Apple Wins 5-Year Exclusive Deal to Stream Formula 1 Races on Apple TV in the U.S.

Apple is taking a big step into live sports with a new deal that gives it exclusive rights to stream every Formula 1 race in the United States.

The tech giant and Formula 1 announced on Friday that all F1 races will be available on Apple TV starting in 2026 as part of a five-year agreement.

The deal means Apple TV subscribers will get full access to all Formula 1 events, from races to practice, qualifying, and Sprint sessions, under the regular $12.99 monthly plan, which is ad-free. Some races and all practice sessions will also be free to watch on the Apple TV app throughout the season, according to a joint statement from the companies.

This setup is different from how Apple handles Major League Soccer. While Apple also holds exclusive rights to MLS games, fans must pay extra for a separate Season Pass. With Formula 1, everything will be included in the basic Apple TV subscription.

Sources familiar with the deal told reporters that Apple will pay around $140 million per year for these rights.

That’s a big jump from what ESPN, the current broadcaster, has been paying, about $85 million per year, according to people who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the terms are private. ESPN said in a statement that it is “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.”

F1’s own streaming platform, F1 TV Premium, will still be available in the U.S., but it will now be tied to an Apple TV subscription. Once fans subscribe to Apple TV, they’ll automatically get access to F1 TV Premium as part of that plan instead of paying for it separately.

Apple’s Senior Vice President of Services, Eddy Cue, explained that Apple’s approach to sports is selective. He told CNBC that the company only pursues deals when it can shape the viewing experience from start to finish.

Formula 1 has a new home in the US. Watch every Grand Prix of the 2026 season live on Apple TV. Don’t miss it. pic.twitter.com/tgXI8NkGWe

— Apple TV (@AppleTV) October 17, 2025

“We don’t have to do sports the way that they are,” Cue said during an event in New York hosted by Motorsport Network’s Autosport Business Exchange. “There’s plenty of people doing that, so the world doesn’t need us to do that. And so our view around it is, if we can do something unique, then we’ll do it.”

The partnership builds on Apple’s growing relationship with Formula 1. Earlier this year, F1: The Movie, a racing film produced by Apple and starring Brad Pitt, became the highest-grossing sports movie of all time. Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali called the new streaming deal “an incredibly exciting partnership for Apple and the whole of Formula 1 that will ensure we can continue to maximize our growth potential in the U.S.”

Apple says it will share more details in the coming months about new features and production plans for F1 coverage.

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