ESPN extends exclusive F1 broadcast rights in Latin America through 2028
ESPN has renewed its exclusive rights to broadcast Formula 1 across Latin America and the Caribbean until 2028. The deal covers all sessions and will leverage the sport's surging popularity in the region, which now boasts over 150 million fans. The extension solidifies F1's presence in a key growth market with a young, diverse audience and strong local driver representation.
Formula 1 has secured its broadcast future in Latin America and the Caribbean, extending its exclusive partnership with ESPN through the 2028 season. The deal ensures comprehensive coverage across the region, capitalizing on the sport's significant and growing fanbase there.
Why it matters:
While ESPN lost the U.S. broadcast rights to Apple, this renewal with Disney's subsidiary underscores F1's strategic commitment to a key growth market. The region's young, diverse, and rapidly expanding audience represents a major commercial and cultural opportunity for the sport, especially with strong local driver representation on the grid.
The details:
- The agreement grants ESPN exclusive rights to broadcast every F1 session—including all practice and qualifying sessions, Sprint events, and Grands Prix—as well as support races.
- Coverage will be available across ESPN's linear TV channels and digital platforms, including Disney+. Specific distribution includes ESPN Premium in Chile and Fox Sports networks in Argentina.
- The region's fanbase has grown to over 150 million, a 5% increase from 2024. This audience is notably young and diverse, with 43% under 35 years old and 45% female.
- Local drivers are fueling interest: Brazil's Gabriel Bortoleto, Mexico's Sergio Pérez, and Argentina's Franco Colapinto provide strong regional connections. In Argentina specifically, F1 has become the country's most popular global sports league, with 17.2 million fans, surpassing both the NFL and NBA.
What's next:
The partnership will carry F1 broadcasting in the region into the sport's next major regulatory era. The 2026 season will introduce a new generation of car and power unit regulations, promising to reshuffle the competitive order. ESPN's established infrastructure and regional expertise will be crucial in delivering what F1 hopes will be a period of heightened drama and excitement to its expanding Latin American audience.
"We are excited to continue our collaboration, and take our sport to even more fans as we witness incredible growth across Latin America and the Caribbean," said Ian Holmes, F1's Chief Media Rights and Broadcasting Officer. He highlighted the 2026 regulation change as a key moment the broadcaster will help showcase.