Apple is officially entering the world of motorsports broadcasting. Beginning with the 2026 Formula 1 season, Apple will become the exclusive home for F1 coverage in the United States. The deal, reported to be worth around 140 million dollars annually, will give Apple streaming rights to every race weekend, including practice sessions, qualifying rounds, sprint events, and the Grand Prix itself.

The agreement marks a significant shift away from traditional television coverage, which has been handled by ESPN since 2018. Under the new arrangement, Formula 1 content will stream through the Apple TV app, available across Apple devices and other supported platforms. Some portions of coverage will reportedly remain free to view, while full access will require a subscription to Apple’s service.

This move expands Apple’s growing presence in live sports. The company already holds rights for Major League Baseball’s Friday Night Baseball broadcasts and Major League Soccer’s Season Pass package. Adding Formula 1 to its portfolio places Apple in direct competition with established sports broadcasters and strengthens its position as a destination for premium live content.

For Formula 1, the deal represents an opportunity to deepen its reach in the U.S. market, where the sport’s popularity has surged in recent years. Events like the Miami, Austin, and Las Vegas Grand Prix races have drawn major crowds, and streaming platforms have helped expose the sport to a younger audience. Partnering with Apple could further boost that momentum by integrating F1 coverage into Apple’s ecosystem, where fans can easily access related content such as highlights, documentaries, and race analysis.

Sources familiar with the deal suggest that Apple’s partnership will effectively replace the standalone F1 TV Premium service in the U.S. Subscribers who previously used that platform will instead access coverage directly through the Apple TV interface. This shift may streamline access for some fans while prompting others to reconsider their subscriptions, especially those accustomed to F1’s independent app.

The contract runs through 2030 and reinforces Apple’s long-term investment in live programming. The company is expected to pair race coverage with original productions, including behind-the-scenes features and potential cross-promotions with Apple Music and Apple News. It also comes as Apple continues to develop an F1-themed film starring Brad Pitt, which will debut in 2026, coinciding with the start of its broadcast deal.

For viewers, this means that starting in 2026, every U.S. Formula 1 race weekend will be accessible only through Apple’s platform. Fans will need to shift from cable television to streaming if they want full access to live coverage, replays, and exclusive content. While the pricing model has not been finalized, industry analysts believe Apple will bundle F1 access into its existing Apple TV+ offerings rather than launching a separate sports tier.

The move underscores a major transformation in how global sports are distributed and consumed. With streaming giants like Apple and Amazon pushing deeper into live events, traditional networks face increasing pressure to adapt. Formula 1’s deal with Apple signals that the future of sports broadcasting may rely less on cable schedules and more on flexible, on-demand access for fans across devices.

By securing one of the most prestigious motorsport properties, Apple is positioning itself as a key player in the streaming era of live sports. For American F1 fans, the message is clear: starting in 2026, the race begins on Apple TV.