Formula 1 2026: How to Watch the Races in Germany
As the 2026 Formula 1 season approaches, German fans are eager to realize how to follow the action. Sky remains the primary broadcaster, but the possibility of free-to-air coverage and alternative streaming options adds complexity. This guide details where you can watch the 2026 F1 races with German commentary, which subscriptions are necessary, and how to potentially minimize costs.
Exclusive Rights with Sky
Sky and WOW will exclusively broadcast all 24 races of the 2026 season live and in UHD in Germany. The official streaming service F1 TV Pro is currently unavailable for new customers in Germany due to Sky’s exclusive rights .
Free-to-Air Options: RTL and RTL+
In 2025, RTL broadcast seven races on free TV and its streaming platform, RTL+. However, as of February 23, 2026, it remains unclear whether RTL will offer free-to-air coverage in 2026. RTL has not yet announced a renewed agreement with Sky . The potential takeover of Sky by RTL could also impact previous agreements.
It’s vital to note that in the past, qualifying sessions and training sessions were primarily shown on the paid stream RTL+ Premium*, not on linear television on RTL .
Free Formula 1 Streams in Austria and Switzerland
Austrian viewers can watch all races live on ServusTV and ORF. Swiss viewers have access to free streams from SRF, as well as some live races on TV. However, these streams are geoblocked for viewers in Germany .
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) can circumvent these restrictions by establishing a connection through Austria or Switzerland. Premium VPNs like ExpressVPN and NordVPN are recommended for reliable streaming . Using a VPN to bypass country restrictions may violate the streaming provider’s terms of service.
Cost Calculation: Where Do You Pay the Least Per Race?
Here’s a breakdown of the costs per season and per race (based on 24 races):
| Provider | Model | Costs (approx.) | Cost per race | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sky Sport (Q) | Annual subscription | €24.99 / month | €6.25 – €12.50 | 4K UHD, no latency, everything live |
| Sky Sport (Q) | 2-year subscription | €19.99 / month | €5.00 – €10.00 | 4K UHD, no latency, everything live |
| WOW Live Sport | Monthly subscription | €44.99 / month | €11.25 – €22.50 | Stream, can be canceled flexibly, everything live |
| WOW Live Sport | Annual subscription | €29.99 / month | €7.50 – €15.00 | Stream, everything live |
| RTL / RTL+ Premium | Free-TV + Monthly Subscription | €9.99 / month | €2.50 – €5.00 | Cheap, possibly only 7 of 24 races live (not yet confirmed) |
| VPN (Austria) | Annual subscription | approx. €3.75 / month | €0.94 – €1.88 | Very cheap, everything live |
| VPN (Austria) | 2-year subscription | approx. €2.50 / month | €0.62 – €1.25 | Very cheap, everything live |
Note: Prices may vary depending on discount campaigns.
Decision Support: Which F1 Type Are You?
- The Casual Viewer: RTL (Free-TV) and YouTube highlights are recommended.
- The Price-Performance Winner (Austria): ServusTV and ORF offer free coverage. A VPN is needed for viewers outside of Austria.
- The F1 Lover: A Sky Q subscription provides the best technical quality and convenience.
2026 Season Calendar: All Dates and Channels
(This table will be updated as new information becomes available.)
| Date, time (CET) | Grand Prix of | Location | Free TV Germany (RTL) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08.03.2026, 05:00 | 🇦🇺 Australia | Melbourne | NO |
| 15.03.2026, 09:00 | 🇨🇳 China | Shanghai | ??? |
| 29.03.2026, 07:00 | 🇯🇵 Japan | Suzuka | ??? |
| 12.04.2026, 16:00 | 🇧🇭 Bahrain | Sakhir | ??? |
| 19.04.2026, 18:00 | 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia | Jeddah | ??? |
| 03.05.2026, 22:00 | 🇺🇸 Miami | Miami | ??? |
| 24.05.2026, 22:00 | 🇨🇦 Canada | Montreal | ??? |
| 07.06.2026, 15:00 | 🇲🇨 Monaco | Monte Carlo | ??? |
| 14.06.2026, 15:00 | 🇪🇸 Barcelona-Catalunya | Barcelona | ??? |
| 28.06.2026, 15:00 | 🇦🇹 Austria | Spielberg | ??? |
| 05.07.2026, 16:00 | 🇬🇧 Great Britain | Silverstone | ??? |
| 19.07.2026, 15:00 | 🇧🇪 Belgium | Spa-Francorchamps | ??? |
| 26.07.2026, 15:00 | 🇭🇺 Hungary | Hungaroring | ??? |
| 23.08.2026, 15:00 | 🇳🇱 Netherlands | Zandvoort | ??? |
| 06.09.2026, 15:00 | 🇮🇹 Italy | Monza | ??? |
| 13.09.2026, 15:00 | 🇪🇸 Spain | Madrid | ??? |
| 26.09.2026, 13:00 | 🇦🇿 Azerbaijan | Baku | ??? |
| 11.10.2026, 14:00 | 🇸🇬 Singapore | Singapore | ??? |
| 25.10.2026, 22:00 | 🇺🇸 USA | Austin | ??? |
| 01.11.2026, 21:00 | 🇲🇽 Mexico | Mexico City | ??? |
| 08.11.2026, 18:00 | 🇧🇷 Brazil | São Paulo | ??? |
| 22.11.2026, 05:00 | 🇺🇸 Las Vegas | Las Vegas | ??? |
| 29.11.2026, 17:00 | 🇶🇦 Qatar | Lusail | ??? |
| 06.12.2026, 14:00 | 🇦🇪 Abu Dhabi | Abu Dhabi | ??? |
Stand: 04.03.2026, 07:00
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