Apple is officially becoming the exclusive Formula 1 broadcast partner in the US, with the popular sport coming to Apple TV starting next year. Here are the details from today’s announcement.
Apple and Formula 1 announce five-year partnership that kicks off next year
Following months of rumors and speculation, today Apple made it official.
In a new five-year deal, Apple is becoming exclusive broadcast partner in the US for all Formula 1 rights.
Apple TV, the recently rebranded streaming service, will include comprehensive access to Formula 1 races for all subscribers.
That means that unlike Apple’s MLS service, which is a separate paid subscription, Formula 1 races will stream entirely free for Apple TV subscribers.
So in addition to gaining access to hit shows like Severance, Ted Lasso, and The Morning Show, Apple TV subscribers will also have full Formula 1 access—including “all practice, qualifying, Sprint sessions, and Grands Prix.”
And Apple says it will offer a “more dynamic and elevated viewing experience“ than what’s been done before.
Here’s Apple’s SVP of Services, Eddy Cue:
“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,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Services. “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 to our customers in a way that only Apple can.”
Apple TV will offer some F1 coverage for free
Apple says it plans to offer some Formula 1 coverage free for everyone, with no subscription required at all. This free access will be limited to “select races and all practice sessions.”
What about F1 TV, the existing streaming service? Apple says it “will continue to be available in the U.S. via an Apple TV subscription only and will be free for those who subscribe [to Apple TV].”
As for broadcast coverage, CNBC’s Alex Sherman reports on Apple’s plans for announcers:
Top comment by \\lewis.local
I’d love it if Apple didn’t the same here in the UK! Currently Sky have exclusive rights and charge £33/month for their sports channels (I don’t have any interest in other sports apart from Ice Hockey and F1).
Sky know their days are numbered and are squeezing as much as they can out of their customers.
Unsurprisingly, Apple plans to use its ecosystem of other services to promote F1 in a variety of ways.
In addition to broadcasting Formula 1 on Apple TV, Apple will amplify the sport across Apple News, Apple Maps, Apple Music, and Apple Fitness+. Apple Sports — the free app for iPhone — will feature live updates for every qualifying, Sprint, and race for each Grand Prix across the season, with real-time leaderboards, season driver and constructor standings, Live Activities to follow on the Lock Screen, and a designated widget for the iPhone Home Screen.
Currently, Apple only holds F1 rights in the US. But if this partnership goes well, it is expected the company will want to bid for global streaming rights when they become available in the years ahead.
Are you excited for Apple TV to offer Formula 1 races next year? Let us know in the comments.
Apple TV is available for $12.99 per month and features hit TV shows and movies like Ted Lasso, Severance, The Morning Show, Silo, and Shrinking.
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