In a monumental shift for American sports broadcasting, Apple (AAPL) has been named the exclusive new home for Formula 1 in the United States. This groundbreaking five-year partnership, announced today, will see the entire F1 calendar—including every practice session, qualifying round, Sprint event, and Grand Prix—stream exclusively on Apple TV starting next season. This move effectively ends the era of split broadcasting rights in the U.S., centralizing the world’s premier motorsport on a single, global technology platform.
This alliance is a strategic expansion of a relationship supercharged by the unprecedented success of the Apple Original Film, “F1 The Movie.” The blockbuster’s record-shattering box office performance demonstrated the potent synergy between the two brands, proving there is a massive, untapped audience for high-octane racing drama.
United by a core philosophy of technological innovation and premium user experience, Apple and Formula 1 are now positioned to redefine how American audiences engage with the sport, setting the stage for its next phase of explosive growth.
Apple TV subscribers will receive comprehensive, wall-to-wall coverage of the F1 World Championship. In a bid to attract new viewers, select races and all practice sessions will be available for free within the Apple TV app throughout the season. The partnership extends far beyond the broadcast itself, creating a deeply integrated ecosystem for fans. Coverage will be amplified across Apple News, Apple Music, and Apple Fitness+, while the free Apple Sports app for iPhone will deliver real-time leaderboards, Live Activities on the Lock Screen, and dedicated widgets. Furthermore, the premier F1 TV Premium service will continue to be accessible in the U.S. exclusively through an Apple TV subscription and will be offered free to subscribers.
Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Services, stated, “We are thrilled to offer Apple TV subscribers front-row access to one of the most thrilling and fastest-growing sports globally. The 2026 season heralds a transformative new era for Formula 1, and we are committed to delivering innovative, fan-first coverage that only Apple can provide.” Echoing this sentiment, Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali called the partnership “incredibly exciting,” noting it will “maximize our growth potential in the U.S. with the right content and innovative distribution channels,” building on the shared vision cultivated during the production of their hit film.
Adding to the momentum, the critically acclaimed “F1 The Movie” is set for its global streaming debut exclusively on Apple TV on December 12, 2025. The film, already the highest-grossing sports movie in history, has not only broken box office records but has also played a pivotal role in attracting a new, younger, and more diverse demographic to the sport. Recent fan surveys indicate that Formula 1 is one of the world’s fastest-growing leagues, with a significant portion of its new U.S. fanbase being aged 18-24 and over half being female, signaling a transformative period for the sport’s stateside appeal.
