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Starting with the 2026 season, Apple TV has entered an exclusive deal to broadcast Formula 1â„¢ in the United States, including all Grand Prixâ„¢ , qualifying and practice sessions in the United States.
In short, that means you need an Apple TV subscription to watch Formula 1â„¢ races this season. In this post, we'll break down exactly how to subscribe, how to save money, what is the best device to use to tune in, and what you can watch for free.
Before this season, in the US, you could catch Formula 1â„¢ live on ESPN on cable, or streaming via the F1TV platform. For 2026, the new partnership means ESPN will not be showing any races. Apple is the exclusive broadcast partner. (However, you can still use the F1TV app if you want, more on that below).
For 2026 and beyond, you need an Apple TV subscription to watch using the Apple TV app on a compatible device to stream to your TV. You can also watch in a web browser at tv.apple.com.
Apple TV costs $12.99 per month, or $99 per year. To get the annual plan as a new subscriber, first subscribe to the monthly plan, then go into your subscription settings and switch to the annual plan. Get a seven-day free trial here for new signups.
A single Apple TV subscription can also be shared with up to six people through Family Sharing. If you are a student, you can get Apple TV at no extra charge as a free perk of the Apple Music Student Plan. Apple TV is also included (or at a reduced cost) through some mobile carrier plans.
Whatever way, as long as you have access to Apple TV, you will be able to watch all of the Formula 1â„¢ content --- live and on-demand --- in 4K quality. There is no additional tier or other purchase necessary.
The TV app has a dedicated Formula 1â„¢ hub where you can find live streams of the race action, as well as alternative streams for driver onboard cameras and other special features.
During race weekends, Apple TV has broadcasts of everything; practice sessions on Friday, qualifying on Saturday, and the Grand Prixâ„¢ race on Sunday. All practice sessions stream for free -- no subscription required -- so people coming to the sport for the first time can get a taste of the experience without needing to subscribe.
You don't need to watch live. Races are also available on-demand to watch on replay. Beyond the core race content, Apple will also host a selection of supplementary coverage, across the season, including roundups and archive material.
If you can't see the Formula 1â„¢ hub inside the Apple TV app, check for app updates and check if your operating system is up to date. On iPhone, you can find a quick link to the F1â„¢ hub from the Search tab. On iPad, it is in the tab-bar. On other platforms, check the sidebar navigation for Formula 1â„¢. You can also find it in the top menu at tv.apple.com. This hub is only available in the United States region; it doesn't appear for customers in other countries.
Inside the hub, press the Follow button to get push notifications and updates when events are happening. This will also make upcoming races appear in your Apple TV Watchlist queue.
The list of compatible devices is long. The Apple TV app is available on iPhone, iPad, Mac, but also Android phones and tablets, Windows PCs, games consoles like PlayStation and Xbox, and more --- as well as a web app experience at tv.apple.com.
The best way to watch is probably using an Apple TV 4K set-top box, though. This is Apple's streaming box and generally delivers the best visual and audio quality. You will also be able to use the Multiview feature, which lets you watch four different streams of the action simultaneously.
Multiview through the Apple TV app is currently available on Apple TV 4K, Vision Pro and iPad. On other platforms, you can only watch one video stream at a time.
On supported platforms, Multiview presets make it easy to load up side-by-sides of your favorite teams. For instance, one click on a team preset and both driver onboards will be presented in a Multiview layout, along with the main feed. There's also a podium tracker, that automatically follows the cars in first, second and third place.
If you are an existing Formula 1â„¢ fan, you may be used to enjoying race day using the F1TV website or apps. While you cannot pay directly for F1TV anymore, you can still access the F1TV experience if you have an Apple TV account. This is because Apple TV includes F1TV Premium as a free perk.
To link accounts, open the F1TV app on your phone, or use this page online here. Click the Activate button to connect your F1TV and Apple account together. You can then carry on watching through F1TV like you always used to do. You may also want to use F1TV to access the vast historical archive, or watch lower division racing that will not be available directly through the Apple TV app itself.
As standard, new sign-ups to Apple TV are put on the monthly plan, which is currently $12.99 per month. However, an annual plan is hidden away as an option, which is priced at just $99 per year, which works out about 50% cheaper compared to subscribing monthly for 12 months.
To get the annual plan, first subscribe on the monthly plan. Then, go into your Apple account subscription settings, select Apple TV and choose the Annual plan from the list of alternative options.
The Apple F1â„¢ deal runs through 2032, and could be extended if it is successful. The companies have promised that this is just the beginning, and more features and production enhancements will roll out to the service over time.
In terms of viewership, most expect the initial debut to show declines compared to when the season kicked off on ESPN. But Apple and F1â„¢ are hoping that people adopt the subscription model over time.
For fans who previously used F1TV, it is actually a pretty good deal --- they can now watch the sport for basically the same price as last year, except also get access to the entire Apple TV content library of TV shows and movies too.
If you were already an F1TV and Apple TV subscriber last year, you simply save money this season, as you no longer have to pay for F1TV.
Major League Soccer is also included with Apple TV this year, for even more accessible sports content.
The big question is whether Apple will expand its F1â„¢ relationship globally. Right now, this deal is only available in the United States. But in success, it seems likely Apple will bid for similar exclusive rights in other countries.
He’s a software engineer with a deep passion for Formula 1 and motorsport. He co-founded Formula Live Pulse to make live telemetry and race insights accessible, visual, and easy to follow.
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