Formula One racing will appear exclusively on Apple TV next year as part of a five-year deal announced Friday between the tech giant and Formula One.
Apple TV subscribers in the US will have access to practice, qualifying, sprint sessions and Grand Prix footage, as well as F1 TV Premium, a subscription to Formula 1.
Some races and workouts may be free to watch on the Apple TV app. The Apple Sports app will provide real-time updates on each Grand Prix, including live leaderboards, Apple said.
“2026 marks a new era of transformation for Formula 1, from new teams to new rules and cars with the best drivers in the world, and we look forward to providing our customers with premium and innovative fan-focused coverage in a way that only Apple can,” Eddie Cue, senior vice president, said in a statement. Apple Service.
Stefano Domenicali, Formula 1 President and CEO, said the partnership will help maximize Formula 1's growth potential in the United States. His company worked with Apple on the Formula 1 movie starring Brad Pitt, which was released last summer. It was Apple first box office hit.
“We have a shared vision to bring this amazing sport to our fans in the U.S. and reach new fans through live events, engaging content and a year-round approach to keep them hooked,” Domenicali said in a statement.
Apple paid roughly $140 million a year for racing rights, according to a person familiar with the matter who was not authorized to speak publicly. The races have been televised on ESPN since 2018, and the agreement expires this year. ESPN was paying an average of about $85 million a year, the source said. Financial conditions came first. CNBC reports this.
Apple and Formula 1 did not immediately respond to requests for comment, and ESPN declined to comment on the financial terms of the deal.
“We are incredibly proud of what we and Formula 1 have achieved together in the United States and look forward to a strong finish to this final season,” ESPN said in a statement. “We wish Formula 1 every success in the future.”
Streaming services are increasingly broadcasting sports on their platforms to attract more viewers flocking to major events. In addition to Formula 1, Apple has offers to stream games from Major League Baseball And Major League Soccer.
Apple also recently announced the deal merge Apple TV with NBCUniversal's Peacock streaming service.
