Apple lands major US Formula 1 broadcast deal worth $750 million
In a landmark move for both technology and motorsport, Apple has secured the rights to broadcast Formula 1 in the United States for the next five years. The deal, reportedly valued at about $750 million in total, positions Apple as a major player in live sports streaming and marks the tech giant’s first foray into sports broadcasting on this scale.
The agreement, set to begin in 2026, is understood to be priced at roughly $150 million per year. Under the terms, F1 content will be available to all Apple TV subscribers in the U.S. as part of their standard monthly fee, with Major League Soccer currently offered by Apple as an optional add-on for those seeking broader sports access. This structure signals Apple’s intent to blend premium sports programming with its core streaming platform.
What the deal includes for fans
American viewers will gain access to comprehensive Formula 1 coverage, including live on-track sessions and the entirety of content produced by the sport’s in-house channel, F1 TV. The deal promises a fan-centric experience, leveraging Apple’s technology to deliver high-quality streams and robust accessibility across devices.
Commentary arrangements for the US market have not been finalized. Apple is expected to source commentary from either F1 TV’s established team or alternate providers such as Sky, rather than producing a bespoke Apple broadcast at launch. This approach allows Apple to deploy a familiar and quality commentary framework as the platform scales its sports offerings.
Why this deal matters for Apple and F1
The partnership is a strategic milestone for Apple as it ventures deeper into sports broadcasting, a space it has historically been cautious about entering at scale. Apple TV customers will receive exclusive access to live sessions and F1 TV content, strengthening the service’s appeal to sports fans who want comprehensive race coverage in one place.
F1’s leadership welcomed the agreement, with chairman Stefano Domenicali highlighting the collaboration as a catalyst for growth in the U.S. market. He noted that the deal aligns with F1’s broader strategy to expand fan engagement through innovative distribution channels, which Apple is uniquely positioned to elevate.
Impact on existing rights and media landscape
Apple’s new arrangement follows ESPN’s previous U.S. rights deal, which priced at about $80 million per year. The shift underscores a broader transformation in how audiences access live sports, favoring bundled streaming experiences with extensive on-demand libraries. The deal could influence future rights negotiations across major sports as streaming platforms seek stable, long-term partnerships with leagues.
Beyond F1, Apple’s strategic investment in sport is complemented by its continued expansion of other services under the Apple umbrella. The company’s statement emphasized that the deal would “amplify the sport across all Apple’s outlets”—News, Maps, Music, Sports and Fitness+—illustrating a holistic approach to content distribution that leverages the broader Apple ecosystem.
Industry reaction and potential fan experience
Analysts view the deal as a win for fans who value seamless access to premium sports content through familiar technology. The inclusion of F1 TV content reduces the friction of switching between services and devices, while the potential for enhanced features such as data overlays, interactive race analytics, and on-demand replays could redefine how fans engage with every Grand Prix weekend.
As the 2026 launch approaches, excitement is building among U.S. audiences who want a centralized platform for live races, practice and qualifying sessions, and in-depth team analysis—paired with the reliability and user experience that Apple is known to champion.
Looking ahead
While Drive to Survive remains available on other streaming platforms, this latest deal focuses on live F1 and related content within Apple’s ecosystem. For Apple, the move signals a broader ambition to expand premium sports without sacrificing the seamless user experience that defines the brand. For Formula 1, the partnership opens a powerful new distribution channel capable of accelerating growth and fan immersion in the United States.
