F1 2026 TV guide: Sky Sports coverage, Australian GP and full race calendar
Formula 1 returns this week as the 2026 season gets underway at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 6-8
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 16: Lando Norris of Great Britain driving the (4) McLaren MCL39 Mercedes leads Oscar Piastri of Australia driving the (81) McLaren MCL39 Mercedes on track during the F1 Grand Prix of Australia at Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit on March 16, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Bryn Lennon – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)
Formula 1 makes its return this week as the 2026 campaign kicks off with all the racing broadcast live on a single channel. Reigning champion Lando Norris will begin his title defence against Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne from March 6-8.
This represents the opening round of 24 races this season, concluding with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix from December 4-6. Several significant alterations feature this year, including a fresh circuit joining the racing calendar.
The drivers will navigate the streets of Madrid in September following Imola’s removal from the schedule. Additionally, American manufacturer Cadillac enters the competition, bringing the total number of teams to 11 for the first time in ten years.
Formula 1 enthusiasts can view all 24 race weekends throughout the campaign live on Sky Sports, broadcasting every practice session, qualifying and race on the Sky Sports F1 channel. Those without a Sky subscription can gain access through the provider’s flagship sports package, the £35 Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle.
This provides access to nine dedicated sports channels including F1 and Premier League, alongside approximately 100 standard channels, Netflix and discovery+. Customers choosing the £42 Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle will also receive 35 additional channels, with Disney+, HBO Max and Hayu access included at no extra cost from March.
Sky’s discounted Formula 1 package
Formula 1 fans can watch every practice, qualifier and race live with Sky’s Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle in an introductory deal that saves £336.
As well as nine Sky Sports channels, this includes around 100 regular channels and free subscriptions to Netflix and Discovery+.
Current Sky customers can now add Sky Sports F1 to their package at a reduced rate, with the monthly subscription dropping from £20 to £15 per month. This is a 31-day rolling contract that can be cancelled at any time with 31 days’ notice.
Meanwhile, Virgin Media also provides Sky Sports access through its £52.99 Sport bundle. Whilst pricier than Sky, it includes over 200 channels plus 362Mbps fibre broadband.
However, customers should bear in mind that Sky and Virgin increase their prices annually, meaning bills will rise at least twice during the 24-month contracts.
Here’s the complete schedule for F1 2026:
Formula 1 2026 race schedule
- Australia: March 6-8
- China: March 13-15
- Japan: March 27-29
- Bahrain: April 10-12
- Saudi Arabia: April 17-19
- Miami: May 1-3
- Canada: May 22-24
- Monaco: June 5-7
- Barcelona: June 12-14
- Austria: June 26-28
- Great Britain: July 3-5
- Belgium: July 17-19
- Hungary: July 24-26
- Netherlands: August 21-23
- Italy: September 4-6
- Madrid: September 11-13
- Azerbaijan: September 24-26
- Singapore: October 9-11
- USA: October 23-25
- Mexico: Oct 30-Nov 1
- Brazil: November 6-8
- Las Vegas: November 19-21
- Qatar: November 27-29
- Abu Dhabi: December 4-6