Apple is racing into live sports in a big way. The tech giant announced Friday a five-year partnership with Formula 1 that will make Apple TV the exclusive home of all F1 races in the United States beginning in 2026.
The agreement marks one of Apple’s most ambitious sports media moves yet, positioning the company as a major player in global motorsports coverage. It also extends Apple’s growing relationship with Formula 1, which began with F1 The Movie — the blockbuster Apple Original Films project that became the highest-grossing sports movie of all time.
Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Services, called the partnership a milestone moment for both brands. “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,” Cue said. “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 in a way that only Apple can.”
Under the new deal, subscribers will have access to every practice, qualifying, Sprint session, and Grand Prix. Select races and all practice sessions will stream for free in the Apple TV app, part of Apple’s strategy to attract new fans while rewarding loyal subscribers.
In addition, Apple plans to integrate Formula 1 content across several of its services. Apple News, Maps, Music, and Fitness+ will feature F1 tie-ins throughout the season. Meanwhile, the company’s Apple Sports app will deliver live updates, leaderboards, and standings for every race weekend, complete with real-time notifications and home screen widgets.
F1 TV Premium, Formula 1’s direct-to-consumer offering, will also be available in the U.S. exclusively through Apple TV. Current F1 TV subscribers will continue to receive the service at no additional cost.
Formula 1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali said the partnership strengthens the sport’s momentum in the United States, where interest has surged in recent years.
“We have a shared vision to bring this amazing sport to our fans in the U.S. and entice new fans through live broadcasts, engaging content, and a year-round approach to keep them hooked,” Domenicali said. “We’re looking forward to the next five years together.”
The partnership follows a record year for Formula 1 in America. According to the 2025 Global F1 Fan Survey, the U.S. fanbase has grown to more than 52 million, with nearly half of new fans aged 18 to 24 and over half identifying as female — a demographic expansion that Apple’s platform is well positioned to reach.
Apple’s relationship with Formula 1 will also continue through F1 The Movie, which makes its global streaming debut on Apple TV on Dec. 12, 2025. Starring Brad Pitt and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and Lewis Hamilton, the film has grossed more than $629 million worldwide since its theatrical release.
Further details on Apple’s F1 production plans and coverage innovations are expected to be announced in the coming months.
The reports of the agreement from various outlets value the partnership around $140M in average annual value, a 56% increase from the roughly $90M it receives from ESPN. ESPN held the F1 rights in the United States since 2018 and will run until the end of this year,.
In a statement, ESPN said, “We’re incredibly proud of what we and Formula 1 accomplished together in the United States and look forward to a strong finish in this final season. We wish F1 well in the future.”
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