Disney has reached a multi-year arrangement to carry the all-electric Formula E racing series on its Disney+ streaming platform across 144 territories worldwide, with U.S. viewers able to watch races on ESPN and ESPN+ as part of the distribution plan.
The deal covers the upcoming 2026-27 season, which is scheduled to include 21 rounds staged across 13 events. The calendar lists host cities such as Jeddah, Austin, Miami, Monaco and Mexico City. According to the published schedule, the season will open on December 18 in Jeddah and is set to conclude with the final round in Tokyo on July 25 next year.
Strategic context
Media companies place a premium on live sports programming because regular, real-time events attract younger viewers and can sustain streaming subscriptions over extended periods. The new Formula E agreement augments Disney's existing sports rights portfolio, which already includes select LALIGA football packages, NBA games and rights to the UEFA Women's Champions League.
League developments
Formula E, in which Liberty Global holds a majority stake, is preparing to introduce its next-generation electric vehicle platform, GEN4. The league has described GEN4 as "the debut of the fastest and most technologically advanced electric racing car ever built."
Commercial and distribution details
The financial terms of the arrangement were not disclosed. The league indicated it will continue to honor its existing broadcast television partnerships alongside the new streaming agreement. Prior to this deal, Formula E had a partnership with CBS Sports that allowed races to air on CBS, Paramount+ and The Roku Channel in the United States.
What this means
- Disney expands its sports streaming footprint globally by adding Formula E to Disney+ across 144 territories, while maintaining U.S. access via ESPN and ESPN+.
- The 2026-27 season schedule confirms 21 rounds across 13 events with an international city roster and specific start and end dates.
- Formula E is moving forward with GEN4 vehicle plans and will keep its broadcast partnerships in place; financial terms of the streaming agreement were not released.