Sky Secures £1bn F1 Broadcast Rights Extension for UK, Ireland and Italy

Sky Sports has solidified its position as the definitive home of Formula 1 in several key European markets, announcing a multi-year agreement that extends its exclusive broadcasting rights across the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, and Italy. The deal ensures that millions of motorsport enthusiasts will continue to have access to every session of the Formula 1 race weekends well into the next decade.

The extension comes on the heels of unprecedented growth for the sport in these regions. In the United Kingdom and Ireland, the 2025 season marked the most-watched Formula 1 campaign in the history of Sky Sports, driven in part by the dramatic title race that saw Britain’s Lando Norris secure the 2025 Drivers’ Championship for McLaren.

Under the terms of the renewed partnership, Sky Sports will maintain its exclusive rights in the UK and Ireland through the 2034 season inclusive, representing a five-year extension to the existing deal. For viewers in Italy, the agreement extends the partnership through the 2032 season inclusive, also via a five-year extension to the Sky Italia contract.

This long-term commitment ensures that fans can continue to follow the sport’s evolution during a period of significant transition and rising popularity, particularly with the emergence of new talent and the continued expansion of the F1 ecosystem.

Comprehensive Coverage Across Multiple Platforms

The agreement guarantees that Sky Sports (UK and ROI) and Sky Sport (Italy), along with the streaming service NOW, will remain the only destinations for live coverage of every practice session, qualifying round, Sprint race, and Grand Prix. This total-access approach has been a cornerstone of Sky’s strategy to bring fans closer to the technical and strategic intricacies of the sport.

While the primary live coverage remains behind a subscription, the partnership continues to support free-to-air accessibility to ensure the sport maintains its broad reach. In the United Kingdom, highlights of every Grand Prix and the live broadcast of the British Grand Prix will remain available on free-to-air television. Similarly, in Italy, every Grand Prix will be broadcast live on the dedicated Sky Sport F1 channel, complemented by free-to-air coverage on TV8, which includes the live broadcast of the Italian Grand Prix.

To further cultivate the next generation of fans, the broadcaster will continue to showcase “F1 Kids,” an innovative product specifically designed to engage younger audiences and introduce them to the complexities of the pinnacle of motorsport.

Beyond the Main Circuit: Supporting the Pipeline

The partnership extends far beyond the premier Formula 1 category. Sky will continue to provide comprehensive coverage of the feeder series and supporting championships, providing a complete picture of the motorsport ladder. This includes live coverage of Formula 2, Formula 3, the F1 Academy, and the Porsche Supercup.

By integrating these series into its offering, Sky provides fans with unrivalled access to the future stars of the sport. This holistic approach to coverage allows viewers to track the progression of drivers from the junior categories up to the main grid, adding a layer of narrative depth to the primary championship battle.

A New Era of Competition and Interest

The timing of this extension coincides with a surge of interest in the 2026 season. The sport enters this new phase of its partnership with high drama already unfolding on the track. In Italy, excitement is particularly high as 19-year-old Italian driver Kimi Antonelli has taken an early lead in the 2026 Drivers’ Championship after winning three successive races.

This momentum follows the historic 2025 season, which saw Lando Norris claim the world title for McLaren. The combination of a home-grown champion in the UK and a rising star in Italy has created a perfect storm for viewership growth, justifying the long-term nature of the multi-year agreement between the sport and the broadcaster.

Since becoming the exclusive home of Formula 1 in the UK and Ireland in 2019, Sky has played a central role in the sport’s growth across English-speaking nations. The broadcaster’s ability to blend deep technical analysis with high-production storytelling has helped transition F1 from a niche sporting interest into a mainstream cultural phenomenon in these territories.

What So for Fans

For the average viewer, the primary impact of this deal is stability. There will be no disruption in service or shift in platforms for those already utilizing Sky Sports or NOW to follow the championship. The continuation of the free-to-air arrangements for home races ensures that the sport remains accessible to the general public, maintaining the balance between premium subscription content and public visibility.

The integration of F1 Academy and F2/F3 coverage also means that fans will have a more comprehensive understanding of the sport’s diversity and the rigorous path required to reach the F1 grid. As the 2026 season progresses, the focus will remain on whether Antonelli can maintain his early lead or if the established veterans and the defending champion can mount a comeback.

Fans looking for official updates on scheduling and coverage can find detailed information through the Sky Sports F1 portal.

The next major checkpoint for the sporting world will be the Canadian Grand Prix, which is scheduled to take place from May 22-24, 2026. This event will provide the first major test of the season’s dynamics following the recent broadcasting announcements.

Do you think the exclusive nature of these deals helps or hinders the growth of Formula 1? Share your thoughts in the comments below or share this article with your fellow racing fans.