Apple strikes five-year, $750m deal for exclusive US rights to Formula 1

The five-year deal is worth an estimated US$750m

Apple has struck a five-year deal to acquire exclusive US rights to motor racing championship Formula 1 for an estimated US$750m.

Under the agreement, which begins in 2026, Apple TV (fka Apple TV+) will carry all Formula 1’s Grand Prix, qualifying, sprint sessions and free practice content. Terms of the agreement weren’t disclosed, though the deal is reportedly worth around US$150m annually over the five years.

The Apple TV pact means Formula 1 will leave ESPN, which has been the US home of Formula 1 since 2018. The new deal is a major increase over the annual US$90m that Disney/ESPN has paid to carry the motor racing championship.

In the announcement today, Apple highlighted that the US rights deal comes after the success of F1, the Apple original film starring Brad Pitt. The project has grossed almost US$630m thus far at the global box office, which Apple said makes it the most successful sports movie of all time. The movie will make its global streaming debut on Apple TV on December 12, 2025.

The companies also highlighted a recent global Formula 1 fan survey that indicated 47% of the sport’s new American fans (those who have been following for five years or less) are aged 18-24. Of those, more than half are female, according to the report.

In addition to Formula 1 content being on Apple TV’s paid streaming service, the deal will also see select races and all free practice sessions made available to watch for free in the Apple TV app.

Formula 1’s streaming product F1 TV Premium will continue to be available in the US as a standalone service. Meanwhile, for Apple TV subscribers, the F1 TV Premium service will be included for free.

“This is an incredibly exciting partnership for both Formula 1 and Apple that will ensure we can continue to maximise our growth potential in the US with the right content and innovative distribution channels,” said Formula 1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali.

Apple’s senior VP of services Eddy Cue added: “We’re thrilled to expand our relationship with Formula 1 and offer Apple TV subscribers in the U.S. front row access to one of the most exciting and fastest-growing sports on the planet.”