2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix: Schedule & TV Overview
Round 15 of the 2026 Formula 1 season heads to Baku for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, and it comes with a genuine twist to the usual weekend rhythm. Practice and qualifying run across Thursday and Friday, 24 and 25 September, before the grand prix itself closes out the weekend on Saturday, 26 September. That shift means Baku wraps up a day earlier than most rounds on the calendar this year.
Teams have been busy in the build up too, with several outfits bringing upgrade expectations ahead of Baku to the tight, unforgiving streets of the City Circuit. It’s a track that punishes the smallest mistake, so preparation matters more here than almost anywhere else on the calendar. UK viewers can catch every session live on Sky Sports F1, with dedicated build up and analysis running throughout the Baku weekend.
Global TV Broadcasters & Regional Coverage Matrix
Formula 1’s global audience means the Azerbaijan Grand Prix reaches fans through a wide spread of official broadcasters. Below is a region by region breakdown of where to find live coverage of the Baku weekend, with every session, including the Saturday race, carried through these outlets.
| Region | TV Channel | Streaming Platform | Race Day |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Sky Sports F1 | Sky Go / NOW | Saturday, 26 September |
| United States | ESPN | ESPN app / ESPN+ | Saturday, 26 September |
| Canada | TSN / RDS | TSN app / RDS app | Saturday, 26 September |
| Australia | Fox Sports | Kayo Sports | Saturday, 26 September |
| India | FanCode | FanCode app | Saturday, 26 September |
| South Africa | SuperSport | SuperSport app / DStv Stream | Saturday, 26 September |
In the United Kingdom, Sky Sports carries the full weekend, and BBC Radio 5 Live remains the go to option for commentary if you’re stuck away from a screen. In the United States, ESPN holds the rights and streams the full session through its own app, so cable and cord cutting subscribers both have a route in. Australian fans reach the race through Kayo Sports as well as Fox Sports, while the FanCode app is the main destination for followers in India. SuperSport continues to anchor coverage across South Africa and much of the wider African market. None of these routes require a workaround, since every broadcaster listed above holds official rights for the 2026 season.
How to Stream the Azerbaijan Grand Prix Legally in the UK
For supporters without a Sky subscription, NOW offers a Sky Sports Day or Month Membership that unlocks the same live feed without signing up to a long term contract. The Sky Go app carries the broadcast to phones, tablets and connected TVs for existing subscribers. F1 TV Pro is worth considering too, since it streams the session directly with extra data and onboard camera angles for those who want a deeper look at the car.
Both apps run comfortably on Apple TV, Amazon Fire Stick and most smart TV platforms, so there’s no need to huddle round a laptop on race day. Download whichever app you plan to use in advance and check for updates before Saturday. A fresh install tends to avoid the buffering issues that can creep in once the field gets moving. If you’re unsure of the exact local start time where you are, the official F1 app converts the schedule automatically.
Stick to official outlets for the broadcast. Unlicensed streams are unreliable, often drop out mid session and can expose a device to malware. A verified subscription is the only way to guarantee a stable, high definition feed of the Baku City Circuit.
Azerbaijan GP Context: Championship Battle & Schedule Shift
The move to a Saturday race isn’t random. Formula 1 confirmed the change came “following a request from the Azerbaijan promoter and relevant government stakeholders”, explaining the decision through the sport’s own Formula 1 schedule update. The aim is to avoid clashing with Azerbaijan Remembrance Day, observed on 27 September. It’s a rare case of a grand prix weekend bending around a national date rather than the usual Thursday to Saturday template staying fixed, and it raises fair questions about the future on the F1 calendar for Baku beyond this season.
On track, the championship picture could hardly be tighter at the top while somehow also looking settled. Kimi Antonelli arrives in Baku with an 81 point lead after winning the inaugural Madrid Grand Prix, a result that has put Mercedes firmly in control of the title fight. Lando Norris took pole in Madrid but lost the lead during a Virtual Safety Car period, eventually salvaging third for McLaren after what looked like a strong shot at victory. Max Verstappen finished second after giving up position to Lewis Hamilton early in the race, a call that still sparked debate paddock wide.
Baku has a habit of producing chaos all of its own, from red flags to late safety cars, and long time fans will remember the dramatic Baku race restarts that have shaped the circuit’s reputation over the years. With the race now condensed into a Saturday slot and the title fight far from settled, this weekend carries real weight for every team on the grid.
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