- FanCode is the exclusive Indian-subcontinent rights holder for F1 through 2028, and a paid FanCode or F1 TV plan is the only route to live coverage in 2026.
- A single FanCode Race Weekend pass costs ₹99; a full-season FanCode pass costs ₹899.
- F1 TV Access, Pro and Premium are sold directly by Formula 1 at $19.99, $29.99 and $39.99 (billing period not stated by the source).
- Regional-language commentary (Hindi since 2025, Tamil added for 2026) is available on FanCode.
- The Bahrain Grand Prix has moved to Sepang, Malaysia (2-4 October 2026), though this is still pending final sign-off.
Who holds the F1 broadcast rights in India in 2026?
FanCode is the official, exclusive broadcaster of Formula 1 across India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Formula 1 itself confirmed a multi-year extension in December 2025, keeping FanCode as the rights holder through the 2028 season.
That core rights deal covers every F1 practice, qualifying, sprint and race session. FanCode’s separate F1 Season Pass then bundles in F2, F3 and F1 Academy coverage too — more on that pass below.
FanCode offers F1 commentary in Hindi and Tamil for the 2026 season. This is the second year FanCode has offered regional-language commentary, not the first — it introduced Hindi commentary for the 2025 season.
FanCode being the exclusive rights holder doesn’t make it the only way to watch, though. F1 TV remains separately purchasable straight from Formula 1, so a paid FanCode or F1 TV plan is the only route to live F1 in India in 2026, just not necessarily FanCode alone.
Watching now? Check out the full 2026 F1 session schedule with every practice, qualifying and race time converted to IST.
Is there a free way to watch F1 live in India?
The closest thing to free F1 content is Formula 1’s own official YouTube channel, which regularly posts highlight clips and video content after race weekends. That’s useful for catching up on the headline moments, but it is not live racing.
No, there is no free live TV broadcast or free live-streaming option for Formula 1 in India in 2026. Every live session, on either FanCode or F1 TV, sits behind a paid plan.
FanCode pricing plans for 2026
FanCode sells F1 access as four separate passes, each with its own billing period. Prices below are current as reported by Autocar India on 4 March 2026 — re-check FanCode’s app before you buy, since prices can change.
Do the maths before you pick a plan. Nine Race Weekend passes would cost ₹891 — close to the ₹899 Season Pass — and ten would cost ₹990, so the Season Pass works out to less than the cost of ten single race weekends.
The annual Unlimited Livestream Pass, at ₹1,499, is the priciest of FanCode’s three annual tiers. Its ₹199/month price looks affordable at a glance — though it annualises to ₹2,388, more than any other FanCode tier — so the flexibility of paying monthly rather than committing upfront is the real appeal, not the price itself.
F1 TV pricing: Access, Pro and Premium
Formula 1 also sells its own F1 TV plans directly through the F1 TV app and website, separately from FanCode. As of Autocar India’s 4 March 2026 report, three tiers are on offer.
Autocar India’s own approximate conversions put these at roughly ₹1,840, ₹2,760 and ₹3,680.
Treat those as unofficial estimates, not confirmed rupee prices — F1 TV bills in US dollars, and the source doesn’t state a billing period, so don’t assume these are per-season charges.
Only F1 TV Pro and Premium have been confirmed moving to FanCode’s checkout, per Formula 1’s own December 2025 announcement and SportsPro’s coverage of it — neither source gives a timing. Autocar India’s 4 March 2026 report says that move is expected later in 2026, and hadn’t happened yet as of that report.
F1 TV Access has no confirmed FanCode migration so far; it currently stays direct-only.
Planning to catch a race trackside?
Most fans in India will be watching from home on a FanCode or F1 TV plan, but some travel for the race weekend itself.
The next round on the calendar is the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, 21-23 August 2026. Fans planning a trackside trip to an upcoming Asian or Gulf round — including the relocated Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia — can compare flights to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Abu Dhabi or Baku on Wego.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch F1 for free in India in 2026?
No. Live F1 coverage in India requires a paid FanCode or F1 TV plan; the only free content is post-race highlight clips on F1’s official YouTube channel.
What is the cheapest way to watch a single F1 race in India?
FanCode’s Race Weekend Pass at ₹99 covers every session of one Grand Prix weekend, making it the cheapest single-race option.
Is FanCode the only place to watch F1 live in India?
FanCode holds the exclusive rights, but F1 TV is also sold directly by Formula 1, so a paid FanCode or F1 TV plan is the only route to live coverage.
Does FanCode have Hindi commentary for F1?
Yes, FanCode offers Hindi and Tamil commentary for the 2026 season, its second year offering regional-language commentary.
Where is the Bahrain Grand Prix happening in 2026?
The Bahrain Grand Prix is set to run at Sepang, Malaysia from 2-4 October 2026, though this is still pending final World Motor Sport Council sign-off.
Sources
- Formula One World Championship Limited — FanCode to exclusively broadcast Formula 1 in India in multi-year agreement extension (16 Dec 2025)
- SportsPro — FanCode retains exclusive F1 rights in India until 2028 (17 Dec 2025)
- Formula1.com — F1 TV to launch in India for 2023 season
- SportsTiger — F1 TV Pro launches in India after Star Sports fail to renew Formula 1 broadcast rights
- Formula1.com — Fox Sports and Star Sports extend F1 agreement in Asia (2014, covering 2016 to the 2022 season, incl. India)
- Autocar India — F1 2026: FanCode, F1 TV India subscription prices (4 Mar 2026)
- Autocar India — FanCode to stream F1 in India till 2028 (18 Dec 2025)
- Dream Sports Group — Hindi and more: FanCode to stream Formula 1 in regional languages for the first time (11 Mar 2025)
- Formula1.com — Formula 1 and FIA confirm Malaysia will join 2026 calendar as host venue for the Bahrain Grand Prix (26 Jul 2026)
- Al Jazeera — Bahrain and Saudi F1 race cancellations confirmed due to Iran war (14 Mar 2026)
- Formula1.com — Formula 1 Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2026 full timetable
- Formula 1 — official YouTube channel (@Formula1), source of free post-race highlight clips
Disclaimer: We’ve worked hard to make sure the information in this article is as accurate and up to date as possible at the time of publishing. Travel details such as prices, schedules, visa rules, and entry requirements can change at short notice, so it remains your responsibility to verify the current details with official sources before you book or travel. Wego accepts no liability for any loss or inconvenience arising from the use of this content.
