Apple TV Offers Free Austrian Grand Prix Stream for U.S. Viewers
NXTbets Pro | Published On: June 22, 2026
Apple TV free access
Apple and Formula 1 are opening this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix to U.S. viewers on Apple TV without a paid subscription, giving fans with an Apple ID a free way to follow the full event from practice through qualifying and the race. The promotion marks Apple TV’s first free-streaming selection for a Formula 1 event and puts the spotlight on a marquee stop on the schedule at the Red Bull Ring. The race is set for 6 a.m. PT and 9 a.m. ET on Sunday.
The move gives Apple a clear showcase for its growing Formula 1 package in the United States. Fans can download Apple TV, sign in with an Apple ID and watch the entire weekend at no cost. Apple and Formula 1 are using the offer to reach a wider audience, and the timing gives the sport another chance to introduce new viewers to one of its most recognizable races. With the Austrian Grand Prix on the calendar, the platform gets a live sports event that extends across the full weekend and creates an easy entry point for casual fans who want to sample Formula 1 without a subscription commitment.
Formula 1 push
The free window fits into a broader push by Apple and Formula 1 to build the sport’s American audience. Apple recently took over U.S. Formula 1 streaming rights this season, and Formula 1 moved entirely away from linear television in the same effort to expand its reach. The rights deal was reported to be worth $150 million per year, a sign of how much both sides are investing in the U.S. market. Apple has backed that push with visible marketing, including Times Square billboards, IMAX theater promotions and alt-casts on Tubi. It also tested wider distribution with a shared Canadian Grand Prix telecast alongside Netflix, another move aimed at putting Formula 1 in front of more viewers. The Austrian Grand Prix free stream is the latest step in that strategy, and it gives Apple a high-profile live event to promote the package on a bigger stage.
Viewership signs
Apple says Formula 1 viewership so far is comparable to or better than last season’s ESPN numbers, though the company has not released public figures. ESPN averaged a record 1.32 million viewers for Formula 1 last season, which gives Apple a high benchmark as it settles into its new role. McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown said at the Indy 500 that he had heard viewership was up 25% to 30% and called the broadcast product “awesome,” adding that it appears likely to keep improving. That combination of internal confidence and outside optimism gives Apple a strong early narrative around its Formula 1 coverage, even without official audience data. The Austrian Grand Prix free stream adds another test case for the platform, with Apple using a major race weekend to show how its streaming setup can reach fans who might not yet be part of the paid audience.
