Apple Bids $150 Million Per Year for Formula 1 US Streaming Rights — Could This Be the End of ESPN?

Apple Wants Formula 1 in the US — And They're Willing to Pay Big

In a move that could reshape how Americans watch motorsports, Apple has reportedly submitted a bid worth at least $150 million per year for the U.S. streaming rights to Formula 1 races starting in 2026. According to Business Insider, this aggressive play signals Apple's intention to make Apple TV+ a major player in live sports broadcasting.

Why Formula 1?

Formula 1 has experienced explosive growth in the United States, largely thanks to Netflix's Drive to Survive documentary series. The sport's U.S. viewership has skyrocketed, with races in Miami, Las Vegas, and Austin drawing massive audiences. ESPN currently holds the U.S. broadcasting rights, but the contract is up for grabs, and Apple sees an opportunity.

For Apple, acquiring F1 rights would be a game-changer. Apple TV+ already has high-quality original content like Severance, Ted Lasso, and Silo, but live sports have proven to be the ultimate subscriber magnet — just ask Amazon with Thursday Night Football or Netflix with the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing event.

What This Means for F1 Fans

If Apple wins the bid, it could mean a few things: F1 races might require an Apple TV+ subscription to watch in the U.S., Apple could produce exclusive F1 content (imagine an Apple-quality version of Drive to Survive), and the sport's tech-forward nature aligns perfectly with Apple's brand identity.

On the flip side, moving F1 to a paid streaming platform could alienate casual fans who currently catch races on ESPN's free-to-air broadcasts. The debate over accessibility versus premium experience is about to get very heated.

The Bigger Picture

Apple's F1 bid is part of a broader trend: tech giants are increasingly competing with traditional media for premium content rights. If this deal goes through, it could set a precedent for other major sports properties. For now, F1 fans should keep their eyes on this one — the future of how you watch races might be changing sooner than you think.