Apple Wins Exclusive Formula 1 U.S. Broadcasting Rights in $750 Million Deal
Tech giant Apple has officially secured the exclusive rights to broadcast Formula 1 in the United States for the next five years, in a landmark deal reportedly worth $750 million (£558 million). Beginning in 2026, the agreement will bring all F1 races, qualifying sessions, and related coverage to Apple TV subscribers in the U.S. — included at no extra cost within their standard monthly plan.
The deal represents Apple’s most ambitious move yet into live sports broadcasting, marking a bold new chapter for both the company and the world’s most prestigious motorsport series.
A Historic Move into Sports Streaming
According to industry insiders, Apple will pay approximately $150 million (£111.6 million) annually for the rights, surpassing the value of the current F1 U.S. broadcasting contract with ESPN, which is worth around $80 million (£60 million) per year.
Unlike Apple’s existing sports content, such as its Major League Soccer (MLS) coverage — which requires an additional subscription fee — F1 will be included free of charge for all Apple TV+ subscribers in America.
This shift indicates Apple’s growing confidence in sports entertainment as a major driver of digital subscriptions and audience engagement. The move aligns with the company’s broader push to integrate live sports into its streaming ecosystem, enhancing its global competitiveness against rivals like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+.
Unprecedented Access for American F1 Fans
Under the new deal, Apple TV users will enjoy comprehensive Formula 1 coverage, including live broadcasts of every race weekend session — from practice and qualifying to the main event. Additionally, subscribers will have access to exclusive content from F1 TV, the sport’s official digital platform.
This means fans can look forward to a full range of features, including driver interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, race analysis, and real-time data streams — all seamlessly integrated within Apple’s interface.
While the commentary lineup is yet to be finalized, Apple is reportedly considering licensing the existing F1 TV or Sky Sports feeds rather than immediately producing its own coverage. This approach mirrors Apple’s strategy of prioritizing high-quality partnerships before building in-house production capabilities.
Brad Pitt’s F1 Movie Helped Seal the Deal
One unexpected factor that reportedly helped accelerate the negotiations was Apple’s success with the Formula 1-themed movie starring Brad Pitt, released earlier this year.
The film, which depicted the intensity and glamour of F1 racing, grossed an impressive $630 million (£470 million) worldwide — becoming the highest-grossing sports movie in history and the biggest box-office success of Pitt’s career.
Industry observers suggest that the movie’s impact helped showcase Formula 1’s cinematic appeal and its rising popularity in the United States, persuading Apple that a long-term partnership with the sport would be commercially and culturally strategic.
F1 Expands Its U.S. Footprint
For Formula 1, this agreement represents another major leap in its ongoing effort to expand its American audience. Once seen as a niche sport in the U.S., F1 has experienced a dramatic rise in popularity over the past five years, fueled by the hit Netflix documentary series “Drive to Survive.”
While the new Apple deal will not affect the Netflix show — which will continue to air independently — it will likely complement it by giving fans real-time access to the racing action alongside their favorite behind-the-scenes storytelling.
The timing could not be better: F1 now boasts three U.S. races on its annual calendar — in Austin, Miami, and Las Vegas — drawing massive crowds and celebrity attention. The partnership with Apple is expected to further amplify the sport’s cultural and digital presence across the American market.
Apple’s Ecosystem Advantage
Beyond live coverage, the partnership will extend F1’s visibility across multiple Apple platforms. In a joint statement, Formula 1 confirmed that the collaboration will “amplify the sport across all Apple outlets,” including Apple News, Maps, Music, Sports, and Fitness+.
This integration means fans could see F1 content woven throughout Apple’s ecosystem — from race updates on Apple News to location data in Maps for upcoming Grand Prix circuits, or even F1-inspired fitness challenges through Apple’s workout app.
Such cross-platform integration is a hallmark of Apple’s approach, leveraging its ecosystem to create a seamless and immersive user experience that keeps subscribers engaged year-round.
Leadership Voices: Excitement from Both Sides
Both Formula 1 and Apple have expressed enthusiasm about the partnership and its potential to reshape how audiences experience the sport.
F1 chairman and CEO Stefano Domenicali hailed the agreement as “an incredibly exciting partnership” that aligns with the sport’s vision for growth in the U.S.
“This partnership with Apple will ensure we continue to maximize our growth potential in America through the right content and innovative distribution channels,” Domenicali said.
From Apple’s side, Eddy Cue, Senior Vice President of Services, emphasized the company’s commitment to delivering premium, fan-first coverage.
“We look forward to bringing innovative, world-class F1 coverage to our customers in a way that only Apple can,” Cue said.
A Turning Point for Sports Broadcasting
The Apple-F1 deal marks a significant turning point in the evolution of sports broadcasting, highlighting how streaming platforms are increasingly overtaking traditional TV networks in securing high-profile sports rights.
Analysts predict that Apple’s entry into Formula 1 could reshape how fans consume live sports, especially if the company leverages its technology — such as spatial audio, 4K HDR streaming, and interactive race data overlays — to enhance the viewing experience.
Moreover, Apple’s ability to bundle F1 with its existing services could set a new precedent for how sports rights are monetized in the digital age.
Looking Ahead to 2026
When the deal officially begins in 2026, Apple TV+ will become the exclusive home of Formula 1 in the United States, delivering live races, highlights, and special features to millions of fans nationwide.
The move underscores both Apple’s ambition to dominate the sports streaming market and Formula 1’s ongoing mission to cement its status as a mainstream American sport.
With record-breaking movie success, skyrocketing fan engagement, and now a billion-dollar media strategy, Formula 1’s next lap in the United States is poised to be its most thrilling yet.