A five-year Formula 1 Apple US broadcast deal 2026 confirmed. With Apple TV to stream every F1 session live, expanding the sport’s reach across America, the deal reshapes how America will watch Formula 1 live on Apple TV As ESPN bows put of F1 Coverage in the U.S
Formula 1 has confirmed a new five-year exclusive U.S. broadcast deal with Apple starting in 2026. The partnership marks a major shift in how American fans will watch the sport, with all Formula 1 sessions – from practice to Grand Prix – streaming on Apple TV, supported by expanded coverage across Apple’s digital platforms.
A new era for Formula 1 in America
It’s official. Apple will hold the keys to Formula 1’s U.S. coverage from 2026. Every practice, qualifying, Sprint, and Grand Prix session will air on Apple TV, marking the end of a decade under ESPN and the beginning of a fully digital model built around Apple’s global ecosystem.
The partnership brings two of the world’s most recognisable brands together, aiming to grow F1’s already-surging American audience through a mix of live sport and cross-platform storytelling.
From the big screen to the grid
The deal follows the record success of F1: The Movie, Apple’s first deep collaboration with Formula 1. The film has earned more than $630 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing sports movie in history.
When it lands on Apple TV on 12 December 2025, the timing will act as a natural handover to the company’s new broadcasting role.
“This is an incredibly exciting partnership for both Formula 1 and Apple that will ensure we can continue to maximise our growth potential in the U.S.”
Stefano Domenicali, Formula 1 CEO
Live coverage and Apple’s ecosystem
Every F1 session will stream on Apple TV. Selected races and all practice sessions will be free to watch in the Apple TV app, while premium coverage and features will sit behind Apple’s subscription layer.
Apple will also extend Formula 1 content across Apple News, Music, Maps, Sports, and Fitness+, embedding F1 throughout its product family. It’s a full-ecosystem move aimed at reaching younger, more diverse audiences, the same demographic shift highlighted in the 2025 Global Fan Survey.
What it means for F1 TV in the United States
Formula 1 says F1 TV Premium will continue to be available in the U.S., but the exact integration with Apple TV is still being finalised.
Reports suggest U.S. users will access F1 TV content directly through Apple TV, though neither company has confirmed whether standalone subscriptions on F1.com will end. What’s certain is that Apple becomes the primary home for live coverage. How F1 TV fits inside that ecosystem will be confirmed later.
“We’re thrilled to expand our relationship with Formula 1 and offer Apple TV subscribers front-row access to one of the fastest-growing sports on the planet.”
Eddy Cue, Apple SVP of Services
Confirmed and Unconfirmed Details
What’s Confirmed
Apple will be Formula 1’s exclusive broadcast partner in the United States from 2026.
Every session, including practice, qualifying, Sprint, and race, will air on Apple TV.
Some sessions, including selected Grands Prix, will be free to watch on the Apple TV app.
F1 TV Premium will remain available in the United States through Apple’s platform.
Fans outside the United States will see no change to the current F1 TV service.
What’s Not Confirmed
Whether the F1 TV app will close completely for U.S. users or simply redirect to Apple TV.
How current F1 TV subscribers will move across, whether automatically or through a new sign-up process.
Which sessions will stay free, and how often that access will rotate through the season.
The pricing structure Apple will set for full-season access.
In short: Apple now owns the U.S. broadcast rights. What happens next depends on how F1 TV is folded into Apple’s platform and how the company decides to package the sport.
Coffee Corner Take
This isn’t just a broadcast deal. It’s Formula 1 locking itself into Apple’s world.
Netflix opened the door. The movie lit the stage.
Now Apple owns the theatre, and the spotlight is fixed on America.
For years Formula 1 has chased traction in the United States. From Miami’s party grids to Vegas’ neon skyline, the growth has been quick but uneven. This partnership changes that. Apple gives Formula 1 something it has never truly had in the U.S. — a unified global platform with cultural reach.
Apple doesn’t just stream content. It builds ecosystems. F1 news will surface in Apple News. Race results will appear in Apple Sports. Highlights, playlists and training features will tie into Music and Fitness+. It’s lifestyle integration, not just live coverage.
The sport that once fought for airtime now sits inside the world’s biggest tech brand. That isn’t expansion. It’s establishment.
Formula 1 – Apple becomes broadcast partner for Formula 1 in the United States
The Race – What we know about F1’s new Apple TV broadcast deal
Join the Coffee Corner Motorsport Community
Dive into full race reports, data stories, and behind-the-scenes features
across Formula 1, Formula 2, and beyond.