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Starting in 2026, Formula 1 will no longer be available on traditional American television. Apple has secured exclusive U.S. broadcasting rights for the F1 championship, a major first in sports media history. Every race will be streamed via the Apple TV app, signaling a bold new chapter for the sport—and for Apple.
A streaming-first future for Formula 1
This new five-year deal between Apple and Formula 1 redefines how American viewers will access the sport. Apple won the contract with an offer estimated at $140 to $150 million per year, nearly double what ESPN had been paying. Beginning in 2026, all races and qualifying sessions will be hosted on Apple’s platform. A notable detail: select races and every practice session will still be available for free, even to those without a subscription.
Formula 1 TV Premium will also be seamlessly integrated into the Apple TV ecosystem at no additional cost. For fans, this means a smoother, more immersive viewing experience. For Apple, it’s a high-stakes move to establish itself as a major player in sports streaming.
As someone who’s followed the trajectory of sports broadcasting closely, this shift genuinely excites me. We’ve all seen what happened with music, film, and TV. Now live sports are fully crossing into the streaming age. Apple’s entry raises the bar. To read Gwen Stefani headlines magical 2025 Disney Christmas Parade
ESPN bows out after boosting F1’s U.S. popularity
ESPN had been airing Formula 1 since 2018 and played a huge role in boosting its popularity in the United States. The Netflix docuseries Drive to Survive was a turning point, but ESPN helped carry the momentum forward with consistent coverage and smart broadcasting choices.
Ultimately, Apple’s deep pockets and long-term vision won the bidding war; ESPN chose not to match the offer. One can’t help but feel a touch of nostalgia. ESPN helped F1 bloom stateside, and now the sport is moving into a new era.
Eddie Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of services, summed up the company’s excitement: “This is one of those special moments… I hope we’re in business forever,” he said, hinting at a long-term commitment well beyond the initial five-year deal.
A growing sports portfolio on Apple TV
Apple’s acquisition of F1 rights is part of a broader sports strategy. In recent years, Apple has added:
- Major League Soccer (MLS), complete with the MLS Season Pass
- A Friday night Major League Baseball package
- And now, full access to Formula 1, including exclusive rights in the U.S.
Apple is clearly positioning itself not just as a tech company, but as a serious force in sports entertainment. They’re building something holistic: a place where sports live next to series, music, and even podcasts. To read Toho expands into Europe with bold anime distribution moves
The F1 film that changed everything
There’s an emotional aspect to this story too, and it begins with a film. Before securing the rights, Apple had already dipped its toes into the F1 world with F1: The Movie. Directed by Joseph Kosinski and starring Brad Pitt as a veteran driver helping a struggling team, the movie wasn’t just a piece of fiction—it was filmed during actual races with real F1 branding.
The impact? Tremendous. The film made $55.6 million at the U.S. box office on opening weekend and has now topped $600 million worldwide. But maybe more importantly, Eddie Cue recalled that many viewers who had never watched an F1 race before said they planned to tune in. That speaks to the power of storytelling in drawing new fans into a sport.
I love when cinema meets sport like this. It’s not just PR, it’s a real way to bring people into an atmosphere they might otherwise never experience. And Pitt, even in fiction, carried that F1 intensity with surprising authenticity.
A calculated gamble with big potential
Formula 1 now faces a question that many sports leagues have wrestled with: how to reach a broader audience while still monetizing aggressively. Moving away from traditional TV always comes with risks. Not every fan is thrilled about needing another subscription.
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali acknowledged this challenge, saying, “The question will be, how are we going to balance reach versus monetization.” It’s a valid concern. Some longtime viewers might fall off in the transition.
But Apple plans to leverage everything in its ecosystem—retail, Apple Music, Podcasts, Apple News, even its stores—to promote the sport around the globe. That kind of synergy could transform F1 into a mainstream property in the U.S. for good.
Personally, I see this as a smart, if bold, evolution. If Apple does it right, they could turn Formula 1 into the kind of global cultural event that only the Super Bowl—or maybe the World Cup—currently manages to be.
