Formula 1 and Sky have officially deepened their long-standing alliance, announcing a landmark multi-year agreement that ensures Sky Sports remains the exclusive home of Grand Prix racing in the UK, Ireland, and Italy well into the 2030s.
This renewed commitment follows a period of unprecedented interest in the sport. In the UK and Ireland, the partnership has been extended through the conclusion of the 2034 season. Meanwhile, fans in Italy will continue to enjoy dedicated coverage on Sky Italia through at least 2032.
Comprehensive Coverage for a New Generation
Under the terms of the deal, Sky retains the rights to broadcast every session of the F1 calendar live including all practice rounds, Qualifying, Sprints, and the Grands Prix. The agreement also highlights a continued focus on younger demographics through the “F1 Kids” broadcast package, an innovative product designed to make the complexities of the sport accessible to children.
While pay-TV remains the primary home for the sport, the agreement ensures that the British Grand Prix and highlights of every race remain available on free-to-air television in the UK. In Italy, TV8 will continue to provide free-to-air access to the Italian Grand Prix and other select highlights to complement Sky’s dedicated 24/7 F1 channel.
Record-Breaking Growth Metrics
The decision to extend the partnership comes on the heels of explosive viewership data:
- UK & Ireland: Since Sky became the exclusive broadcaster in 2019, total viewership has surged by 90%. Notably, the audience of fans under 35 has jumped by 120%, while female viewership has more than doubled.
- Italy: Buoyed by the rise of Kimi Antonelli and the continued performance of Ferrari, the 2026 season opened with a 25% increase in viewers. Antonelli’s historic maiden win at the Chinese Grand Prix drew a combined audience of 2.6 million viewers across Sky and TV8.
- Digital Impact: The 2025 season set an all-time record in the UK and Ireland with 162 million viewer hours recorded.
Executive Perspectives
Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1, praised the broadcaster’s “world-leading approach” to storytelling and technical analysis. “Sky has been a passionate partner since the beginning,” Domenicali stated, noting that their on-screen talent and behind-the-scenes depth have been instrumental in the sport’s regional expansion.
Dana Strong, Group CEO of Sky, emphasized the broadcaster’s role as a long-term investor in the sport. “We are incredibly proud to support the growth of Formula 1,” Strong said. “With more domestic talent on the grid and a new era of racing on the horizon, we are excited to remain the definitive home for F1 fans.”
Beyond the main stage, the deal confirms that Formula 2, Formula 3, the F1 Academy, and the Porsche Supercup will remain pillars of Sky’s motorsport offering, ensuring a clear pathway for fans to follow the sport’s future stars.
