Apple sichert sich exklusive Formel-1-Rechte in den USA

Apple is expanding its sports offerings to include one of the world's most dynamic competitions. Starting next year, the company will become the official and exclusive broadcast partner of Formula 1 in the United States. The five-year partnership will bring all races, practice sessions, and qualifying live to Apple TV. This strengthens Apple's position in the streaming market while also strengthening the growing connection between technology and motorsport.

Starting in 2026, Formula 1 will be available exclusively on Apple TV in the US. The agreement between Apple and Formula 1 builds on an already close collaboration that began with the success of "F1 The Movie" – an Apple Original Movie that has established itself as the most successful sports film of all time. By entering live broadcasting, Apple aims to enhance the fan experience and make motorsport accessible to an even wider audience.

A new TV experience on Apple TV

Apple TV aims to offer a new way to experience Formula 1. Subscribers will have access to all practice sessions, qualifying, sprint sessions, and Grand Prix events throughout the season. In addition, selected races and all practice sessions will also be available at no additional cost via the Apple TV app. This allows Apple to strike a balance between exclusive premium content and freely accessible motorsport.

The company is integrating Formula 1 not only into its streaming offerings, but also into other services. F1 can be experienced in various contexts via Apple News, Apple Maps, Apple Music, and Apple Fitness+. The free Apple Sports app provides real-time data on all sessions, including live rankings, season standings, lock screen activity, and an iPhone home screen widget.

A central component of the new offering is F1 TV Premium. The Formula 1 premium service will remain available exclusively via Apple TV in the US and will be free for subscribers.

Voices on the partnership

Eddy Cue, Apple's Senior Vice President of Services, sees the agreement as a significant step into a new era of motorsport. According to Cue, 2026 will mark the beginning of a transformative phase for Formula 1, marked by new teams, new regulations, and new cars. The goal is to provide fans with high-quality and innovative coverage that showcases the sport as only Apple can.

Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1, also describes the partnership as an important milestone. It will enable the company to further expand its growth potential in the US with the right content and modern distribution channels. Domenicali emphasizes that Apple and Formula 1 have already worked together successfully for over three years – including on the production of "F1 The Movie." The new collaboration is intended to help strengthen existing fans' loyalty to the sport and attract new viewers.

F1 The Movie as a trailblazer

"F1 The Movie" laid the foundation for the deeper collaboration between Apple and Formula 1. The film, which originated at Apple Studios and was produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, Joseph Kosinski, Lewis Hamilton, Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, and Chad Oman, was a commercial and critical success. With over $629 million in box office revenue since its theatrical release in summer 2025, it is the most successful sports film and the most successful original film of the year. It received an "A" rating from CinemaScore and a 97 percent audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Its worldwide streaming debut on Apple TV is scheduled for December 12, 2025.

Growth of Formula 1 in the USA

Formula 1 has grown significantly in popularity in the United States in recent years. According to the 2025 Global F1 Fan Survey, the fan base reached approximately 52 million people in 2024. The demographic trend is particularly striking: 47 percent of new fans in the US have been following the sport for less than five years, are between 18 and 24 years old, and more than half are female. These figures illustrate the potential of the American market, which Apple is specifically targeting with its reach and technology offerings.

Apple TV as a streaming platform

Since its launch in 2019, Apple TV has established itself as a platform for high-quality content. Its offerings include exclusive series, films, documentaries, family entertainment, and live sports. To date, Apple Originals have received 629 awards and 2,845 nominations. With Formula 1, Apple TV is expanding its portfolio with one of the world's most popular sports formats and is clearly positioning itself as a premium streaming provider with global reach.

More details and technical innovations are coming

Further information on production details, new features, and the integration of Formula 1 content into the Apple ecosystem will be released in the coming months. Both partners announce their commitment to continuously enhance the fan experience and introduce technological innovations that will transform the way motorsports is viewed.

Apple combines innovation and racing in one experience

With the exclusive Formula 1 broadcast in the US, Apple combines its technological expertise with the dynamics of motorsport. This collaboration marks a strategic step that makes sports more digitally accessible, modern, and interactive. Apple is positioning itself not just as a streaming provider, but as an integral part of a new era of sports in which technology and entertainment seamlessly intertwine. (Image: Apple)