Apple Secures Exclusive US Formula 1 Streaming Rights

Apple has finalized a significant five-year agreement to become the exclusive broadcaster of Formula 1 in the United States. Starting with the 2026 season, Apple TV will serve as the primary destination for all Grand Prix races, effectively ending the long-standing tenure of ESPN as the sport’s U.S. television home.

The deal, valued at approximately $750 million over its five-year term, sees Apple paying an annual fee estimated between $140 million and $150 million. This figure represents a substantial increase over the $85 million per year currently paid by ESPN.

Comprehensive Coverage and Accessibility

Subscribers to Apple TV will gain access to the full spectrum of F1 events, including:

• All practice sessions
• Qualifying rounds
• Sprint sessions
• Every Grand Prix race

Additionally, the company plans to offer select races and all practice sessions free of charge via the Apple TV app throughout the season.

Integrating the Ecosystem

Beyond live broadcasts, Apple intends to leverage its broader digital ecosystem to bolster the sport’s presence. The company confirmed that coverage will be integrated across several platforms:

• Apple News: Enhanced editorial coverage.
• Apple Maps and Apple Music: Specialized content and integrations.
• Apple Fitness+: Sports-related programming.
• Apple Sports App: Real-time leaderboards, driver and constructor standings, and Live Activities for the Lock Screen.

Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Services, highlighted the timing of the partnership, noting that 2026 represents a “transformative new era” for the sport, encompassing new regulations, teams, and vehicle designs. “We look forward to delivering premium and innovative fan-first coverage to our customers in a way that only Apple can,” Cue stated.

Strategic Context

This expansion into Formula 1 follows a period of transition for the tech giant, which recently rebranded its streaming service from “Apple TV+” to simply “Apple TV.” The move also builds on the existing relationship between the two entities following the production of the film F1, which starred Brad Pitt and became the highest-grossing sports movie in history with $629 million in global revenue.

Formula 1 currently ranks among the fastest-growing sports globally, with its U.S. audience reaching 52 million people in 2024. With this acquisition, F1 joins Apple TV’s existing sports portfolio, which already includes partnerships with Major League Soccer and Major League Baseball.

For more details on the official broadcast partnership, visit the Apple Newsroom.