Apple races into live sports with a landmark partnership
Apple has signed a $700 million deal to broadcast Formula 1 races in the United States, starting in 2026, replacing Disney-owned ESPN. The five-year partnership, worth around $140 million per year, marks Apple’s latest move into live sports streaming, Financial Times reports.
“Apple will ensure that F1 reaches more homes and becomes a bigger part of American fan culture,” said Stefano Domenicali, F1’s CEO.
“It’s the perfect combination to hopefully become socially relevant soon, in a way that makes everyone wake up and think of Formula 1 like they think of the NFL, NBA, or MLS.”
A strategic move in Apple’s growing sports portfolio
Apple will stream all F1 sessions — practice, qualifying, sprint races, and Grands Prix — while integrating its ecosystem of apps, podcasts, music, and news. “We’ll bring everything Apple has to offer,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Services, calling the sport’s growth potential “exponentially huge.”
Cue cited the success of the “F1” film starring Brad Pitt, which grossed $630 million globally: “It was the biggest Brad Pitt movie ever, the biggest sports movie ever, a huge blockbuster this year.”
Formula 1’s audience in the US continues to grow, averaging 1.4 million viewers per race on ESPN in 2025. With Apple’s entry, the sport’s visibility and appeal to younger fans are expected to accelerate, reinforcing F1’s position alongside America’s major leagues.
Photo: F1
