ESPN Secures Exclusive Formula 1 Rights for Latin America and Caribbean Through 2028

Formula 1 has finalised a major three-year extension with ESPN Inc., ensuring the network remains the exclusive home of the sport across 18 countries in Latin America (excluding Mexico and Brazil) and the Caribbean until the end of the 2028 season.

The deal comes at a pivotal moment for the sport in the region, which has seen a 5% surge in fan numbers since 2024. The total fanbase now exceeds 150 million, with notable demographic shifts showing that 45% of fans are female and 43% are under 35 years old.

Commenting on the partnership, F1’s chief media rights and broadcasting officer, Ian Holmes, said: “ESPN has been a trusted broadcast partner for many years, so we are excited to continue our collaboration.”

“We look forward to working with them into 2026 as the next generation of regulations come into force, which will shake up the competition,” Holmes said.

Multi-Platform Coverage

Starting with the 2026 season opener in Melbourne (6-8 March), the partnership provides a “total access” model across ESPN’s linear and digital ecosystems.

• Broad Content Scope: Coverage includes every practice, qualifying session, F1 Sprint, and Grand Prix.
• Feeder Series: For the first time, the agreement explicitly highlights the inclusion of Formula 2, Formula 3, F1 ACADEMY™, and the Porsche Super Cup.
• Regional Hubs: Streaming will be centralised on Disney+, with specific linear coverage via ESPN Premium in Chile and Fox Sports in Argentina.

The “Colapinto Effect” in Argentina

Driven by local hero Franco Colapinto’s seat at Alpine, Formula 1 has officially become the most popular global sports league in Argentina, surpassing both the NFL and NBA.

The country now boasts 17.2 million fans, a statistic that underscores the regional “star power” currently on the grid, which also includes Sergio “Checo” Pérez (Cadillac) and Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi).

ESPN vice president of programming and acquisitions, Michael Walters, stated that the extension “strengthens a strategic alliance that reinforces ESPN’s commitment to excellence in sports content” across Spanish-speaking South America and the Caribbean.

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