcasing the talent and artistry of the top queens. With Miley Cyrus’s special appearance and the intense competition for the coveted title, fans are eagerly anticipating the outcome. The availability of multiple streaming platforms with free trial options ensures that a broad audience can tune in to support their favorite contestants and celebrate the show's conclusion.

This year’s finale of RuPaul's Drag Race is poised to be an unforgettable television moment. Viewers can easily access the live broadcast through various streaming services like DirecTV, Philo, Fubo, and Hulu + Live TV, all of which offer convenient free trial periods. This accessibility ensures that fans across different platforms can partake in the excitement, witness the crowning of America’s Next Drag Superstar, and celebrate the artistry and impact of the show, along with Miley Cyrus’s honorary recognition.

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