Apple takes the wheel: Exclusive F1 broadcast rights secured in the USA from 2026

Written by Kavi Khandelwal, Edited by Meghana Sree

In a major move, Apple has secured a five-year deal for exclusive United States broadcast rights to Formula One, starting from the 2026 season. This decision has been followed by the immense growth of the sport in the US.

Credit: Formula One

F1's turning point in the US came with Netflix's docuseries: Formula 1: Drive to Survive. The show's compelling storytelling and behind-the-scenes drama introduced the sport to a massive audience.

Prior to this, F1 had been a niche sport with a dedicated yet limited following in the US, often broadcasting on smaller cable networks.

This 'Drive to Survive effect' is widely credited for the exponential growth in American viewership and interest. It created a market so valuable that a tech tital like Apple was willing to make such a significant investment.

The partnership is reportedly worth $750 million, and fans will be able to watch the F1 action on Apple TV, a significant step for the company in the live sports streaming arena.

F1's President and CEO, Stefano Domenicali has expressed his excitement about the partnership as he stated: "This is an incredibly exciting partnership for both Formula One and Apple that will ensure we can continue to maximise our growth potential in the U.S. with the right content and innovative distribution channels.

"We have a shared vision to bring this amazing sport to our fans in the U.S. and entice new fans through live broadcasts, engaging content, and a year-round approach to keep them hooked."

The deal

The deal extends upto 2030 as the Apple TV subscribers in the US enjoy exclusive access to live coverage of every single session. To ensure broader accessibility, all practice sessions and select races throughout the season will be available for free on the Apple TV app.

Under the new agreement, F1TV Premium will continue to be available in the US exclusively through an Apple TV subscription, and it will not include an additional cost for the subscribers.

Apple's vision for F1

Credit: Apple

The massive success of F1: The Movie has been incredibly important for Apple. The movie stands as the highest grossing sports film of all time. Apple's Senior Vice President, Eddy Cue stated: "We're thrilled to expand our relationship with Formula 1 and offer Apple TV subscribers in the U.S. front-row access to one of the most exciting and fastest-growing sports on the planet."

Apple's strategy includes leveraging its entire ecosystem to promote and enhance the F1 experience. Apple Sports aims to provide real-time updates, leaderboards and standings to make it easier for fans to follow the action.

This holistic approach was designed to embed F1 into the daily lives of its users, creating a more engaging and immersive experience.

A technological revolution in broadcasting

This partnership also hints at a significant evolution in how the fans watch the sport. Apple is expected to bring high-end production quality and technological innovation to its F1 coverage.

There is considerable anticipation for the integration of Virtual and Augmented Reality experiences, allowing fans to witness a lap from a driver's perspective in VR or use AR to view live telemetry and data overlays.

Having already tested new camera technologies during the production of its movie, Apple is set to deliver a broadcast with a new standard for immersion in motorsport.

A win-win partnership

For Apple, this major acquisition strengthens its live sports offerings and attracts a passionate and affluent fanbase. For F1, this stands as a chance to partner with a global technological leader as it continues the impressive growth in the US market.

As the 2026 season approaches, all eyes will be on Apple to see if it delivers on its promise of a "fan-first" broadcast. The lights are about go out on a new era for F1 in the US, and Apple is in the driver's seat.