Key Highlights:
- Race Date: The 2026 Las Vegas Grand Prix takes place on Saturday, November 21, 2026.
- Race Start: Lights out is scheduled for 8:00 PM Pacific Time, which is 11:00 PM Eastern Time.
- Big 2026 Change: Apple TV is now the exclusive U.S. home of Formula 1, replacing ESPN for live race-weekend coverage.
- What You Can Watch: Apple TV carries every practice session, qualifying session, Sprint where applicable, and every Grand Prix live and on demand in the U.S.
- No ESPN/ABC Race Broadcast: The older ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, and ESPN+ setup no longer applies to the 2026 U.S. F1 season.
| Session | Day | Local Time (PT) | Eastern Time (ET) | U.S. Streaming |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practice 1 | Thursday, Nov. 19 | 4:30 PM | 7:30 PM | Apple TV |
| Practice 2 | Thursday, Nov. 19 | 8:00 PM | 11:00 PM | Apple TV |
| Practice 3 | Friday, Nov. 20 | 4:30 PM | 7:30 PM | Apple TV |
| Qualifying | Friday, Nov. 20 | 8:00 PM | 11:00 PM | Apple TV |
| Las Vegas Grand Prix | Saturday, Nov. 21 | 8:00 PM | 11:00 PM | Apple TV |
The F1 Las Vegas TV schedule for 2026 looks very different from previous years. The race itself remains a Saturday-night event, but the biggest change is how U.S. fans will watch it.
For 2026, Apple TV is the exclusive U.S. broadcast and streaming home of Formula 1. That means fans no longer need to switch between ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, and ESPN+ depending on the session. Instead, the full Las Vegas race weekend is available through Apple TV.
F1 Las Vegas Schedule: Practice, Qualifying & Race
The 2026 Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend runs from Thursday, November 19 through Saturday, November 21.
Practice 1 begins Thursday at 4:30 PM PT, followed by Practice 2 at 8:00 PM PT.
Friday features Practice 3 at 4:30 PM PT and qualifying at 8:00 PM PT.
The Grand Prix itself starts Saturday at 8:00 PM PT.
For viewers on the East Coast, qualifying and the race both begin at 11:00 PM ET.
How to Watch the Las Vegas Grand Prix in the U.S.
The most important correction to older guides is that ESPN no longer holds the exclusive U.S. Formula 1 rights in 2026.
Apple TV carries every 2026 Grand Prix, including all practice sessions and qualifying, live and on demand for U.S. subscribers.
You can watch through the Apple TV app on supported devices such as:
- Apple TV 4K
- iPhone and iPad
- Mac
- Supported smart TVs
- Roku
- Amazon Fire TV
- Chromecast with Google TV
- PlayStation and Xbox
Formula 1 coverage is included with a standard Apple TV subscription in the U.S.
Do You Need F1 TV Pro in 2026?
For U.S. viewers, Apple TV is the main place to watch live Formula 1 in 2026.
That makes older advice telling American viewers to choose between ESPN+ and F1 TV Pro outdated.
If you specifically want features such as onboard cameras, live timing, driver feeds, or additional technical data, check Formula 1’s current F1 TV availability in your region before subscribing.
Streaming rights can vary by country, so international viewers should use Formula 1’s official broadcast information rather than assuming the U.S. Apple TV arrangement applies everywhere.
Why Is the Las Vegas Grand Prix on Saturday?
The Las Vegas Grand Prix remains unusual because the race takes place on Saturday night local time rather than the traditional Sunday afternoon schedule used by many Formula 1 events.
That gives Las Vegas a race-week structure of Thursday practice, Friday qualifying, and Saturday Grand Prix action.
The race begins at 8:00 PM local time on November 21.
The night schedule also keeps the cars racing under the Strip’s lights and resort signs, which is a major part of the event’s visual identity.
Best Time to Start Watching
If you only care about the race itself, the key time is 8:00 PM PT / 11:00 PM ET on Saturday.
However, Formula 1 coverage typically includes pre-race programming before lights out, so opening the stream earlier gives you time to watch grid preparation, interviews, technical analysis, and final race updates.
For qualifying fans, Friday night is also worth watching because the street circuit makes track position especially important.
Watching the Race in Las Vegas Without a Ticket
If you’re already in Las Vegas but don’t have a grandstand ticket, sportsbooks and sports bars can still be a good option for following the race broadcast.
Large casino sportsbooks commonly show major sporting events on oversized screens, although race-week reservations, minimum spends, and seating policies can vary.
If you want to watch from a sportsbook, confirm in advance that the venue will carry the Apple TV F1 feed rather than assuming every sportsbook has access.
This is especially important in 2026 because the U.S. broadcast platform changed from ESPN to Apple TV.
What Time Is the Las Vegas Grand Prix Around the U.S.?
| Time Zone | Race Start |
|---|---|
| Pacific | 8:00 PM |
| Mountain | 9:00 PM |
| Central | 10:00 PM |
| Eastern | 11:00 PM |
FAQ
What channel is the Las Vegas Grand Prix on in 2026?
In the United States, Formula 1 is now streamed exclusively on Apple TV for the 2026 season.
What time does the Las Vegas F1 race start?
The race begins at 8:00 PM PT on Saturday, November 21, 2026, which is 11:00 PM ET.
Is the Las Vegas Grand Prix still on ESPN?
No. ESPN was the previous U.S. broadcaster, but Apple TV became the exclusive U.S. home of Formula 1 starting with the 2026 season.
Can I watch practice and qualifying on Apple TV?
Yes. Apple TV carries every practice session, qualifying session, and Grand Prix live and on demand for U.S. subscribers.
Is the Las Vegas Grand Prix a night race?
Yes. The race starts at 8:00 PM local time and runs under the lights of the Las Vegas Strip Circuit.
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