Formula E has signed a multi-year agreement making Disney+ the global streaming home of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship across 144 territories, beginning with the 2026/27 season. In the U.S., races will stream on Disney+ alongside ESPN+. Formula E, majority-owned by Liberty Global, says the deal will run alongside its existing portfolio of free-to-air and linear broadcast partners rather than replace it. The championship announced the agreement jointly with Disney+ and ESPN this week.
Highlights
- Disney+ will carry Formula E across 144 territories, streaming alongside ESPN+ in the U.S.
- Coverage begins with the 2026/27 season, which expands to 21 races across 13 cities
- The season opens in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on December 18 and closes in Tokyo on July 25, 2027
- The GEN4 car produces 600 kW, which the championship puts at more than 815 horsepower, with 0–60 mph in approximately 1.8 seconds
What Will Disney+ Stream?
Subscribers across the 144 territories will get live coverage of every Formula E race weekend, including each practice session, qualifying session and race. Disney+ will also carry preview and review shows, race highlights, analysis, behind-the-scenes programming, and full race replays on demand immediately after each event.
Formula E says the expanded streaming offering will sit alongside its current broadcast partnerships, giving the championship reach into new households while preserving the accessibility of its existing distribution.
The GEN4 Car and an Expanded Calendar
The agreement takes effect as Formula E moves into its GEN4 era. The championship describes the new car as the fastest and most technologically advanced electric racing car it has built, citing 600 kW of power — equivalent to more than 815 horsepower by the championship’s figures — and 0–60 mph in approximately 1.8 seconds, which Formula E says is around 30% quicker than a Formula 1 car.
The 2026/27 calendar expands to 21 races across 13 cities. It opens in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on December 18 and concludes in Tokyo on July 25, 2027. Formula E also says the season will introduce a revised race weekend format intended to tighten competition and add sporting jeopardy, though the announcement did not detail the format changes.
Manufacturer commitment to the GEN4 platform has been building through development testing over the past year.
What Formula E and Disney Say
Jeff Dodds, Chief Executive Officer of Formula E, framed the deal as a growth platform for the series.
“This is a landmark moment for Formula E and reflects the incredible momentum behind our Championship. Disney’s unrivalled global reach and storytelling will introduce Formula E to millions of new fans while bringing them closer than ever to the drama, innovation and excitement of electric racing. As we enter the GEN4 era, this provides an exceptional platform to accelerate our global growth and continue building one of the world’s most exciting sports properties. We’re also excited by the opportunity to explore additional ways for Formula E and Disney to work together beyond live race coverage, creating even more innovative and engaging experiences for fans in the years ahead.”
Michaella Snoeck, Chief Media Officer at Formula E, emphasized the coexistence of streaming and linear distribution.
“This agreement reflects the global demand for Formula E. Disney’s unprecedented scale complements our valued linear TV broadcast network, allowing us to serve core markets locally while accelerating our digital footprint globally and bringing our fans closer to the action than ever before.”
Joe Earley, Co-President, Direct-to-Consumer at Disney Entertainment, pointed to the series’ technology and sustainability positioning.
“Formula E combines world-class competition, groundbreaking technology, and sustainability in a way that’s unlike any other sport. We’re excited to help power the championship’s next chapter on Disney+ and to give fans around the globe front row access to every adrenaline-fueled race as it happens.”
Why It Matters for Electrification
Formula E positions itself as a development platform for production EV technology, with Porsche, Jaguar, Nissan, Stellantis, Mahindra and Lola Cars fielding or supplying entries. A distribution deal that places the championship on a mass-market streaming service in 144 markets raises the commercial stakes for those manufacturer programs, and arrives at the same moment the technical regulations reset to GEN4.
