Apple has officially acquired the rights to broadcast Formula 1 in the United States from 2026, in a landmark five-year deal valued at approximately $750 million (£558 million). The agreement marks Apple’s boldest move yet into live sports broadcasting and is set to reshape how American fans experience Formula 1.
Under the new deal, Apple will pay around $150 million (£111.6 million) per year for exclusive rights, surpassing the previous $80 million annual contract held by ESPN. The agreement ensures that all Formula 1 races, qualifying sessions, and practice events will be available to Apple TV subscribers in the US as part of their standard subscription — at no additional cost.
This marks the first time Apple has included a major global sport within its core streaming package. Although the company already holds broadcasting rights for Major League Soccer, those are offered as an optional paid add-on.
The move represents a significant moment for both Apple and Formula 1, as the sport continues to experience rapid growth in the US market. The success of Netflix’s Drive to Survive documentary series, the rise of American F1 drivers and teams, and the introduction of new races in Miami, Las Vegas, and Austin have all contributed to a surge in US viewership.
The deal was reportedly influenced by the success of Apple’s own F1-themed movie starring Brad Pitt, which grossed approximately $630 million (£470 million) worldwide. The film, which follows a fictional Formula 1 team, became the highest-grossing sports movie of all time and Pitt’s most successful film to date.
According to Formula 1 chairman Stefano Domenicali, the partnership reflects F1’s ambitions to expand further in the US. “This is an incredibly exciting partnership for both Formula 1 and Apple,” Domenicali said in a statement. “It will allow us to continue to maximise our growth potential in the US with the right content and innovative distribution channels.”
Apple confirmed that its coverage will include all live on-track sessions as well as content from F1’s in-house streaming platform, F1 TV. The company has yet to decide on commentary arrangements but is expected to license feeds from either F1 TV or the UK’s Sky Sports network rather than producing its own at launch.
Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice-president of services, described the agreement as a “long-term commitment” to growing Formula 1’s American audience. “We look forward to delivering premium and innovative fan-first coverage to our customers in a way that only Apple can,” Cue said. “F1 has grown rapidly in the US, but it can still grow exponentially — and we want to help make that happen.”
Cue also hinted that Apple’s partnership with F1 may extend beyond the five-year agreement, suggesting that the company sees this as a long-term strategic investment rather than a short-term trial. “We didn’t get into this just for five years,” he said. “We did it because we think it can be huge, and we’ll want to continue this partnership well beyond the initial term.”
The deal is expected to integrate Formula 1 content across Apple’s ecosystem, including Apple News, Apple Music, Maps, Sports, and Fitness+. The move underscores Apple’s growing ambition to become a major player in sports entertainment and its commitment to developing immersive, technology-driven fan experiences.
For Formula 1, the partnership represents another major milestone in its mission to strengthen its foothold in the United States. With record attendance figures at American circuits and growing engagement among younger audiences, the sport’s popularity is at an all-time high.
Domenicali also suggested that similar deals could be considered in other markets depending on the success of the US model. “We have to do the right things in this market first,” he said. “If it works and there are opportunities elsewhere, why not?”
With Apple’s global reach and commitment to premium content, this new partnership could mark the beginning of a new digital era for Formula 1 broadcasting — one designed to attract new fans while deepening the experience for existing ones.
