
๐๏ธF1 Live Stream 2026: 15+ Best Free & Paid Platforms to Watch Every Race
Updated July 2026
๐ Intro: 2026 Is The Biggest F1 Broadcast Overhaul In Years!
If youโve ever wasted hours hunting broken pirate streams, gotten confused by conflicting channel lists, or missed crucial practice sessions thanks to messy geo-blocking, this definitive global watch guide was made for you!
The 2026 Formula 1 season ushers in some of the most massive broadcast shakeups we have seen in a decade:
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๐ Apple TV+ secures an exclusive five-year US deal, replacing ESPN.
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๐บ ESPN locks down a multi-year rights extension across Latin America & the Caribbean through 2028.
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โก F1 TV gets fully upgraded with 4K HDR and new regional language commentary.
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๐ช๐บ Free-to-Air (FTA) coverage is reshuffled across Europe.
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๐ Unified Streaming Giants dominate Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
Whether you live in the US, UK, Europe, Southeast Asia, Latin America, Australia, or are traveling internationally, this complete fan breakdown covers every official linear TV channel, legal streaming platform, zero-cost free viewing option, F1 TV tier comparison, and travel streaming hack.
Every single data point has been cross-referenced against official Formula 1 corporate press releases and FOMโs official broadcaster directories to eliminate outdated misinformation!
๐บ๏ธ Official Verified Source Links
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โ๏ธ ESPN Latin America & Caribbean Rights Extension Press Release
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๐๏ธ 2026 F1 TV New Features & Presenter Lineup Announcement
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๐ F1 TV Homepage
๐ Table of Contents
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F1 TV 2026 Complete Breakdown: Tiers, New Features, Regional Language Upgrades & Blocked Markets
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United States: Apple TV Exclusive F1 Coverage (F1 TV Premium Bundled!)
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Full European Regional Guide: Free-To-Air TV + Paid Live Streaming Platforms
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UK & Ireland: Sky Sports F1 Full Live Coverage + Channel 4 Free Highlights
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Latin America & Caribbean: ESPN Multi-Year Rights Deal Through 2028
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All Legal Free F1 Live Viewing Options Worldwide (No Subscription Required)
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Global Official F1 Radio Audio Streams (Perfect For Commutes)
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Travel Tips: How To Legally Stream F1 Live Abroad Without Geo-Block Headaches
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Final Fan Takeaway: Skip Pirate Streams โ Stick To Legal Verified Platforms
1. All Major 2026 F1 Broadcast Official Announcements Recap ๐ข

Four landmark FOM press releases define how fans stream and watch every 2026 Grand Prix weekend, support series, and behind-the-scenes content this season:
๐ฃ Announcement 1: ESPN Extends Latin America & Caribbean Rights Until End Of 2028
Released February 24, 2026, this three-year renewal covers 18 Latin American nations plus all Caribbean islands, excluding Brazil and Mexico, which operate separate domestic broadcast contracts.
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Full coverage included: All FP1/FP2/FP3, Sprint Shootouts, Sprint Races, Qualifying, Grand Prix, driver interviews, and expert studio analysis.
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All feeder series simulcast: F2, F3, F1 ACADEMYโข, and the Porsche Supercup.
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Multi-platform access: ESPN linear TV channels, Disney+ pan-regional OTT stream, ESPN Premium (Chile exclusive), and Fox Sports networks (Argentina).
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Regional fan growth context: Over 150 million F1 fans across LATAM/Caribbean (a 5% increase vs 2024); 45% of whom are female and 43% under 35. Argentinaโs fanbase has hit 17.2 million thanks to the rise of local star Franco Colapinto at Alpine, making F1 Argentinaโs most popular global sports league, outranking NFL and NBA viewership.
๐ฃ Announcement 2: Apple TV Becomes Exclusive US F1 Broadcaster (2026โ2030)
ESPNโs decade-long US F1 broadcast run has officially ended. Apple secured a $750 million total five-year deal, bringing all live F1 content exclusively to Apple TV+ in the United States.
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Critical perk: Full F1 TV Premium functionality (multiview, onboard cameras, live telemetry, team radio) is pre-bundled with every Apple TV+ subscription at zero extra monthly fees.
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Standalone F1 TV Pro/Premium subscriptions have been permanently discontinued for US residents.
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All Friday Free Practice sessions stream free to anyone with a basic Apple IDโno Apple TV+ membership required!
๐ฃ Announcement 3: F1 TV Massive Platform Upgrades & Global Market Expansion
F1โs native streaming platform won the 2025 SportsPro Media "Platform Of The Year" and has rolled out game-changing upgrades for the 2026 regulation era:
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Dedicated Latin American Spanish live race commentary feed for LATAM audiences.
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Fully localized Japanese user interface + native Japanese-language live commentary.
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First-time launch of F1 TV Pro and F1 TV Premium in South Korea.
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All race weekend sessions stream in crystal-clear 4K Ultra HD/HDR for Premium tier subscribers.
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Simultaneous streaming support for up to six devices on one single account.
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Star-studded new broadcast team, including seven-time F1 race winner Juan Pablo Montoya joining the paddock punditry alongside returning favorites David Coulthard, Jolyon Palmer, and Laura Winter.
๐ฃ Announcement 4: Pan-Regional Streaming Partnerships Locked Long-Term
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beIN SPORTS: Exclusive Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, MENA, and Turkey rights through 2030/2033.
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Viaplay: Unified Nordic & Baltic streaming home through 2029.
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Sky Sports UK: Exclusive full live UK/Ireland rights locked until 2034.
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SuperSport: Primary Sub-Saharan Africa broadcast partner for all race weekends.
2. F1 TV 2026 Complete Breakdown: Tiers, New Features, Regional Language Upgrades & Blocked Markets ๐ก

F1 TV is Formula 1โs official direct-to-consumer streaming platform. It is available globally in two distinct subscription tiers, with strict geographic live-stream block rules enforced to protect regional exclusive broadcast partners.
๐ฅ Tier 1: F1 TV Access (Archive, Timing & Highlights Only โ No Live Race Video)
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Global Standard Pricing: $2.99 monthly / $29.99 annually
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Core features:
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Real-time live lap timing, sector telemetry, tyre wear tracking, and live driver position maps.
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Curated highlight clips of team radio from every Grand Prix weekend.
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Delayed full race replays, an archive library of 650+ historic F1 races, exclusive documentaries, and technical deep-dive series.
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Note: No live FP, Sprint, Qualifying, or Grand Prix video streams are included.
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Supported devices: Web browsers, iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Chromecast, and all major modern smart TV brands (LG, Samsung, Sony).
๐ฅ Tier 2: F1 TV Premium / F1 TV Pro (Full Live Weekend Streaming โ Where Eligible)
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2026 Exclusive New Upgrades Confirmed In Official Press Release:
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Latin American Spanish dedicated live commentary feed.
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Fully localized Japanese UI + native Japanese race commentary.
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First-time F1 TV Pro/Premium launch in South Korea.
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Customizable multi-view split-screen grids with unlimited onboard driver camera selection.
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4K UHD/HDR live streams for all F1, F2, F3, F1 ACADEMY, and Porsche Supercup sessions.
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Simultaneous streaming across up to six separate devices per single account.
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๐ซ Official Geographic Live Streaming Lock Rules
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Markets where live F1 TV Premium/Pro streaming is fully BLOCKED (only F1 TV Access available):
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USA, United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Germany, Spain & Andorra, Australia, New Zealand, all MENA territories, and all beIN SPORTS Southeast Asian countries.
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Markets where live F1 TV Premium/Pro streaming is fully AVAILABLE:
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Mainland China, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Maldives, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, all of Eastern Europe, Central Asia, Pacific island nations, and South Korea (new 2026 launch).
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๐บ๐ธ US Unique Bundle Exception:
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American viewers cannot purchase standalone F1 TV Premium subscriptions. All Premium multi-cam, telemetry, and team radio tools are permanently included within every Apple TV+ membership at no additional cost, per F1โs official US partnership agreement.
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๐๏ธ 2026 F1 TV Official Presenter & Commentary Roster
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Returning Core Favorites: Laura Winter, James Hinchcliffe, Lawrence Barretto, Chris Medland, Alice Powell, Ariana Bravo, lead commentator Alex Jacques, ex-F1 driver Jolyon Palmer, strategy expert Ruth Buscombe, David Coulthard, Davide Valsecchi, Alex Brundle, and technical analyst Sam Collins.
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New 2026 Additions: Seven-time Grand Prix winner Juan Pablo Montoya and presenter Betty Glover.
The crew delivers session-by-session trackside breakdowns, simplified explanations of the all-new 2026 powertrain/aerodynamic regulations, and deep strategy analysis for casual and hardcore motorsport fans alike.
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๐ US Subscription Page
3. United States: Apple TV Exclusive F1 Coverage (F1 TV Premium Bundled!) ๐บ๐ธ

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Official Source: March 4, 2026 F1 TV press release + Apple corporate F1 partnership materials
๐ณ Core Subscription & Streaming Details
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Apple TV+ pricing: $12.99 monthly / $99 annual plan; includes a 7-day free trial for all new subscribers via the Apple TV+ Official Site.
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Zero add-on fees: The complete F1 TV Premium suite is automatically bundled with every Apple TV+ membership. This includes custom multiview grids, 200+ onboard cockpit camera feeds, real-time live telemetry, unfiltered team radio, and full live support series (F2/F3/F1 Academy/Porsche Supercup).
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Free non-subscriber perk: Every Friday Free Practice session streams to any user with a free Apple IDโno Apple TV+ login or payment information required!
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Limited seasonal promotional free live windows for flagship races (Miami Grand Prix, Las Vegas Grand Prix, Austrian Grand Prix) are open to all Apple ID holders without a subscription.
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Stream quality: Native 4K Dolby Vision HDR with 5.1 surround sound, real-time live leaderboard overlays, and multi-angle driver feed selection.
๐ What US Fans Lose In The 2026 Broadcast Shift
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ESPN and ESPN Deportes linear cable F1 broadcasts are fully discontinued for the entire 2026โ2030 rights cycle.
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Separate standalone F1 TV Premium/Pro subscriptions have been removed entirely from the US market; independent F1 TV purchases are no longer permitted.
๐ฑ Supported Streaming Devices For Apple TV F1 Content
Apple TV 4K hardware, iPhone, iPad, Mac web browsers (tv.apple.com), Roku, Amazon Fire TV, compatible LG/Samsung/Sony smart TVs, PlayStation & Xbox gaming consoles, and Prime Video or Roku Channel Apple TV+ add-on bundles.
๐ฌ Bonus Apple Original F1 Content
All seasons of the hit documentary series Drive to Survive, exclusive behind-the-paddock feature-length films, and special F1 athlete interview specials live alongside live race weekend coverage on the Apple TV platform.
4. Full European Regional Guide: Free-To-Air TV + Paid Live Streaming Platforms ๐ช๐บ

๐บ๏ธ Western Europe
๐ฆ๐น Austria
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Free-To-Air (FTA): ORF (rights valid through 2026) and Servus TV (rights through 2029)โsharing 12 full live race weekends each in HD 1080i.
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Paid Streaming/TV: Sky Austriaโexclusive full UHD live coverage for every Grand Prix until 2027.
๐ฉ๐ช Germany
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FTA RTL Television: 7 selected live race weekends (China, Emilia-Romagna, Spain, Canada, Belgium, Netherlands, Las Vegas); all Sprint and Qualifying sessions air live; contract fully extended for the 2026 season via RTL+.
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Paid Sky Deutschland: Exclusive full UHD live coverage for every single Grand Prix weekend through 2027 on Sky Deutschland.
๐ซ๐ท France
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Sole national paid broadcaster: Canal+โall sessions live in UHD (rights locked until 2029); no nationwide full-season free-to-air linear television coverage.
๐ช๐ธ ๐ฆ๐ฉ Spain & Andorra
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Exclusive paid streaming: DAZN Spainโfull live weekend HD feed (base rights active through 2026).
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Limited FTA free coverage: Mediaset Espaรฑa only airs the Spanish Catalan Grand Prix full weekend live and free.
๐ง๐ช Belgium
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FTA RTBF Tipik: Live Belgian Grand Prix, all three free practice sessions, and weekly condensed race highlight packages for all other global rounds on RTBF Auvio.
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Paid Play Sports: Full HD full-season live coverage, select Qualifying sessions simulcast on Play6 (rights valid until 2027) on Play Sports.
๐ฑ๐บ Luxembourg
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FTA RTL Tรฉlรฉ Lรซtzebuerg: Complete live HD race weekends (rights through 2026) on RTL Luxembourg.
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Paid streaming option: Sky Deutschland simulcasts the UHD full race session feed.
๐ณ๐ฑ Netherlands
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Exclusive paid streaming platform: Viaplay Netherlandsโevery single track session live in HD.
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Limited FTA NOS free coverage: Live Dutch Grand Prix only, plus weekly condensed highlight reels for all remaining races on NOS.
๐ต๐น Portugal
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DAZN exclusive paid streaming: All three Free Practice sessions unlock for free viewing on DAZN Portugal's website/mobile app without a paid subscription. Qualifying and Grand Prix races require an active DAZN membership (rights until 2027).
๐บ๏ธ Northern Europe (Nordic Block: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania)
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Unified pan-regional paid streaming provider: Viaplay
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Full live HD/UHD race weekend coverage with native local-language commentary for each territory.
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Multi-year broadcast rights extended through 2029 across all Nordic and Baltic nations.
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Free ad-supported Viafree tier: One-hour condensed race highlight packages available post-session at zero cost.
๐บ๏ธ Central & Eastern Europe
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๐จ๐ฟ ๐ธ๐ฐ Czech Republic & Slovakia: Nova Sport unified pay network full HD live race weekend coverage (under a multi-year deal from 2024).
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๐ต๐ฑ Poland: Eleven Sports Poland is the primary paid broadcaster; six selected Grands Prix are simulcast free-to-air on the Super Polsat linear television channel.
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๐ท๐ด Romania: Antena 1 free linear TV airs live Qualifying and Grand Prix races; all Free Practice sessions are exclusive to the paid AntenaPLAY streaming platform (rights through 2026).
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๐ญ๐บ Hungary: M4 Sport (MTVA Sports Channel) features full free-to-air 1080i HD live race weekends (rights until 2027).
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๐ง๐ฆ ๐ท๐ธ ๐ฒ๐ช ๐ฝ๐ฐ ๐ฒ๐ฐ Balkan Nations: Arena Sport is the exclusive home for full live HD coverage through 2028.
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๐บ๐ฆ ๐ฌ๐ช ๐ฒ๐ฉ ๐ Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, & Central Asia: Setanta Sports paid feed; only Qualifying and Grand Prix races are broadcast (no linear Free Practice coverage).
๐บ๏ธ Southern Europe
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๐ฎ๐น ๐ธ๐ฒ ๐ป๐ฆ Italy, San Marino, & Vatican City: Sky Italia holds exclusive UHD multi-angle full race weekend coverage until 2032. FTA TV8 Italy features limited live broadcasts only for the Emilia-Romagna GP, Italian GP, and all Sprint sessions.
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๐จ๐พ Cyprus: OmegaTV FTA live Qualifying + Grand Prix races (no linear Free Practice airings).
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๐ฌ๐ท Greece: ANT1 free linear channel airs the Sprint and Grand Prix live; all practice/qualifying streaming is locked behind the paid ANT1+ OTT platform (rights through 2028).
5. UK & Ireland: Sky Sports F1 Full Live Coverage + Channel 4 Free Highlights ๐ฌ๐ง ๐ฎ๐ช
๐ฌ๐ง United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)
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Premium Paid Full Live Coverage: Sky Sports F1
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Every FP1/FP2/FP3, Sprint Shootout, Sprint Race, Qualifying, and Grand Prix live in native 4K HDR.
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No long-term satellite contract alternative: NOW Sports offers monthly or day passes (ยฃ14.99/day) for casual fans without Sky TV hardware.
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Exclusive long-term live broadcast rights are locked through 2034, including original pre/post-race studio analysis, exclusive driver paddock interviews, and behind-the-scenes pit lane content.
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Free-To-Air Channel 4:
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Complete live free broadcast of the full British Grand Prix weekend (all three free practices, Sprint, Qualifying, and the main Grand Prix race) on Channel 4.
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Extended 60-minute race highlight packages for every other Grand Prix, broadcast Sunday/Monday evenings after each race round.
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Free Radio Audio Stream:
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BBC Radio 5 Live / BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra provides free nationwide live race weekend commentary via the BBC Sounds mobile app (radio broadcast rights valid through the end of 2027).
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๐ฎ๐ช Republic of Ireland
Identical broadcast framework to the United Kingdom: Sky Sports / NOW Sports full paid live streaming coverage, Channel 4 UK simulcast of the British Grand Prix free live, plus weekly race highlight shows.
6. Asia Pacific, MENA & Africa Official Broadcaster Roundup ๐
๐ Southeast Asia & Hong Kong (beIN SPORTS Exclusive Zone โ Rights Until 2030)
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Covered territories: Cambodia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Brunei, Philippines, Singapore, and Timor-Leste.
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beIN SPORTS Connect OTT streaming and beIN linear TV carry the full Sky Sports F1 international 1080i HD feed for every race weekend.
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๐ธ๐ฌ Singapore exclusive free bonus: Mediacorp Channel 5 FTA live Singapore Grand Prix all sessions, with the full replay library hosted on the MeWATCH streaming service.
๐จ๐ณ Mainland China
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Official verified broadcasters: Shanghai TV, Guangdong Television Channel, and Tencent Sports.
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Local linear free channels air selected regional Qualifying and Grand Prix sessions only within Shanghai and Guangdong.
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Tencent Sports full-season streaming: All practice, Sprint, Qualifying, and Grand Prix live; partial free access for practice sessions, with full weekend packages locked behind their SVIP paywall on Tencent Sports.
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Critical clarification: CCTV-5 / CCTV-5+ hold no nationwide full-season linear broadcast rights; only occasional one-off Chinese Grand Prix highlight airings, not regular race weekend coverage.
๐น๐ผ Chinese Taipei (Taiwan)
Videoland and ELTA paid television networks broadcast Qualifying and Grand Prix races live (no linear Free Practice airings). ELTA OTT streams the commercial-free Sky Sports F1 feed, and race replays are available for 48 hours post-session via Chunghwa Telecom Hami Video (rights until 2029).
๐ฏ๐ต Japan
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Free linear Fuji TV: Only weekly condensed race highlight packages (no live weekend track sessions) via Fuji TV.
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Full live paid coverage: DAZN Japan + Fuji TV Next linear pay channel offer complete HD race weekends (multi-year rights through 2030).
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2026 F1 TV upgrade note: Dedicated Japanese-language commentary and a fully localized F1 TV user interface are now available for streaming fans on the F1 TV Subscription Page.
๐ฐ๐ท South Korea
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2026 official new market launch: Coupang Play exclusive paid streaming platform, plus F1 TV Pro / F1 TV Premium are now live in South Korea for the first time this season!
๐ฆ๐บ Australia
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Free FTA Network 10 / 10Play streaming: Australian Grand Prix full weekend live only on 10Play.
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Paid Fox Sports, Foxtel, & Kayo Sports: Full 4K UHD live coverage for every Grand Prix (multi-year broadcast rights extended past 2026) via Kayo Sports or Foxtel.
๐ณ๐ฟ New Zealand
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Paid Sky NZ linear + Sky Sport Now streaming full HD live race weekends.
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Limited free FTA Sky Open: Weekly one-hour Monday race highlight block + live Australian Grand Prix on Sky Open.
๐ต๐ณ Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea
TVWAN Sports (Digicel) holds the exclusive paid linear/streaming feed for all Grand Prix weekends.
๐ฎ๐ณ ๐ง๐ฉ ๐ณ๐ต India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Maldives, Pakistan, & Sri Lanka
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India primary broadcaster: FanCode India (TATA Play FanCode Sports) full live race weekends through 2028.
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Bangladesh, Nepal, Maldives, Pakistan, Sri Lanka: No local linear TV partners; F1 TV Pro is the sole official live streaming option.
๐ MENA (Middle East & North Africa)
beIN SPORTS is the pan-regional exclusive paid broadcaster covering all race weekend sessions, with Arabic local commentary streams available alongside the global English feed (rights locked through 2033).
๐ Sub-Saharan Africa
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Primary paid feed: SuperSport (DStv Stream OTT) full Sky Sports F1 HD coverage.
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Secondary French-language paid alternative: Canal+ Sport for francophone African territories via Canal+ Africa.
โ๏ธ Global In-Flight & Cruise Exclusive Feed
Sport 24 / Sport 24 Extra is the dedicated onboard linear channel for all commercial aircraft and cruise passenger entertainment systems, condensing live race weekend broadcasts for global travelers.
๐ป๐ณ Vietnam
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Official primary broadcaster: TV360 paid streaming linear platform with full HD live race weekends (rights until 2028); K+ (VSTV) secondary regional distribution partner.
๐ฒ๐ฒ Myanmar
Canal+ Myanmar paid network full HD live race weekend feed.
7. Latin America & Caribbean: ESPN Multi-Year Rights Deal Through 2028 ๐
Updated exclusively with official February 24, 2026 F1 corporate press release details
โ๏ธ Core ESPN Deal Contract Terms
Formula 1 renewed ESPN's broadcast rights for 18 Latin American nations plus all Caribbean islands, excluding Brazil and Mexico, with the extended contract running to the end of the 2028 season.
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Full race weekend coverage: FP1/FP2/FP3, Sprint Shootouts, Sprint Races, Qualifying, Grand Prix, driver interviews, and expert studio analysis.
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All support series (F2, F3, F1 ACADEMY, Porsche Supercup): Simulcast across ESPN linear channels and the Disney+ regional OTT streaming platform.
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Regional distribution partners: ESPN Premium (Chile exclusive tier) and Fox Sports Argentina.
๐บ๏ธ Territory Split Breakdown
๐ Latin America (Excluding Brazil & Mexico)
Single unified ESPN Latam paid broadcaster for every Grand Prix live HD stream, with local Spanish commentary options available. Covered nations: Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Panama, Costa Rica, Venezuela, and Suriname.
๐๏ธ All Caribbean Island Territories
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Critical 2026 correction: Rush Sports expired all F1 broadcast rights after the 2025 season and no longer carries live races. ESPN Latam is the sole official pan-Caribbean paid broadcaster for the 2026โ2028 rights cycle.
๐ง๐ท Brazil (Separate Independent Domestic Deal)
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Free linear TV Globo: Up to 15 live Grand Prix main races nationwide via TV Globo.
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Paid sportv linear + Globoplay OTT: Every practice, Sprint, Qualifying, and Grand Prix live in native 4K UHD (rights until 2028) on Globoplay.
๐ฒ๐ฝ Mexico (Separate Independent Domestic Deal)
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Paid broadcasters Sky Sports, Izzi, and TUDN carry the full global race weekend HD live through 2028 on Izzi Go.
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Limited free FTA Canal 5: Live Mexico City Grand Prix full weekend only on Canal 5.
8. All Legal Free F1 Live Viewing Options Worldwide (No Subscription Required) ๐
Here are all the zero-cost legitimate broadcast streams organized by territory:
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๐ฆ๐น Austria: ORF, Servus TV (12 full live race weekends HD FTA).
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๐ฑ๐บ Luxembourg: RTL Tรฉlรฉ Lรซtzebuerg full live race weekends FTA.
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๐จ๐ญ Switzerland: SRF, RSI, RTS public regional channels live Qualifying + Grand Prix free via SRG SSR.
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๐ง๐ช Belgium: RTBF Tipik provides the Belgian Grand Prix and all Free Practice sessions free.
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๐ฌ๐ง UK: Channel 4 offers the full live British Grand Prix weekend, plus weekly condensed race highlights for all other rounds.
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๐ฆ๐บ Australia: Network 10 / 10Play provides the Australian Grand Prix full weekend free and live.
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๐จ๐ฆ Canada: CTV/Noovo provides the live Canadian Grand Prix main race free.
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๐ธ๐ฌ Singapore: Mediacorp Channel 5 provides the full Singapore Grand Prix weekend free and live.
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๐ฒ๐ฝ Mexico: Canal 5 provides the live Mexico City Grand Prix weekend free.
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๐บ๐ธ United States: Apple TV App lets any user watch all Friday Free Practice sessions free (requires a free Apple ID; no Apple TV+ subscription needed).
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๐ฅ Global: Official F1 YouTube Channel features free condensed highlight clips for every FP, Sprint, Qualifying, and Grand Prix; no login required.
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๐ฑ Global: Official Formula One Mobile App provides free live BBC radio commentary worldwide (audio-only, no video stream).
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๐ญ๐บ Hungary: M4 Sport has the full race weekend HD free-to-air live broadcast.
โ ๏ธ Important caveat: No single free broadcaster airs the complete 24-race 2026 calendar. Free linear networks almost exclusively air their domestic home Grand Prix plus a small subset of selected international rounds. Full unbroken season coverage requires a regional paid streaming subscription or an eligible F1 TV Premium/Pro plan.
9. Global Official F1 Radio Audio Streams (Perfect For Commutes & Background Watching) ๐ป
These verified official live radio commentary partners are ideal for gym sessions, road trips, or secondary background audio while streaming video:
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๐ฌ๐ง United Kingdom: BBC Radio 5 Live / BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra (BBC Sounds free streaming, rights through 2027).
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๐บ๐ธ United States: SiriusXM satellite radio simulcast of BBC 5 Live commentary (rights valid through 2027).
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๐ง๐ท Brazil: BandNews FM Portuguese live race audio.
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๐ง๐ช Belgium: Grand Prix Radio Belgium Dutch-language commentary.
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๐ฉ๐ฐ Denmark: Danmarks Radio full weekend live radio coverage.
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๐ญ๐บ Hungary: Kossuth Rรกdiรณ nationwide free live race audio.
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๐ฎ๐น Italy: Rai Radio 1 live Qualifying, Sprint, and Grand Prix commentary.
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๐ณ๐ฑ Netherlands: NPO Radio 1 + Grand Prix Radio Netherlands dual live audio streams.
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๐ธ๐ฎ Slovenia: Val 202 Slovene race commentary.
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๐ช๐ธ Spain: Radio Marca, Cadena SER, and Cadena COPE simultaneous national race simulcasts.
10. Travel Tips: How To Legally Stream F1 Live Abroad Without Geo-Block Headaches ๐งณ
FOM enforces strict geo-blocking on all licensed streaming platforms to protect territorial exclusive media rights. Follow these legal travel hacks to avoid blackouts overseas:
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Pre-subscribe to F1 TV Premium/Pro if your home market qualifies for live streaming access; works cross-border in all non-exclusive territories (blocked in the US, UK, France, Germany, Australia, MENA, and Southeast Asia beIN zones).
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EU/EEA Cross-Border Roaming Rule: DAZN, Viaplay, and Sky Go European streaming platforms include temporary travel roaming within EU borders under regional media regulations.
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US Fans Traveling Internationally: Apple TV F1 live streams only work within United States territory. When overseas, purchase the local regional licensed streaming service (beIN Europe/Asia, Sky UK, ESPN LATAM).
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Avoid VPN geo-workarounds: F1 actively detects and terminates F1 TV and Apple TV accounts caught using unlicensed VPNs to bypass regional broadcast restrictions, per platform terms of service.
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Short one-off race travel: Purchase 24-hour/day streaming passes (NOW Sports UK day pass, Viaplay 24-hour access) instead of committing to monthly/annual subscriptions.
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In-Flight / Cruise Ship Viewing: The Sport 24 onboard linear feed is built into aircraft and cruise entertainment systemsโno separate subscription required!
11. Frequently Asked Fan Questions (FAQ) ๐
Q1: How long does ESPN hold Latin America & Caribbean F1 broadcast rights?
A: F1 officially extended ESPN's partnership through the end of the 2028 season, announced February 24, 2026. The deal covers 18 Latin American nations plus all Caribbean islands, excluding Brazil and Mexico.
Q2: Is F1 TV Pro / Premium available in South Korea for 2026?
A: Yes! Per F1โs March 4, 2026 official F1 TV announcement, F1 TV Pro and F1 TV Premium launched in South Korea for the first time this season alongside Coupang Play's exclusive domestic streaming rights.
Q3: What new language commentary options are on F1 TV in 2026?
A: Three major localized upgrades have debuted: Latin American Spanish live race commentary, a fully localized Japanese user interface + dedicated Japanese-language race commentary, plus the new South Korean market rollout.
Q4: Does Apple TV US include all F1 TV Premium tools at no extra cost?
A: Confirmed! Every Apple TV+ subscription unlocks the complete F1 TV Premium suite, including custom multiview grids, 200+ onboard driver cameras, real-time telemetry, team radio, and full F2/F3/F1 ACADEMY/Porsche Supercup live streams with zero additional fees.
Q5: Who are the new presenters joining F1 TVโs 2026 broadcast team?
A: Seven-time F1 Grand Prix winner Juan Pablo Montoya joins the pundit roster for the first time, alongside new studio presenter Betty Glover.
Q6: Can I purchase standalone F1 TV Premium in the United States?
A: No. F1 discontinued independent F1 TV Pro/Premium subscriptions for US residents as part of the Apple exclusive broadcast deal; all premium F1 streaming functionality is fully bundled inside Apple TV+.
Q7: Does Disney+ carry F1 races in Latin America?
A: Yes, as part of the 2026โ2028 ESPN regional extension. Disney+ hosts the pan-regional ESPN F1 streaming feed covering all race sessions and support series.
Q8: Is there any way to watch every single 2026 Grand Prix completely free globally?
A: No. There is no territory offering full 24-race free live broadcast coverage. All free linear networks only air their domestic home Grand Prix plus a limited handful of selected international rounds. To watch every session live, you must subscribe to your local licensed pay streaming service or eligible F1 TV Premium/Pro plan.
Q9: What devices support F1 TV and Apple TV F1 streaming?
A: F1 TV works on web browsers, iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Chromecast, and major smart TV brands. Apple TV F1 streams on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV 4K, Roku, Fire TV, PlayStation, Xbox, and compatible LG/Samsung/Sony smart televisions, supporting simultaneous streaming on up to six devices per account.
12. Quick Reference Cheat Sheet For Top Fan Territories ๐
|
Territory |
Primary Full-Season Live Platform |
Free View Perks |
Live F1 TV Premium Eligible? |
Key 2026 Official Updates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
United States ๐บ๐ธ |
Apple TV+ ($12.99/mo) |
All Friday FP sessions free |
โ Bundled into Apple TV+ only |
F1 TV Premium integrated; standalone ESPN US discontinued. |
|
UK & Ireland ๐ฌ๐ง ๐ฎ๐ช |
British GP full weekend free, weekly highlights |
โ Blocked |
Exclusive rights locked until 2034. |
|
|
Australia ๐ฆ๐บ |
Australian GP full weekend free |
โ Blocked |
Extended multi-year rights post-2026. |
|
|
Germany ๐ฉ๐ช |
RTL airs 7 selected free races on RTL+ |
โ Blocked |
RTL contract extended for full 2026. |
|
|
France ๐ซ๐ท |
No full-season free live coverage |
โ Blocked |
Canal+ rights locked until 2029. |
|
|
Spain & Andorra ๐ช๐ธ ๐ฆ๐ฉ |
Spanish GP free live on Mediaset |
โ Blocked |
DAZN base rights active through 2026. |
|
|
Austria ๐ฆ๐น |
ORF / Servus TV / Sky Austria |
12 races fully free live on ORF/Servus TV |
โ Eligible |
Dual free-to-air broadcasters retained. |
|
India ๐ฎ๐ณ |
Limited free highlight tier |
โ Eligible |
FanCode rights active through 2028. |
|
|
MENA / SE Asia ๐ |
No full free live coverage |
โ Blocked |
Regional rights locked until 2030/2033. |
|
|
Mainland China ๐จ๐ณ |
Tencent Sports / Shanghai TV / Guangdong TV |
Regional local linear free sessions |
โ Eligible |
Tencent Sports digital integration; CCTV-5 holds no regular rights. |
|
Brazil ๐ง๐ท |
TV Globo 15 free main races |
โ Eligible |
TV Globo/sportv/Globoplay active through 2028. |
|
|
Latin America (Excl. BR/MX) ๐ |
Limited free highlight clips on Disney+ |
โ Eligible |
ESPN rights officially extended through 2028. |
|
|
South Korea ๐ฐ๐ท |
Coupang Play + F1 TV Premium |
No full free live coverage |
โ New 2026 Launch |
First-ever F1 TV Pro/Premium rollout in South Korea. |
|
Nordic Europe ๐ฉ๐ฐ ๐ซ๐ฎ ๐ฎ๐ธ ๐ณ๐ด ๐ธ๐ช |
Viafree ad-supported highlights |
โ Eligible |
Unified pan-Nordic streaming active until 2029. |
13. Final Fan Takeaway: Skip Pirate Streams โ Stick To Legal Verified Platforms ๐
2026 is a landmark broadcast season for Formula 1, anchored by Appleโs historic exclusive US partnership, ESPNโs multi-year Latin America extension, and a fully upgraded F1 TV platform packed with new regional language feeds and star-studded on-air talent. For casual viewers, expanded free-to-air home Grand Prix coverage delivers easy weekend access without a monthly bill, while hardcore motorsport fans gain deeper telemetry, multi-cam cockpit feeds, and unfiltered team radio functionality via F1 TV Premium or regional paid streaming platforms.
Always cross-check local TV provider schedules one week before each Grand Prix to confirm accurate session start times, local language commentary windows, and regional broadcast rulesโtimetables shift race-to-race across every market!
Bookmark the official F1 broadcast directory and 2026 F1 TV press release pages linked at the top of this guide for real-time updates as the season unfolds!
