F1 Fans Scramble To Find Where To Watch Races In 2026

F1 Fans Scramble To Find Where To Watch Races In 2026...

Formula 1 fans across the U.S. are searching for where to watch races this season after ESPN announced it will no longer broadcast the sport starting in 2026. The sudden shift has left viewers confused about where to find coverage of the upcoming Bahrain Grand Prix this weekend.

ESPN had been the primary U.S. broadcaster for F1 since 2018, but its contract expired after the 2025 season. Industry insiders report that streaming platforms like Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV+ are now leading contenders to secure the rights. No official announcement has been made yet.

The uncertainty comes at a critical time, with the 2026 season set to introduce major regulation changes aimed at making races more competitive. Fans took to social media to express frustration, with many complaining about the lack of clarity just days before the first race.

F1's growing U.S. fanbase, fueled by Netflix's Drive to Survive series and the popularity of the Miami and Las Vegas Grands Prix, has made broadcasting rights more valuable than ever. Last year, an average of 1.2 million viewers tuned in per race on ESPN.

For now, fans are advised to check F1's official website and social media for updates. The Bahrain Grand Prix is scheduled for Sunday, March 9, with qualifying on Saturday. If no new broadcaster is confirmed by then, some races may only be available through F1 TV Pro, the sport's paid streaming service.

This marks the first time in nearly a decade that F1 coverage in the U.S. faces such uncertainty. The last major shift occurred in 2018 when ESPN took over from NBC Sports. With F1's popularity at an all-time high, the stakes for securing a reliable broadcaster have never been higher.