Las Vegas GP Sets New Viewership Record for F1 on ESPN

The Las Vegas Grand Prix averaged an event-record 1.5 million viewers on ESPN in the US, marking a significant 66% year-over-year increase. This strong performance, combined with overall season averages, positions Formula 1 for a record-breaking viewership year in 2025, demonstrating growing engagement across its US fanbase.

Why it matters:

Formula 1's continued growth in the United States is critical for the sport's global expansion and commercial success. Record viewership for the Las Vegas GP, despite mixed initial reception for the event, underscores the increasing mainstream appeal of F1 in a key market. This trend suggests a deepening engagement from fans beyond just domestic races.

The details:

• The 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix recorded an average of 1.5 million viewers on ESPN, setting a new viewership record for the event.
• This figure represents a 66% increase from the 905,000 viewers who tuned in for the 2023 race.
• It also surpassed the inaugural 2023 Las Vegas GP, which averaged 1.3 million viewers, both of which also aired on ESPN.
• A key factor in this year's success was the earlier start time, with the race beginning two hours earlier. This allowed East Coast viewers to tune in at 11 PM ET, a more favorable time slot compared to 1 AM ET in previous years.
• While the average audience for US-based races this season (1.73 million) is slightly lower than 2024 (1.79 million) and 2022 (1.96 million), overall season engagement remains strong.

The big picture:

Formula 1 is currently averaging 1.31 million viewers in the US through 22 races, virtually guaranteeing that the 2025 season will achieve record viewership for the series in the country. The previous record was 1.19 million viewers in 2022. This demonstrates a clear shift in fan behavior, with US audiences showing increased engagement throughout the entire F1 season, not just for the domestic races. This trend is further supported by record average audiences this year for races held in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, indicating a global surge in F1 popularity.

What's next:

The sustained growth in F1 viewership, particularly in the US, points to a robust future for the sport's broadcast landscape. As F1 continues to innovate with its race calendar and marketing strategies, further increases in audience engagement and record viewership numbers are highly anticipated for the upcoming seasons. The series' ability to adapt its scheduling, as seen with the Las Vegas GP, will be crucial for maximizing its reach.