After extensive discussions regarding a rights agreement, Apple and Formula 1 have officially reached a milestone in their negotiations.
The tech giant and the racing league revealed a five-year deal that will bring all Formula 1 races exclusively to Apple TV in the U.S. starting in 2026. Apple aims to enhance the viewing experience for Formula 1 fans and believes this collaboration will help attract more motorsports enthusiasts in America over the coming years. Additionally, the company is rebranding its streaming service from Apple TV+ to simply Apple TV.
This action marks another significant step for Apple into the sports domain, joining their existing partnerships with Major League Baseball and Major League Soccer. The recent F1 deal follows Apple’s collaboration on the film “F1 The Movie,” starring Brad Pitt, which grossed $629 million globally this year, making it the highest-grossing sports film in history and Pitt’s top box office success to date. “F1 The Movie” is set to premiere on Apple TV on December 12, 2025.
The financial specifics of the agreement have not been publicly revealed; however, sources suggest that Apple will invest an average of around $150 million annually into the partnership, totaling approximately $750 million over five years. Formula 1 was previously pursuing up to $180 million per year for its U.S. broadcast rights, according to the Wall Street Journal. This figure exceeds the $90 million annually currently paid by ESPN, whose contract expires at the end of 2025 after covering the rights since 2018.
Beginning next year, Apple TV will stream all Formula 1 practice sessions, qualifying rounds, Sprint sessions, and Grand Prix races for U.S. subscribers as part of their $12.99/month subscription. Broadcasts will be available in both English and Spanish, with a selection of races and practice sessions offered for free within the Apple TV app without requiring a subscription throughout the season.
The Apple-Formula 1 partnership extends beyond streaming. Apple plans to “amplify” the sport across platforms such as Apple News, Apple Maps, Apple Music, and Apple Fitness+, while promoting Formula 1 within its physical retail locations. The free Apple Sports app for iPhone will provide live updates for each qualifying round, Sprint, and Grand Prix race across the season, featuring real-time leaderboards and standings for drivers and constructors. The app will allow fans to follow F1 activity directly on the iPhone lock screen and introduce a dedicated F1 widget for the home screen.
Apple has indicated that it will share further details regarding the Formula 1 partnership in the upcoming months, including production insights and how fans can access F1 content through various services and products.
Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior VP of services, expressed his enthusiasm for Formula 1, indicating he has been a devoted fan since childhood. “There’s no better content than Formula 1,” he stated, optimistic about attracting new fans.
Formula 1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali noted the league’s collaboration with Apple has been ongoing for three years with “F1 The Movie.” He emphasized that the new broadcast rights through Apple TV would help integrate the sport more closely with American culture.
“We share the goal of bringing this incredible sport to U.S. fans and engaging new audiences through live broadcasts, captivating content, and a year-round strategy,” Domenicali said. “Apple’s influence goes beyond just being a platform; it’s a cultural phenomenon.”
Under the terms of this agreement, the F1 TV Premium streaming service, priced at $16.99/month, will remain available in the U.S. solely through an Apple TV subscription. Formula 1 executives framed this change as a means to deliver greater value to fans, providing them access to all Apple TV and F1 content at a reduced monthly rate.
To date, Apple TV (formerly Apple TV+) has delivered a limited array of sports content. Since 2022, the service has streamed two regular-season “Friday Night Baseball” games through a partnership with Major League Baseball. In 2023, it launched the “MLS Season Pass” add-on under a decade-long agreement with Major League Soccer.
Looking ahead, Apple aims to secure more sports rights, with Cue emphasizing the importance of offering unique and innovative production approaches for live sports. “We don’t have to replicate existing methods, as there are plenty of services already doing that,” Cue stated at a recent conference in New York. The company is well-positioned in the market, reporting a net income of $23.4 billion for the most recent quarter and boasting $55.4 billion in cash reserves.
ESPN opted not to pursue a renewal for its Formula 1 rights, which it had previously extended through the end of 2025. The inaugural Formula 1 race in the U.S. took place on ABC in 1962, with ESPN carrying races from 1984 to 1997. The league is currently owned by John Malone’s Liberty Media, which concluded its acquisition for $4.4 billion in January 2017.
Domenicali acknowledged ESPN’s role in Formula 1’s growth within the U.S., expressing gratitude for their early investment during a time when others hesitated.
F1 claims to be one of the fastest-growing sports globally, with its U.S. fanbase reportedly reaching 52 million in 2024.
Pictured above: Sparks fly from the car of Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the Oracle Red Bull Racing RB21 during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Singapore on October 4, 2025
