Electric single-seater racing is about to find a new home on the small screen. Starting with the 2026/27 season, Disney’s streaming platforms will carry the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship across more than 140 countries and territories, a deal that reshapes how fans follow the all-electric series.
In the United States, races will appear on both Disney+ and ESPN+, giving subscribers two ways to watch. The arrangement also lets Formula E keep separate broadcast agreements with local TV networks in specific markets, according to a report from Variety.
The new partnership kicks off with a season opener in Saudi Arabia on December 18, featuring 21 rounds spread across 13 race weekends. The calendar includes stops in Miami, Monaco, and Mexico City, offering a mix of street circuits and iconic locations.
Formula E has been around since 2014, carving out a niche as the premier racing series for electric vehicles. Over the years, it has grown from a novelty into a competitive championship with factory-backed teams and a dedicated fanbase. The series has leaned into sustainability and innovation, showcasing the performance potential of EVs in a motorsport setting.
Previously, Roku held the primary streaming rights for Formula E in the US, and even produced a documentary series to promote the league. That partnership appears to be ending as Disney steps in, marking a significant shift in the media landscape for the sport.
Formula E’s move contrasts with its gasoline-powered counterpart, Formula 1. F1 recently ended its long-running collaboration with ESPN and struck a new deal with Apple for exclusive US broadcast rights. That decision has been widely discussed in sports media circles, as it moves F1 away from traditional cable and into the streaming-first ecosystem.
Disney’s acquisition of Formula E rights signals a broader trend: live sports remain a key battleground for streaming services. Disney+ has been expanding beyond scripted entertainment, and adding a global motorsport series bolsters its live-event offerings. For ESPN+, the addition strengthens its portfolio of racing content, which already includes other series.
For fans, the transition means more accessibility, as Disney+ is available in far more markets than Roku’s platform. The inclusion of local TV deals suggests Formula E is trying to balance global reach with regional broadcasting partnerships, a strategy that could help the series grow its audience in key markets.
The deal is a vote of confidence in Formula E’s trajectory. Securing a major streaming partner like Disney gives the series credibility and exposure that could attract new sponsors and viewers. It also comes at a time when electric racing is gaining traction, with automakers investing heavily in EV technology and motorsport as a testing ground.
While the financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed, the move is likely to be a lucrative one for Formula E. Disney’s marketing muscle and global reach could elevate the series to new heights, similar to how Netflix’s “Drive to Survive” boosted F1’s popularity in the US.
As the 2026/27 season approaches, fans will be watching to see how the new broadcasting arrangement unfolds. With races in three continents and a streaming platform that reaches hundreds of millions of households, Formula E is poised for its biggest season yet.
