Apple announced on Friday that it has secured exclusive U.S. broadcasting rights to Formula 1. The new five-year agreement between the tech giant and Formula 1 will make Apple TV the exclusive streaming home for all Formula 1 races starting in the 2026 season, taking over from current broadcaster ESPN.
All practice, qualifying, Sprint sessions, and Grands Prix will be available to Apple TV subscribers. Select races and all practice sessions will also be available for free in the Apple TV app throughout the season, Apple says.
Apple reportedly bid $140-$150 million annually for the rights, which is significantly more than the $85 million annually that ESPN currently pays for Formula 1. Apple’s deal is valued at about $750 million over the five-year term.
The move comes a few days after Apple rebranded its streaming service from “Apple TV+” to just “Apple TV,” ditching the plus sign.
It also follows Apple’s partnership with Formula 1 for the original film “F1 The Movie” starring Brad Pitt, which grossed $629 million worldwide this year, making it the highest-grossing sports movie of all time. The film is set to debut on Apple TV on December 12.
In addition to broadcasting Formula 1, Apple says it will amplify the sport across Apple News, Apple Maps, Apple Music, and Apple Fitness+. Plus, the Apple Sports app will feature live updates for every qualifying, Sprint, and race for each Grand Prix across the season, with real-time leaderboards, season driver and constructor standings, Live Activities to follow on the Lock Screen, and a Home Screen widget.
“We’re thrilled to expand our relationship with Formula 1 and offer Apple TV subscribers in the U.S. front-row access to one of the most exciting and fastest-growing sports on the planet,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Services, in a press release. “2026 marks a transformative new era for Formula 1, from new teams to new regulations and cars with the best drivers in the world, and we look forward to delivering premium and innovative fan-first coverage to our customers in a way that only Apple can.”
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Formula 1 is the latest sport to join Apple TV’s lineup, alongside Major League Soccer and Major League Baseball.
Apple notes that Formula 1 is one of the fastest-growing leagues in the world, with a U.S. fanbase that reached 52 million in 2024.
