Formula E signs global Disney+ and ESPN streaming deal for GEN4 era

Formula E lands a major global streaming partner

Formula E has agreed a multi-year global streaming partnership with Disney+ and ESPN, giving the all-electric championship one of its broadest distribution agreements to date.

From the beginning of the 2026/27 season, Disney+ will carry Formula E across 144 territories. The package is set to include live race-weekend sessions, replays and additional behind-the-scenes content, while ESPN and ESPN+ will provide coverage in the United States.

Formula E says the agreement is intended to complement its existing local television arrangements rather than remove free-to-air coverage where those partnerships remain in place. That gives the championship a global streaming home while still allowing individual markets to retain established broadcasters.

Why the timing matters

The deal begins at exactly the point Formula E enters its biggest technical transition. The new GEN4 car is designed to produce up to 600kW of power and accelerate from 0–60mph in approximately 1.8 seconds, making it a substantial performance step beyond the outgoing GEN3 machinery.

That makes 2026/27 a particularly important season for attracting new viewers. Formula E has a faster car, an expanded calendar and a major international streaming platform arriving at the same time.

The championship has often faced a visibility challenge because television arrangements vary significantly between countries. A single platform available across a large number of markets could make it considerably easier for occasional viewers to follow the championship consistently.

What Disney gets from the deal

Live sport has become increasingly important to major streaming services because races and matches encourage audiences to watch at a specific time rather than simply browsing an on-demand library.

Formula E also offers Disney a comparatively young motorsport property with strong links to electric cars, technology and major automotive manufacturers. The championship currently races in prominent global cities and is preparing for a 2026/27 schedule containing 21 races across 13 events.

For Formula E, the potential benefit is scale. Disney+ can place the championship in front of subscribers who may never have actively searched for an electric racing series.

What to watch next

• Local broadcasters: Formula E will need to explain how existing television agreements sit alongside the new Disney+ coverage in individual markets.
• GEN4's debut: The faster car gives the championship a major sporting story to promote to its new streaming audience.
• US growth: ESPN and ESPN+ provide another opportunity to expand Formula E's presence in the American market.
• Audience numbers: The real measure of the agreement will be whether easier global access converts into sustained viewership growth.

Sources: Reuters, 11 August 2026; Formula E championship information.