Apple was announced on Friday that it has secured exclusive US broadcast rights to Formula 1. The new five-year deal between the tech giant and Formula 1 will make Apple TV the exclusive streaming hub for all Formula 1 races starting in the 2026 season, taking over from current broadcaster ESPN.
All practice, qualifying, Sprint sessions and Grand Prix races will be available to Apple TV subscribers. Select games and all practices will also be available for free on the Apple TV app throughout the season, Apple says.
Apple reportedly offered $140 to $150 million per year for the rights, which is significantly more than the $85 million a year ESPN currently pays for Formula 1. Apple’s deal is valued at about $750 million over five years.
The move comes just days after Apple renamed its streaming service from “Apple TV+” to “Apple TV”, bypassing the plus sign.
It also follows Apple’s partnership with Formula 1 on the original film ‘F1 The Movie’ starring Brad Pitt, which grossed $629 million worldwide this year, making it the highest-grossing sports film of all time. The film is set to premiere on Apple TV on December 12.
In addition to streaming Formula 1, Apple says it will boost the sport on Apple News, Apple Maps, Apple Music and Apple Fitness+. In addition, the Apple Sports app will feature live updates of every qualifying, Sprint and Grand Prix race throughout the season, with real-time leaderboards, driver and manufacturer season ratings, live lock screen activities and a Home screen widget.
“We’re excited to expand our relationship with Formula 1 and offer Apple TV subscribers in the US 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 offering our customers premium and ground-breaking fan-first coverage in a way that only Apple can.”
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Formula 1 is the latest sport to join the Apple TV lineup, along with Major League Soccer and Major League Baseball.
Apple notes that Formula 1 is one of the fastest-growing leagues in the world, with a fan base in the US reaching 52 million in 2024.
