How To Watch F1 Without Cable (2026)

To watch Formula 1 without cable in 2026: 1. Subscribe to Apple TV ($12.99 per month or $99 per year) — it is the exclusive US home of every F1 session this season. 2. Open the Apple TV app on your smart TV, Roku, Fire TV, Google TV, game console, or phone — no Apple hardware required — or watch on the web at tv.apple.com. 3. Link your Apple Account at f1.com/apple to unlock F1 TV Premium at no extra cost. ESPN no longer carries F1, so this is the first season where cutting the cord costs American F1 fans absolutely nothing.

F1 Moved From ESPN To Apple TV In 2026

After nearly two decades split between SPEED, NBC, and ESPN, US broadcast rights moved to Apple under a five-year deal starting with the 2026 season. ESPN's contract ended after 2025, and with it went the Sky Sports commentary feed American fans knew from cable. Apple TV now streams every session of every Grand Prix weekend live — all practice sessions, qualifying, Sprint sessions, and the races themselves — with races produced in 4K with Dolby Vision and 5.1 surround sound. There is no cable option anymore: F1 in the US is streaming-only.

What You Get With An Apple TV Subscription

An Apple TV subscription costs $12.99 per month or $99 per year (the annual plan saves you about 36%). For F1 fans that includes:

Every session live — practice, qualifying, Sprints, and all Grands Prix — plus full replays and highlights if you miss the live broadcast.
Your choice of broadcast: English and Spanish commentary, with access to both the F1 TV and Sky Sports broadcast feeds.
Onboard cameras for every driver, plus extra feeds including Data, Driver Tracker, and Podium feeds that follow the top three runners.
Multiview on Apple TV 4K, iPad, and Vision Pro — watch up to four feeds at once.
Family Sharing with up to five other family members at no extra cost.
The rest of the Apple TV catalog — its original series and films — when the racing is over.

F1 TV Premium Is Included Free

Here is the wrinkle hardcore fans will love: Apple TV subscribers in the US get full access to F1 TV Premium at no additional cost. That is the sport's own streaming product — live onboards for all 22 cars, team radio, live timing and telemetry — which used to be a separate paid subscription. Just link your Apple Account at f1.com/apple and sign in to the F1 TV app with it.

How To Watch F1 Free In 2026

Not ready to subscribe? The free options actually expanded this season:

Free practice sessions: every practice session streams free in the Apple TV app — no subscription required.
Free race weekends: a select number of full race weekends are free in the Apple TV app during the season, some with a kids-focused broadcast option.
Yahoo Sports: live practice and qualifying sessions stream free on Yahoo's platform.
Tubi altcasts: the free streamer Tubi carries alternative live broadcasts of multiple races with creator-led commentary.
Apple Music radio: free live audio of every race — handy for those early-morning European rounds.

Supported Devices (You Don't Need Apple Hardware)

Despite the name, the Apple TV app runs on far more than Apple devices: smart TVs from all the major brands, Roku, Fire TV, Google TV streamers, Xbox, PlayStation, Android phones and tablets, iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Vision Pro, and any web browser at tv.apple.com. If you are setting it up on a Roku for the first time, our guide to watching Apple TV on Roku covers the install and sign-in steps.

When Are The 2026 Races On?

The 22-race calendar spans the globe, so start times swing wildly for US viewers. European rounds (Monaco, Silverstone, Monza) start mid-morning Eastern. Races in the Americas — Miami, Montreal, Austin, Mexico City, São Paulo — run in comfortable afternoon slots. The Las Vegas Grand Prix is the late-night outlier at 11 PM Eastern on a Saturday, and Asia-Pacific rounds like Australia and Japan mean overnight or very early morning viewing. Every session also gets a full replay, so a spoiler-free morning-after watch is always an option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is F1 on ESPN or cable at all in 2026?

No. ESPN's rights expired after the 2025 season, and Apple's deal is exclusive. No US cable or satellite channel carries F1 sessions this year.

Do I need to buy an Apple TV box?

No. The Apple TV subscription is an app-based service — a Roku, Fire TV stick, smart TV, console, or web browser works fine.

Can I still use the F1 TV app I already had?

Yes — and it is now effectively free with your Apple TV subscription. Link your Apple Account at f1.com/apple and F1 TV Premium unlocks at no additional charge.

How do I cancel when the season ends?

Apple subscriptions cancel in a couple of taps — our guide to canceling Apple TV shows every method. Monthly subscribers can drop it in the off-season and resubscribe in March.

What other sports can I stream without cable?

We keep cord-cutting guides for every major league — start with how to watch the NBA without cable and how to watch the Premier League without cable.