Apple Competes with ESPN for Formula 1 U.S. TV Rights

Apple is making a bold move to snag the U.S. broadcast rights for Formula 1, going head-to-head with Disney’s ESPN, which currently airs the races.

With the contract up for grabs in 2026, Apple is looking to build on the success of its hit movie F1, starring Brad Pitt, which has raked in about $300 million at the box office. This marks Apple’s biggest win yet in its push to create original shows and movies for Apple TV+.

The tech giant is diving deeper into live sports, having already teamed up with Major League Baseball to stream Friday night games and inked a major deal with Major League Soccer.

Adding Formula 1 to its lineup would be a huge boost for Apple TV+, especially as the sport gains traction in the U.S., thanks to Netflix’s Drive to Survive and the F1 film drawing in younger fans, women, and American viewers.

• Apple Challenges ESPN for U.S. Formula 1 Broadcast Rights Amid F1 Movie Success
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• Formula 1 U.S. TV Rights Heat Up as Apple and ESPN Battle for 2026 Contract

Liberty Media, the U.S.-based owners of Formula 1, are hoping this growing popularity will drive up the value of the broadcast rights, which currently bring in around $85 million a year from ESPN. Experts at Citi had predicted the next deal could hit $121 million annually, and that was before the F1 movie’s success. In 2024, Formula 1’s global media rights brought in $1.1 billion, up nearly 8% from the year before.

The U.S. is a big focus for Liberty Media, which has added races in Miami and Las Vegas to the existing Austin, Texas, Grand Prix. Viewership on ESPN has skyrocketed, doubling since 2018 to an average of 1.3 million viewers for the first 10 races of 2024, with record audiences for races like Monaco and Canada. Plus, Cadillac, backed by TWG Motorsports and General Motors, will join as the 11th F1 team in 2026, boosting the sport’s U.S. presence.

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While ESPN’s exclusive chance to renew the deal has passed, it’s still in the running. Other companies are expected to bid, setting the stage for a heated competition that could change how Americans watch Formula 1.