How To Watch F1 At All Inclusive Resorts

Can’t get through the weekend without your Formula 1 fix? Yeah, we’ve all been there.

The vacation you have been looking forward to all year clashes with your favorite sporting event! Whether it’s the Monaco Grand Prix, the the World Series or the Super Bowl, the Manchester derby or the Indy 500, you’re now in Mexico or the Caribbean – hundreds of miles from your very expensive TV subscription – what do you do!?

In a Nutshell: Due to the rising popularity of Formula 1 racing, as well as so many other popular sporting events, many all inclusive resorts now feature sports bars where you’ll find multiple large-screen TVs – with all the sports channels – so you won’t miss your favorite events. Some offer premium sports channels in the rooms as well, so you can relax without the cheering crowds if you prefer. And most have free WiFi so that you can even use your laptop or Roku/Firestick device to access your personal subscription if you like more control over the action – we’re thinking of you, F1 fans! Your concierge can help guide you on the best options for the event you want to watch.

Don’t worry, we have you covered. We’ve found some all-inclusive resorts with the best sports bars, putting you in pole position to enjoy a wonderful vacation without missing the action. And in case none of these choices work for you, we’ve also got top tips for watching F1 and other sports whilst away. Ready? It’s lights out and away we go!

The Best Sports Bars at All-Inclusive Resorts

Rebels Bar – Grand Bavaro Princess, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Rebels Bar at Grand Bavaro Princess Punta Cana

Rebels sports bar at the 5-star is an award-winning bar that earns it’s #1 spot on our list because it’s open 24/7! On tap are a variety of beers, along with an impressive selection of wine and spirits, as well as an extensive menu of traditional “pub grub”. TVs are located all over the place, including a movie-screen-sized one over the band stage, and there is even a balcony with tiered seating. All major sporting events (plus some minor ones!) can be enjoyed although you may need to ask for a change of channel occasionally to be sure what you want to watch is on the closest TV within view. Plus, when your sporting event is over, you can enjoy a match up of your own, with pool tables and foosball available.

The 92-acre, family-friendly Grand Bavaro Princess by Princess Hotels is an all-inclusive resort located on the white sands of Bavaro Beach, consistently ranked as one of the best beaches in the Caribbean (although not all rooms are ocean-front or have ocean views, check when booking if that’s important to you). Dining and accommodations are excellent, and you’ll find the usual range of activities available, there’s included non-motorized water sports and a range of games such as shuffleboard and pétanque to partake in – PLUS all guests can enjoy a complimentary scuba lesson.

Legends Sports Bar – Finest Playa Mujeres, Cancun, Mexico

Walls adorned with sporting memorabilia and screens visible from every possible angle, you won’t miss a minute of the action at Legends Sports Bar. Open every evening from 4:00pm until midnight, guests can enjoy a range of beers and cocktails, as well as gourmet burgers, salads and sandwiches in a laid-back environment whilst cheering on their team, driver or athlete.

Having opened in 2015, Check PricesFinest Playa Mujeres is a family-friendly resort located in a private enclave, and enjoys calmer water (and less seaweed!) due to the protection offered by Isla Mujeres just off-shore. There’s an adult-only section of the resort with a private pool, bar and restaurant, with a further 11 restaurants and 16 bars to choose from! There are also countless swimming pools, a children’s playground, free Wi-Fi throughout the property and a range of suites to suit all budgets, including swim-up and ocean front options.

Score Sports Bar – Royalton Splash Riviera Cancun, Cancun, Mexico

Another great venue for watching live sports events in Cancun is the Score Sports Bar, serving a range of pub food throughout the day and night, from 11:00am until 06:00 in the morning. This unusual bar offers tennis ball tables and even a grass bar, making it an enjoyable place to watch your team, win or lose. Beers are served in glasses bigger than a pint, which is always fun, and thanks to the bar’s “Sports Event Guarantee”, you will not miss a moment unless you fall asleep on the beach.

The 5-star Check PricesRoyalton Splash Riviera Cancun is a relative newcomer on the Cancun scene, having opened in 2022. 10 of the 12 onsite restaurants offer a la carte dining and there’s a large waterpark comprising 14 slides, two lazy rivers and a splash park to keep the kids entertained. And don’t worry parents, there are four adult pools too! A number of suites can be booked, including more luxury options exclusively for Check PricesMarriott Bonvoy Diamond Club members, with other perks also available to regular customers of the brand.

How to Watch F1 and Other Live Sports Abroad

Despite being away on vacation, there are usually options so you won’t miss your favorite sporting event. For those occasions when there’s no sports bar in sight, try some of these options to tune in:

Streaming Services: Many streaming services such as F1 TV Pro, ESPN and Sky Sports offer mobile apps that can be accessed on a smartphone, tablet, or a USB device (such as a Roku, Amazon Firestick, or Google Chromecast) that allow you to watch sports channels whilst abroad, as long as you have a strong internet connection and a device on which to watch (such as the aforementioned smartphone or tablet, or a USB-enabled TV in your room). There are geographical restrictions on some of these though, that may prevent you from watching in certain destinations, which may necessitate a VPN.
Using a VPN: To get around the geographical restrictions issue, consider using a Virtual Private Network. A VPN allows you to appear as if you are browsing from your home country and will allow you to log in to you streaming service of choice. Few are free though, but some offer weekly or monthly rates, so you can use it short-term and cancel when you get home.

No internet access?

Check with your resort concierge: It’s an exceedingly rare all-inclusive resort that doesn’t offer free WiFi in all areas, but a few holdouts will generally still offer it in limited areas (for example in the lobby bar only). If watching on your tablet in the lobby bar is an unappealing prospect, ask the concierge – it’s very likely that they may have a way to screen the event for you, or at the very least, will be able to tell you of somewhere nearby where you can watch.

Head out and explore: Have a quick online search of your area and you are sure to find a pub or sports bar nearby, especially if you’re staying in a popular resort town or city. If it’s a big event like a soccer or football match, or an F1 race, then any decent sports bar will be screening it. And if it’s something more niche, most bars will gladly put the correct channel on for you in a quiet corner.