Sky New Zealand, holding the Formula 1 New Zealand broadcast rights since 2018, will maintain live coverage of every practice session, qualifying round, and race through Sky Sport and its streaming service, Sky Sport Now. The Australian Grand Prix will also be accessible on Sky’s free-to-air channels, with highlights of all other races made available for viewers nationwide at no cost.
Increased Local Interest Fuels Broadcast Renewal
This contract renewal coincides with a notable rise in Formula 1 enthusiasm across New Zealand, partly driven by the success of native driver Liam Lawson. In 2025, over 1.1 million viewers engaged with the sport through Sky Sport and free-to-air broadcasts, while nearly 470,000 accessed the races via digital platforms such as Sky Sport Now and Sky Go.
Formula 1 has captured the hearts of New Zealanders like never before,
said Adam Crothers, Sky’s head of content partnerships.
With rising stars like Liam Lawson inspiring a new generation of fans, we’re proud to be bringing world-class motorsport to Kiwi screens — live, loud, and at full throttle.
Collaborative Efforts to Deliver Comprehensive Race Coverage
Ian Holmes, Formula 1’s chief media rights and broadcasting officer, expressed optimism about the agreement.
With the advent of Liam Lawson, we continue to see a surge in Kiwi supporters who are tuning in to back their hometown hero,
Holmes stated.
Together, Formula 1 and Sky will provide world-class programming and coverage across every race weekend, to ensure fans never miss a moment of the action.
Sky’s Expanded Motorsport Portfolio
Beyond Formula 1, Sky’s motorsport lineup in New Zealand encompasses Supercars, IndyCar, MotoGP, and WorldSBK, providing fans with a broad spectrum of racing entertainment throughout the year.
