F1 races coming to IMAX theaters in US from 2026 through Apple TV deal
Formula 1 races will be broadcast live in IMAX theaters across the U.S. starting in 2026. The collaboration between IMAX and new rights holder Apple TV will bring at least five grands prix to the big screen, offering fans an immersive new way to watch the sport following the success of the recent F1 movie.
Starting in 2026, Formula 1 fans in the United States will be able to watch select grands prix live on the giant screens of IMAX theaters. The new viewing experience is a key part of the collaboration between IMAX and Apple TV, which takes over the U.S. broadcasting rights for the championship that year.
Why it matters:
This move represents a significant shift in how live sports, particularly F1, are consumed, moving beyond traditional TV and streaming into a premium, communal theater setting. It capitalizes on the sport's explosive growth in the American market, fueled by the 'Drive to Survive' effect and the recent blockbuster movie, aiming to deliver an unmatched level of immersion for fans.
The details:
- The Partnership: The initiative is a collaboration between IMAX and Apple TV, which secured the multi-year U.S. broadcast rights for F1 starting in 2026.
- The Races: A minimum of five grands prix during the 2026 season have been selected for the IMAX live broadcast experience. The confirmed events are:
- Miami Grand Prix (May 3)
- Monaco Grand Prix (June 7)
- British Grand Prix at Silverstone (July 5)
- Italian Grand Prix at Monza (September 6)
- United States Grand Prix at COTA in Austin (October 25)
- The Scale: The live broadcasts will be shown in at least 50 IMAX locations across the United States.
- The Inspiration: Executives from both companies cited the monumental success of the 2024 F1 movie, starring Brad Pitt, as proof that the sport's speed and spectacle translate powerfully to the IMAX format, paving the way for this live experiment.
What's next:
The 2026 season will serve as a major test case for this novel approach to sports broadcasting. If successful, it could pave the way for more races to be added to the IMAX slate in future years and potentially inspire similar premium, large-format live viewing experiences for other major sporting events. For F1, it's a bold step to deepen fan engagement in its most crucial growth market.