Formula 1 Secures Long Term Sky Broadcast Deal as F1 Academy Coverage Expands Across Europe

Formula 1 has extended its major broadcast partnership with Sky across the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Italy in a long term media rights agreement that strengthens the sport’s growing television and streaming presence across Europe. Under the renewed deal, Sky Sports will retain exclusive Formula 1 rights in the UK and Ireland until the end of the 2034 season, while Sky Italia’s agreement runs through 2032.

The agreement includes live coverage of every Formula 1 race weekend, including practice sessions, qualifying, Sprint races, and Grands Prix across Sky Sports, Sky Sport Italia, and streaming platform NOW. The renewed partnership also covers Formula 2, Formula 3, Porsche Supercup, and the rapidly growing F1 Academy series.

The deal arrives amid record audience growth for Formula 1 in Europe. According to Sky and Formula One Management data, the 2025 season became the most watched Formula 1 campaign ever on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland, generating 162 million viewer hours. Since 2019, viewership has reportedly increased by 90 percent, while audiences under 35 grew by 120 percent and female viewership more than doubled.

Formula 1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali described Sky as a “trusted and passionate partner,” highlighting the broadcaster’s role in expanding the sport’s storytelling and audience reach. Sky Group CEO Dana Strong said the agreement reflects Sky’s continued investment in live sports broadcasting and Formula 1’s growing popularity across multiple demographics.

The expanded visibility of F1 Academy, Formula 1’s women focused racing development series launched in 2023, is also considered a significant part of the agreement. The championship has seen increased global distribution after initially struggling with limited broadcast exposure during its debut season.

The latest deal also comes amid increasing competition for Formula 1 broadcasting rights globally, with streaming companies such as Apple TV and Netflix showing interest in motorsport media rights in recent years. Despite that competition, Sky successfully retained Formula 1’s key European markets through the next decade.

Sportscapefeels that Formula 1’s long term commitment to Sky reflects the sport’s confidence in premium broadcast storytelling despite the rise of streaming platforms.

The inclusion of F1 Academy and junior series in major rights deals signals how Formula 1 is positioning its entire racing ecosystem, not just the main championship, as a global entertainment product.