Apple has secured a landmark five-year, $700 million deal to become the exclusive U.S. streaming home of Formula 1 beginning in 2026, marking a significant turning point for both the tech giant’s media ambitions and the future of live sports broadcasting. The agreement, worth approximately $140 million per year, will end ESPN’s tenure as the primary Formula 1 broadcaster in the United States and elevate Apple into one of the most prominent players in the increasingly competitive live sports streaming market.
Under the terms of the agreement, Apple will stream every component of Formula 1 race weekends, including practice sessions, qualifying rounds, sprint races, and the main Grand Prix events. The broadcasts will be available through the Apple TV platform, with select content possibly offered for free to non-subscribers in an effort to broaden access and attract new fans. Most full-race coverage, however, is expected to be integrated into Apple’s subscription services, reflecting the company’s broader strategy to grow its recurring revenue through exclusive media offerings.
The deal is Apple’s most ambitious move in sports to date and signals a clear intent to compete with other tech giants such as Amazon and Netflix, who have also been aggressively pursuing premium sports rights. Apple has already made strides in live sports through its Major League Soccer partnership and its limited Major League Baseball broadcasts. But by acquiring rights to a globally recognized, high-octane sport like Formula 1, Apple is significantly expanding its reach and influence in the sports media space.
Formula 1’s leadership has praised the deal, with F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali describing it as a transformational moment for the sport’s growth in the United States. He emphasized that Apple’s technological prowess, marketing capacity, and integration across devices and services could dramatically boost F1’s appeal to younger and digitally native audiences. In recent years, Formula 1 has already made significant inroads into the American market, bolstered by new races in Miami and Las Vegas and the popularity of Netflix’s “Drive to Survive” docuseries. Apple’s involvement could accelerate this growth by embedding F1 content into its powerful ecosystem of products and services.
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From Apple’s perspective, the deal represents both a content acquisition and a strategic brand alignment. Live sports continue to be one of the few types of content that consistently draw large, engaged audiences in real time. As Apple looks to grow its services segment — which includes Apple TV+, Music, News, and Fitness+ — exclusive sports offerings are a logical way to deepen user engagement and increase subscription loyalty. The Formula 1 broadcasts are expected to be heavily integrated with other Apple offerings, potentially including real-time race stats in Apple News, spatial audio experiences through Apple Music, and fitness integrations with the Apple Watch.
Financially, the deal reflects the escalating cost of live sports rights, a trend that has already reshaped the broadcasting landscape. ESPN’s previous Formula 1 contract was significantly less expensive, illustrating how streaming platforms are now willing to outbid legacy networks for premium sports content. This also signals a broader industry transition: as viewers migrate from cable to streaming, leagues and promoters are increasingly willing to prioritize reach and innovation over traditional network relationships.
However, the move is not without potential friction. Some Formula 1 fans have voiced concerns about the accessibility of races behind a paywall, especially for viewers who have grown accustomed to watching through widely available cable networks. Apple will need to balance exclusivity with accessibility, possibly offering tiered content or promotional access to ensure casual fans remain engaged. Additionally, live sports streaming poses technical challenges, and Apple will face scrutiny over its ability to deliver reliable, high-quality broadcasts without latency or service interruptions.
The success of this deal could also influence how other major sports properties approach media rights negotiations in the coming years. If Apple’s model proves effective in expanding fan engagement and generating strong returns, it may encourage leagues like the NFL, NBA, or even the Olympics to rethink their distribution strategies in favor of direct-to-consumer streaming partnerships. It could also compel traditional broadcasters to adapt more aggressively, potentially accelerating the shift away from cable television.
For Formula 1, the Apple partnership represents a bold step into the digital-first future. With a growing U.S. audience, a younger global fan base, and expanding race locations, F1 is positioning itself as a truly global entertainment product. Apple’s platform could help amplify that vision, offering interactive features, data-rich viewing experiences, and seamless access across devices.
As the 2026 season approaches, all eyes will be on how Apple rolls out its Formula 1 coverage — and whether this landmark deal can truly redefine how fans experience motorsport in America. One thing is clear: the lines between tech, entertainment, and sports are blurring, and Apple’s $700 million bet places it squarely at the center of that convergence.
