Apple signs $750 million deal for exclusive Formula 1 broadcast rights in the US

Tech giant Apple has become the new exclusive broadcast partner of Formula One in the United States, signing a five-year contract worth around $750 million. The agreement will take effect from the 2026 season, replacing the current broadcaster, ESPN.

Under the deal, all 24 rounds of the Formula One World Championship – including practice sessions, qualifying, sprint races and Grands Prix – will be streamed on Apple TV+ at no additional cost to subscribers. Viewers will also gain access to F1 TV Premium, while select practice sessions and races throughout the season will be made available free-to-air to help expand the sport’s audience in the US market.

Apple plans to integrate Formula 1 content across its entire ecosystem – Apple News, Apple Maps, Apple Music, Apple Sports and Apple Fitness+ – enhancing fan engagement and accessibility. According to F1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali, the partnership “will open new opportunities for growth and audience expansion in the US through cutting-edge technology and innovative broadcasting formats.”

The agreement represents Formula 1’s largest-ever broadcast deal in the United States, increasing annual rights fees from approximately $90 million under ESPN to about $150 million per season.