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• Formula 1 has confirmed a multi-year global content partnership with Disney beginning in 2026.
• The agreement includes exclusive streaming content, live experiences, and merchandise collaborations across the Disney ecosystem.

Picture this. It’s Sunday. You’re watching a Formula 1 Grand Prix on ESPN. But instead of the traditional race analysis, your screen transitions into a behind-the-scenes segment, shot Disney-style, where a young fan in Mexico follows their favourite team across a race weekend. The colours pop. The story is tight. And it’s all housed on Disney+.

That’s the kind of crossover F1 and Disney are betting on starting in 2026.

The two brands have signed a sweeping partnership aimed at reshaping how global audiences engage with motorsport. The deal goes beyond broadcast. It’s about building worlds—on screen, online, and in person.

The Heart of the Deal

In the US, Formula 1 will continue airing on ESPN, a Disney-owned network. Disney+ will become a Ì첩ÈüʹÙÍø for extended storytelling—docuseries, animations, behind-the-scenes content, and more.

For UK viewers, Sky Sports retains race-day coverage through at least 2029. Disney content will complement that experience with post-race features aimed at younger and more casual fans.

The partnership was announced on May 20, 2025. While official financial terms were not disclosed, the deal is reported to span multiple years, with content development beginning immediately and new programming launching in early 2026.

Why It Matters

Formula 1 has grown rapidly in recent years. Netflix’s Drive to Survive played a big role, helping boost US viewership by 40% between 2019 and 2023. According to Formula 1’s reporting, the sport attracted over 1.5 billion cumulative TV viewers in 2024 and reached a fan base of over 826 million globally.

¶Ù¾±²õ²Ô±ð²â’s involvement represents a step toward younger, broader audiences. F1 currently races in 24 countries. ¶Ù¾±²õ²Ô±ð²â’s reach includes hundreds of millions of viewers and subscribers across platforms like Disney+, Hulu, and Star.

Building on What Works

¶Ù¾±²õ²Ô±ð²â’s track record with storytelling is well known. This deal will apply that skillset to motorsport.

Plans already hinted at include:

• New docuseries led by teams like National Geographic
• Animated content for young viewers
• Race replays with immersive digital features
• Co-branded events in Disney parks

The idea is to turn Formula 1 into an entertainment experience, not just a sporting event.

UK Focus

The UK remains a key hub in Formula 1. Seven of the ten teams have operations here. Silverstone draws massive attendance each year. British drivers and brands maintain a strong global appeal.

This new content partnership will not affect how UK fans watch races live. But it will bring more storytelling—about British drivers, teams, and tracks—to screens globally.

Local stories could now travel further, packaged through ¶Ù¾±²õ²Ô±ð²â’s content pipeline.

The Numbers That Matter

Let’s look at the scale:

• Disney+ had 124.6 million subscribers globally as of Q1 2025
• Formula 1 had over 1.5 billion cumulative TV viewers in 2024
• Social media following for F1 grew significantly in 2023, with tens of millions of new followers
• A growing share of new F1 fans in the US are under age 25

These numbers explain the timing. Both brands want to tap into younger, digital-first audiences.

The focus is not just on race broadcasts. It’s long-form stories, mobile content, and interactive experiences.

What’s Changing for Fans

If you’re a fan, the race coverage remains familiar. But everything surrounding the event—before, after, and beyond—will feel new.

Expect:

• More pre- and post-race content on streaming platforms
• Short-form stories and character features on social media
• Co-branded live events at circuits and resorts
• New interactive tools to follow races and drivers

For many, Formula 1 will become more accessible through entertainment-first formats.

The Road Ahead

is no stranger to sports. It already holds rights to the NFL, NBA, and UFC through ESPN.

Formula 1 is different. Every driver has a persona. Every team has a history. Every race weekend creates new stories.

With new 2026 regulations changing how the cars run and new venues joining the calendar, there’s a lot to explain and explore.

Disney will help make those shifts easier to understand, especially for new fans.

The first content under this deal is expected to debut alongside the 2026 season opener. Production will begin at the races later in 2025.

What’s Next

Disney and Formula 1 plan to reveal more during Q4 2025. Early teasers are likely to surface as pilot filming progresses.

The collaboration extends into digital formats, with potential for mobile apps and mixed-reality content. Educational pilots are also in development.

By the time the 2026 season starts, the way audiences engage with Formula 1 may feel broader, more connected—and more like a full-time media experience.