Apple and Formula 1 (F1) have announced a landmark five-year partnership that will bring live F1 racing to Apple TV subscribers in the United States beginning in 2026. This move expands Apple’s growing portfolio of sports content and provides F1 with a major distribution platform in a key market.
Expanding Sports Coverage
Apple’s investment in F1 follows the success of its F1-themed movie and the broader push into live sports streaming. The deal makes Apple TV the exclusive home for F1 races in the US, including all Grands Prix, Sprint events, practice, and qualifying sessions. Some free races and practice events will also be available within the Apple TV app.
What This Means for Viewers
Fans with an Apple TV subscription will gain access to extensive F1 coverage in English or Spanish. The partnership also includes integration across Apple’s ecosystem:
– Apple News : for race-related updates.
– Apple Fitness Plus : for potential F1-inspired workouts (though details remain scarce).
– Apple Music : for curated playlists.
– Apple Maps : for tracking race locations.
A new Apple Sports app will deliver real-time race updates, leaderboards, and standings directly to iPhones and lock screens via widgets. Current F1 TV subscribers in the US will automatically receive F1 TV Premium included with their Apple TV subscription, granting access to multiview, in-car cameras, and team radio feeds.
The Bigger Picture
This deal is strategically important for both companies. For Apple, it enhances the value of its streaming service by offering exclusive, high-demand content. For F1, it secures a powerful partner to grow its US audience, capitalizing on the sport’s rising popularity.
“2026 marks a transformative new era for Formula 1,” said Eddy Cue, Apple Senior VP of Services. “We look forward to delivering premium and innovative fan-first coverage.”
This partnership highlights the broader trend of streaming services competing for exclusive sports rights, driving up costs but also creating more specialized content experiences for fans. The move underscores how tech giants like Apple are increasingly becoming dominant players in the sports media landscape.
The collaboration is set to begin in March 2026, marking a significant shift in how US audiences will consume Formula 1 racing.
