Apple is taking over Formula 1’s U.S. broadcast rights in a deal that could redefine how American fans experience motorsports. Starting in 2026, every practice session, qualifying round, Sprint race, and Grand Prix will stream exclusively on Apple TV, ending ESPN’s seven-year run as the sport’s American home. The five-year agreement, announced on October 17, 2025, is valued between $750 million and $800 million—roughly $150–$160 million per year—according to multiple reports, including ESPN and Huddle Up Substack. The deal doesn’t just move races to a new platform. It’s a full ecosystem integration, with Apple promising to weave F1 into Apple News, Apple Music, Apple Maps, and even Apple Fitness+.
Why This Deal Wasn’t Just About Money
Liberty Media, which has owned Formula 1 since 2017, didn’t renew its contract with ESPN because the network couldn’t match Apple’s vision—or its budget. ESPN paid about $90 million annually but couldn’t run ads during races, limiting revenue potential. Apple, by contrast, isn’t selling ads at all. Instead, it’s betting on subscription growth and brand loyalty. With nearly 300 million iPhone users in the U.S., Apple doesn’t need to monetize the races directly—it just needs to keep people inside its ecosystem. And that’s exactly what it’s doing.The real catalyst? F1 The Movie. Released in June 2025, the Apple Original film grossed between $630 million and $650 million globally, becoming the highest-grossing sports movie of all time. It wasn’t just a box office hit—it was a cultural moment. Fans who’d never watched a race found themselves hooked by the drama, the speed, the engineering. And now, Apple is turning that momentum into a permanent relationship with the sport.
Who’s Saying What
Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Services, didn’t mince words: “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.” He’s not just talking about streaming. He’s talking about Apple Stores hosting watch parties, Apple Music curating race-day playlists, Apple News pushing behind-the-scenes stories, and Apple Fitness+ syncing workout routines with race schedules.Stefano Domenicali, Formula 1’s president and CEO, called it “an incredibly exciting partnership” that will help F1 “get into more houses and more in the culture of the American fans.” He’s right. In the U.S., motorsports have long been dominated by NASCAR. F1 has been niche—until now. With the arrival of the new Cadillac team in 2026, American drivers, engineers, and sponsors are stepping onto the grid for the first time in decades. This isn’t just about broadcasting. It’s about identity.
Derek Chang, CEO of Liberty Media, told CNBC the partnership was “robust” and hinted at global expansion. “We are in talks with them on several fronts,” he said. “I anticipate that Apple will be quite engaged.” That’s code for: a global Apple TV F1 pass could be coming soon—similar to Apple’s MLS Season Pass model.
What Fans Will Actually See
All 24 races in the 2026 season will stream exclusively on Apple TV, but here’s the twist: select races and all practice sessions will be available for free. That’s not charity—it’s strategy. Apple knows it needs to hook casual viewers before asking them to pay. And with Apple’s global reach, this could be the most effective free-to-view rollout in sports history.Will they use Sky Sports F1’s broadcast feed? Or build their own? No one’s confirmed yet. But insiders say Apple is working with F1’s own F1 TV platform, possibly blending it with Apple’s own camera angles, real-time telemetry, and AI-powered insights. Imagine watching a race and seeing your favorite driver’s brake temperature, tire wear, or fuel strategy overlaid in real time—right on your iPhone, Apple Watch, or HomePod.
And it won’t stop at video. Apple Maps will show real-time track maps with pit stop timing. Apple Music will release exclusive driver playlists before each Grand Prix. Apple News will publish daily deep dives from F1 insiders. Even Apple Fitness+ will launch “F1 Driver Workouts”—a 20-minute routine based on the physical training regimen of Max Verstappen or Lewis Hamilton.
What’s Next? The Global Play
Right now, Apple’s deal is U.S.-only. But Derek Chang didn’t just hint at global expansion—he practically waved a flag. “There are no specific details at this moment,” he said, “but we perceive this as a robust partnership that could extend to other areas.”That’s huge. In the UK, Sky Sports dominates. In Germany, RTL has the rights. In Brazil, ESPN Brasil still broadcasts. If Apple launches a global pass, it could upend decades of regional broadcasting deals. And with F1’s fanbase growing fastest in Asia and Latin America, Apple’s timing couldn’t be better.
The 2026 season will be historic—not just because of Cadillac’s debut, but because it’s the first time a tech giant has fully owned a major motorsport’s narrative in a single market. This isn’t just a rights deal. It’s a cultural takeover.
Why This Matters to You
If you’ve ever watched a race on ESPN, you’ll miss the familiar crew—like the late Bob Varsha’s voice or the pit lane interviews. But you’ll gain something far more powerful: control. No more cable bundles. No more regional blackouts. No more waiting for tape-delayed highlights. Just open the Apple TV app, and you’re in the cockpit.And if you’re not a fan yet? That’s the point. Apple didn’t buy the rights to serve existing fans. It bought them to make new ones.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I need an Apple TV box to watch Formula 1?
No. You can watch Formula 1 on any Apple device with the Apple TV app—iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, or even smart TVs with AirPlay. Apple is making the experience device-agnostic, so you can start on your phone during your commute and pick up on your TV at home. Free practice sessions will be available without a subscription, but full race coverage requires an Apple TV+ subscription.
How does this compare to the old ESPN deal?
ESPN paid roughly $90 million annually but couldn’t run commercials during races, limiting revenue. Apple’s deal is 70% higher per year and doesn’t rely on ads at all. Instead, Apple uses F1 to drive Apple TV+ subscriptions and deepen engagement across its entire ecosystem. The content will also be more immersive, with real-time data, multi-camera angles, and integration with Apple’s other services—something ESPN never offered.
Why is Cadillac joining Formula 1 in 2026?
Cadillac’s entry is a direct result of Apple’s partnership. The automaker is leveraging the surge in U.S. F1 interest sparked by F1 The Movie and Apple’s media push. As the first American team since 1985, Cadillac aims to appeal to both racing purists and tech-savvy consumers. Apple’s ecosystem will help promote the team through Apple News, retail displays, and even in-car tech integrations, turning the team into a flagship brand for American motorsport.
Will Apple offer live commentary in multiple languages?
Yes. While the primary feed will likely use the familiar Sky Sports F1 team, Apple is expected to offer multilingual commentary options—Spanish, Portuguese, and possibly even Mandarin—through its Apple TV app. This mirrors Apple’s approach to MLS Season Pass, where users can choose from multiple broadcast feeds. It’s a smart move to attract the growing Latino and Asian fanbases in the U.S.
Is this deal likely to expand outside the U.S.?
Almost certainly. Derek Chang of Liberty Media confirmed talks are underway for global expansion. A global Apple TV F1 pass—similar to Apple’s MLS model—could replace regional broadcasters like Sky Sports and RTL. If successful, this could become the first truly unified global streaming platform for a major motorsport, with Apple as the gatekeeper.
What if I don’t want to pay for Apple TV+?
You won’t miss everything. Apple plans to make select races and all practice sessions available for free in the Apple TV app. That’s enough to sample the action, catch up on qualifying highlights, or watch the new Cadillac team’s debut. But if you want full race coverage, live timing, and exclusive behind-the-scenes content, you’ll need a subscription. It’s a classic freemium model—free to hook, paid to immerse.