F1 Leaves ESPN: Apple TV Is the Sole US Home for Races in 2026

Starting in 2026, you will need an Apple TV subscription to watch every F1 race in the US.

Apple TV becomes the new official US broadcaster for F1 from 2026. Image: Apple, Formula 1

Hey, F1 fans in the US! Get ready for a major change to your race weekends. Starting in 2026, you'll be watching your favorite sport exclusively on Apple TV. Apple and Formula 1 have officially signed a five-year deal, making the streaming giant the new sole broadcaster for all F1 races in the United States. This new pact marks the end of an era, bidding farewell to the sport's long-time home on ESPN.

F1's ESPN Era Is Over: What This Means for US Viewers

This new five-year agreement officially brings a new era to F1 broadcasting in the US, starting with the 2026 season. It concludes ESPN's seven-year run, which will end after the 2025 season. For viewers, this means the familiar experience of tuning into ESPN for the race will be replaced by the Apple TV app.

In an official statement, ESPN acknowledged the transition, giving well-wishes to F1: “We're incredibly proud of what we and Formula 1 accomplished together in the United States and look forward to a strong finish in this final season. We wish F1 well in the future.”

How to Watch F1 in 2026: The Apple TV Plan Explained

So, how will you watch F1 in 2026? Here’s the breakdown of the Apple TV plan.

The big question for many fans is: "Will F1 be free on Apple TV?" The answer is no; live races will be part of the standard Apple TV subscription (which is currently around $12.99/month). This subscription will get you all practice sessions, qualifying, Sprint sessions, and the Grands Prix.

However, there is good news for casual fans: Apple has confirmed that select races and all practice sessions will be available to watch for free within the Apple TV app, even without a subscription.

What Happens to My F1 TV Subscription?

This is the number one question for dedicated F1 TV subscribers, and it's a huge part of the deal. Don't worry, F1 TV isn't disappearing. In fact, an F1 TV Premium subscription will be included for free with your standard Apple TV subscription in the US.

Here's the catch: F1 TV Premium will no longer function as a standalone app in the US. To access your F1 TV content (like multi-camera feeds and data), you will need to link your account and watch it through the Apple TV app. This move streamlines the viewing experience, and at $12.99/month, it's actually less than the current $16.99/month for F1 TV Premium alone.

Will Apple Use the Sky Sports Feed (like ESPN)?

This is a major question for fans who have grown accustomed to the Sky Sports commentary team (like David Croft and Martin Brundle) on the ESPN feed.

The short answer is: we don't know yet.

Current reports indicate that production details are not yet finalized. Both Apple and F1 have only shared that all "production details, product enhancements" will be announced in the upcoming months. While many speculate Apple might create its own broadcast team—especially given their work on the upcoming F1 movie—it's not yet clear if they will initially use the Sky Sports feed as ESPN did. We are acknowledging this is a key concern for fans, and it remains a "watch this space" situation.

Beyond the Races: Apple's F1 Ecosystem Integration

Apple plans to embed the F1 experience across its entire ecosystem. Expect to see F1 content and updates integrated into Apple News, Apple Maps, Apple Music, and Apple Fitness+.

The free Apple Sports app for iPhone will also be a key hub, providing live updates for every qualifying, Sprint, and race. This includes real-time leaderboards, season driver and constructor standings, Live Activities on your Lock Screen, and a dedicated iPhone Home Screen widget. Apple has stated they plan to bring this integration to even more of their products in the "coming months."

Why the Big Switch? The Movie and the Money

This platform switch didn't come out of nowhere. It's built on a collaboration that's been growing for over three years while Apple and F1 worked on the upcoming F1 The Movie, which has already generated significant buzz.

In an official press release, the partners stated, “We are no strangers to each other, having spent the past three years working together to create F1 The Movie, which has already proven to be a huge hit around the world.“ This new deal, reportedly valued at $140 million to take the rights from ESPN, solidifies Apple's commitment to live sports and F1's push into the US market.