Apple and Formula 1 ink 5-year US streaming deal, bringing all races to Apple TV 

apple announcement on Friday that it has secured the exclusive US broadcast rights to Formula 1. The new five-year deal between the tech giant and Formula 1 will make Apple TV the exclusive streaming home for all Formula 1 races starting in the 2026 season, taking over from current broadcaster ESPN.

All practice, qualifying, sprint sessions and Grand Prix races will be available to Apple TV subscribers. Select races and all practice sessions will also be available for free throughout the season on the Apple TV app, Apple says.

apple Reported bids range from $140 million to $150 million annually for the rights, which is significantly more than the $85 million annually that ESPN currently pays for Formula 1. Apple’s contract is worth about $750 million over a five-year period.

The move comes days after Apple rebranded Its streaming service changes from “Apple TV+” to just “Apple TV”, ditching the plus sign.

It also follows Apple’s partnership with Formula 1 for the original film “F1 The Movie,” starring Brad Pitt, which grossed $629 million worldwide this year, making it the highest-grossing sports movie of all time. The film is set to debut on Apple TV on December 12.

In addition to the Formula 1 broadcast, Apple says it will expand the sport across Apple News, Apple Maps, Apple Music and Apple Fitness+. In addition, the Apple Sports app will feature live updates throughout the season for each qualifier, sprint, and each grand prix, including real-time leaderboards, season driver and constructor standings, live activity to follow on the lock screen, and a home screen widget.

“We’re thrilled to expand our relationship with Formula 1 and give US Apple TV subscribers front-line access to one of the most exciting and fastest-growing sports on the planet,” said Eddie Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of services, in a press release. “2026 marks a transformative new era for Formula 1, from new teams to new regulations and cars with the world’s best drivers, and we look forward to delivering premium and innovative fan-first coverage to our customers in a way that only Apple can.”

Formula 1 is the latest sport to join Apple TV’s lineup alongside Major League Soccer and Major League Baseball.

Apple notes that Formula 1 is one of the fastest growing leagues in the world, with a US fanbase expected to reach 52 million in 2024.