YouTube TV Free Trial: How Long It Lasts in 2026 and How to Cancel
YouTube TV offers new members 5 days for $0, then bills the plan you picked ($82.99/mo for the main plan). Here's who qualifies and how to cancel in time.
Yes, YouTube TV has a free trial. On October 26, 2026, its sign-up page offered new members 5 days for $0. When the trial ends, you're billed automatically, and the main plan's standard price is $82.99 a month. Cancel before the last day if you don't want to keep it.
Last checked: October 26, 2026 against the official site. Details can change.
How long the YouTube TV free trial lasts
The "Try 5 days for $0" button appeared on both the main YouTube TV plan and the Sports + News Plan on YouTube TV's welcome page. Google's free trial help article adds that "trial lengths vary for each plan," so the 5-day figure isn't fixed.
To see exactly how many days you have left, open the YouTube TV app, select your profile photo, then go to Settings > Membership. The page shows how many days remain before your account converts to a paid membership.
Who qualifies for the trial
- New members only. You're eligible only if you're new to YouTube TV and haven't signed up for a free trial before.
- A working card is required. When you start, YouTube TV authorizes your credit card with a small amount to confirm it's active, and that hold is removed afterward. Your bank decides how quickly it drops off.
- Prepaid credit cards are not supported, according to the help center.
The help center also says some people see a charge after signing up because they weren't eligible. If you've had a YouTube TV trial on that account before, expect to pay right away.
What you pay after the free trial
When the trial ends, your account switches to a paid membership automatically. You're charged for the plan you chose plus any add-on networks you subscribed to, and that date becomes your monthly billing date. These were the prices on the welcome page on October 26, 2026:
- YouTube TV (main plan): 100+ channels for $82.99/mo. New users were offered $59.99/mo for the first 2 months, through November 16, 2026.
- Sports + News Plan: 50+ channels, including locals, for $71.99/mo. New users were offered $49.99/mo for the first 5 months, also through November 16, 2026.
Both promotions say "No refunds" and "Offer terms apply." Your checkout screen shows the price your first bill will use, so check it before you confirm. Prices can change.
What you get during the trial
A trial includes every channel in the plan you signed up for. The plan details on the welcome page list:
- Unlimited DVR space
- Up to 6 household accounts, each with its own profile and library
- 3 simultaneous streams
- Features such as multiview, for watching up to 4 games at once on supported devices
Add-on networks such as HBO Max can also be tried, but Google says add-on trials have "separate sign-up and billing." If you start one, you have a second trial to keep track of.
How to cancel the YouTube TV free trial
Google's cancel or pause help page lists these steps for a web browser:
- Go to YouTube TV in a web browser and select your profile photo.
- Go to Settings > Membership.
- Click Manage.
- Click Cancel membership, then Cancel.
After you cancel, you keep access until the trial ends. Google says canceling "does not immediately remove your access to the service, even during the free trial period." If you want access removed right away, contact support. If you cancel by mistake, you can reactivate on the Membership page, and you won't be charged until the trial expires.
After a paid period ends, recordings in your library expire after 21 days. If you meant to cancel but were charged, the help article links to a refund request form. If a refund is granted, you lose access immediately. For more on getting the timing right, see our guide on how to cancel a free trial before you're charged.
Bottom line
YouTube TV's trial is short, but it's real and it includes the full channel lineup and DVR. Start it right before a weekend of games you want to watch, check Settings > Membership for your exact end date, and cancel by then if it isn't for you. If you'd like to compare other live TV tryouts, see our posts on the Fubo free trial and the Philo free trial.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the YouTube TV free trial right now?
When we checked on October 26, 2026, YouTube TV's sign-up page offered 5 days for $0. Google's help center says trial lengths vary by plan, so confirm the number of days left under Settings, then Membership, after you sign up.
Can I get a second YouTube TV free trial?
No. Google's help center says you're eligible only if you're new to YouTube TV and haven't signed up for a free trial before. If you weren't eligible, you may be charged right away.
Will I lose access if I cancel YouTube TV during the trial?
No. YouTube TV says canceling during the free trial does not remove access right away. You keep the service until the trial period ends. Contact support if you want access removed immediately.
Why do I see a charge on my card after starting the trial?
YouTube TV places a small authorization on your card to confirm it's active, and that amount is removed once the card is verified. If you've had a trial before, the charge may be a real payment because you weren't eligible.