Apple Lands Five-Year Deal for F1 Distribution in the U.S.

Besides airing on Apple TV, the sport will be amplified on other Apple services

Formula 1 has announced a five-year partnership with Apple to become the sport’s exclusive U.S. broadcast partner from 2026, bringing together two global brands with a shared passion for innovation, excellence, and entertainment. Under the new broadcast agreement, Apple TV will host all Free Practice, Qualifying, and Sprint sessions and Grands Prix. Selected races and all Free Practice sessions throughout the season will also be available to watch for free in the Apple TV app.

“This is an incredibly exciting partnership for both Formula 1 and Apple that will ensure we can continue to maximize our growth potential in the U.S. with the right content and innovative distribution channels,” says Stefano Domenicali, president/CEO, Formula 1. “We are no strangers to each other, having spent the past three years working together to create F1 the Movie, which has already proven to be a huge hit around the world.”

According to multiple reports, the five year deal is worth $750 million overall. That means F1 will see roughly $150 million per year under the new agreement – a significant increase over the $90 million ESPN currently pays under its expiring deal.

Apple is expanding its relationship with Formula 1 and offering Apple TV subscribers in the U.S. front-row access to one of the most exciting and fastest-growing sports on the planet. “2026 marks a transformative new era for Formula 1 from new teams to new regulations and cars with the best drivers in the world,” says Apple SVP, Services, Eddy Cue. “We look forward to delivering premium and innovative fan-first coverage to our customers in a way that only Apple can.”

In addition to airing F1 on Apple TV, Apple will amplify the sport across Apple News, Apple Maps, Apple Music, Apple Sports, and Apple Fitness+. F1 TV Premium, F1’s own premier content offering, will continue to be available in the U.S. only via Apple TV subscription and will be free for subscribers. Additional information, including production and product details, and all the ways fans will be able to enjoy F1 content across their favorite Apple products and services, will be announced in the coming months.

The news follows the hugely successful F1 the Movie, an Apple Original Film that was released internationally in cinemas and IMAX venues in June and will make its global streaming debut on Apple TV on Friday, Dec. 12. Apple invested significantly in the project and worked with the F1 community in an unprecedented collaboration over three years to deliver a truly authentic and immersive racing movie for new and established F1 fans.

Critically acclaimed worldwide, F1 the Movie has grossed nearly $630 million globally to date, making it the most successful sports movie in history. Its success demonstrates Apple’s ability to reach a diverse range of consumers across its powerful ecosystem and presents a groundbreaking opportunity to engage new fans.

The 2025 Global F1 Fan Survey found that 47% of new U.S. F1 fans, those who have been following the sport for five years or less, are ages 18-24 and that more than half are female, underlining the partnership’s huge potential to expand the sport’s younger and more diverse audience.

Domenicali says F1 and Apple have a shared vision to bring F1 to fans in the U.S. and entice new fans through live broadcasts, engaging content, and a year-round approach to keep them hooked. “I want to thank [Apple CEO] Tim Cook, Eddy Cue, and the entire Apple team for their vision, enthusiasm, and passionate approach to delivering this partnership. We are looking forward to the next five years together.”

ESPN said in a statement, “We’re incredibly proud of what we and Formula 1 accomplished together in the U.S. and look forward to a strong finish in this final season. We wish F1 well in the future.”