Formula 1 has entered a major new chapter in 2026, and amongst the massive rule changes, a newly added team — the biggest change for fans is where the race weekends will air. After years on traditional TV through ESPN and ABC, the sport’s full American broadcast rights have shifted exclusively to Apple TV under a new multi-year agreement. That means every part of the race weekend — from Friday practice sessions to qualifying, sprint races, and the Grand Prix itself — will stream exclusively on Apple’s platform.

Viewers in the U.S. will also be able to watch the Austrian Grand Prix for free. The race weekend runs from June 26–28, and Apple TV has full coverage from practice sessions to the checkered flag, with no strings attached.

How to watch F1 live in 2026

• When: March to December
• Stream: Watch with a 7-day free trial of Apple TV
• From anywhere: Watch with a subscription to a VPN.

Everything you need to know about watching F1 in 2026

How to watch Formula 1 on Apple TV

For longtime fans used to flipping through cable channels for race action, the move solely to streaming might sound like a big adjustment. But the good news is that it’s actually easier than ever to jump in and start watching. Apple TV offers a seven-day free trial for new subscribers, which gives you full access to the service — including every live Formula 1 session during that window. If you start the trial around a race weekend, you can watch practice, qualifying, and the race itself free without paying anything up front to get started.

Once your trial ends, Apple TV costs $12.99 per month, and that subscription gives you access to the entire F1 season. All races stream live and on demand, with full replays, highlights, and “Race in 30” recaps if you miss the action. The broadcasts also include English and Spanish commentary, up to 30 additional live feeds, such as onboard cameras and driver telemetry, and a multiview feature that lets you watch up to 4 live feeds at once for a more immersive race-day setup.

Apple is also leaning heavily into the viewing experience itself. Races will stream in 4K with Dolby Vision and 5.1 surround sound — the first time Formula 1 has been widely available in that format in the U.S. Fans can switch between camera angles, follow real-time data, and replay key moments on demand, making it easier to dive deeper into the strategy and drama behind every lap.

Beyond the live racing, the platform is also becoming a hub for Formula 1 content. Fans can stream the latest season of “Formula 1: Drive to Survive,” along with curated programming that breaks down rule changes, new cars, team storylines, and highlights from the previous season. It’s a great way to catch up on the sport before the next race weekend begins.

What is the 2026 F1 schedule

All in with Apple

Apple’s broader ecosystem is also getting involved. The Apple Sports app will feature real-time leaderboards and live activities on the Lock Screen and Apple Watch, while Apple Maps adds detailed circuit maps and navigation for race venues. Meanwhile, Apple Music will stream live race audio and driver-curated playlists, and Apple News and Apple Podcasts will highlight coverage and shows like “F1 Nation” and “F1 Beyond the Grid.”

While Apple TV is now the primary home for Formula 1 in the U.S., there are a few additional viewing options sprinkled throughout the season. Tubi will carry free alternate broadcasts for select races featuring F1-focused creators, and Yahoo Sports will stream some practice and qualifying sessions. Select races will also appear in IMAX theaters nationwide, while Spanish-language coverage of one race will simulcast on Univision.

Ultimately, if you want to watch Formula 1 in the U.S. in 2026, Apple TV is where the action lives. The seven-day free trial makes it easy to check out a race weekend, and once you’re in, you’ll have access to every session, every camera angle, and every dramatic moment of the championship fight.

Can you watch F1 on Netflix in 2026?

While Netflix won’t have as much coverage as Apple TV for F1 in 2026, you can cure some of your F1 fever with coverage of the Canadian Grand Prix as well as the returning hit series, “Formula 1: Drive to Survive,” which is also available via Apple TV

Can you watch F1 on ESPN in 2026?

Unlike the past few years, Formula 1 no longer lives on ESPN networks, including ABC, ESPN2, and ESPNEWS. Instead, you can only watch the action through a subscription to Apple TV.

The good thing is that it’s now all in one place each and every weekend, but the bad news is that for many who already subscribe to a service that includes ESPN, you’ll now have to pay for another streaming service for the duration of the Formula 1 season.

How to subscribe to F1 TV in 2026

This year, rather than having to pay separately for an F1 TV subscription, Apple TV subscribers get F1 TV Premium included at no extra cost. To activate your subscription, simply head to the F1 TV subscription page and choose activate next to the Apple TV logo. From there, you can either sign into your existing F1 account or register a new one, then you’re off to the races.

Can you watch F1 for free in 2026

If you want to check out Formula 1 without paying right away in 2026, there’s an easy way to do it. Apple TV — the exclusive U.S. streaming home for Formula 1 under a five-year deal — offers a seven-day free trial for new subscribers. That gives you a full week to watch everything from practice and qualifying to sprint races and the Grand Prix itself. In other words, if you time your trial around a race weekend, you can experience the full F1 schedule without spending anything upfront.

If you enjoy the coverage, you can simply keep your subscription going after the trial ends and continue watching every session throughout the season. And if it’s not for you, cancel before the 7-day period ends, and you won’t be charged. It’s an easy way to test the platform and see how the new streaming-first F1 experience works.

Since Apple TV holds exclusive streaming rights in the U.S. for the 2026 season, no other services are carrying the races. So while the free trial is a great way to catch a race weekend or try the service, watching the entire 24-race championship — from the opening round in March through the finale in December — requires an active Apple TV subscription.

How to watch F1 live from anywhere

If you’ll be away from home and can’t watch Formula 1 as you normally would on race weekend, you can still catch all of the action, no matter where you are, with a VPN. A VPN can be used on your phone, tablet, or computer and make you appear to be back home, even when you’re not, ensuring you feel at home no matter where you are. A VPN is a safe and secure way to stay protected online while streaming your favorite sports, movies, and shows on the go. Remember that you will still need to be subscribed to (Apple TV](apple-tv-plus) to stream the action with a VPN.

SurfShark is one of the best providers around at one of the best prices. Currently, you can get SurfShark’s protection for as little as $2.19 per month. All plans include a secure VPN, ad blocker, and cookie pop-up blocker, so you will be covered from every angle. And since SurfShark’s protection is available on unlimited devices, you won’t have to pick and choose which ones to prioritize. Simply sign up, install the software on your device of choice, and start streaming just as you would back home. It couldn’t be easier!

7-Day Trial

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Apple TV

Apple TV (formerly known as Apple TV+) is a subscription video streaming service for $14.99 per month, offering a growing slate of original series, films, documentaries, and specials. Unlike other platforms that combine licensed titles with originals, Apple TV is built entirely around exclusive programming, making it the home of critically acclaimed hits such as “Ted Lasso,” “Severance,” “The Morning Show,” and “Silo.” Its lineup continues to expand with award-winning dramas, comedies, family-friendly shows, and blockbuster original films like “CODA,” which won the Academy Award for Best Picture.

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In October 2025, Apple TV agreed to a deal with Formula 1 to exclusively broadcast all Formula 1 races starting with the 2026 season.

Apple TV also features coverage of all regular-season matches for Major League Soccer (MLS) at no additional cost.

On August 28th, 2026, the price of Apple TV was increased from $12.99 per month to $14.99 per month, the second increase in as many years.

The service is available worldwide through the Apple TV app, which is built into Apple devices and supported on most smart TVs, streaming players like Roku and Fire TV, game consoles, and web browsers. Subscribers can watch on demand, download episodes and movies for offline viewing, and stream in 4K with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, where available. Apple TV also offers family sharing, allowing up to six people to use one subscription at no extra cost.

With a competitive monthly price and bundles available through Apple One — which combines Apple TV with Apple Music, Apple Arcade, iCloud storage, and more — the service continues to grow as a key part of Apple’s ecosystem. Apple TV delivers one of the strongest collections of exclusive content in the streaming space for viewers seeking prestige originals, cinematic storytelling, and seamless access across devices.

7-Day Trial

$14.99+ / month

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