Fox Sports revealed on Thursday that it has secured the rights to broadcast IndyCar starting in 2025. This move positions the network to cover two of the biggest races globally – the Indianapolis 500 and NASCAR’s Daytona 500.
Currently, Fox Sports already broadcasts the first half of the NASCAR schedule. In November, NASCAR announced a new seven-year media rights deal, introducing two new partners and streaming elements to accommodate the 38-race schedule spread across multiple networks and platforms.
The terms of the agreement between IndyCar and Fox Sports were not disclosed. However, Fox has committed to providing network broadcasts for all 17 races, as well as the two days of qualifying for the Indy 500 for the duration of the deal.
IndyCar cited NBC Sports’ inability to offer the same level of national broadcast slots as a reason for the switch.
IndyCar CEO Mark Miles expressed enthusiasm about the partnership with Fox Sports, highlighting the significant exposure and growth potential it brings to the sport. He praised Fox Sports as a dedicated partner ready to provide engaging coverage to fans across the country and promote IndyCar across its platforms.
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Previously held by NBC since 2009, IndyCar’s rights were speculated to be worth $20 million per season under the most recent three-year extension, with NBC Sports moving coverage of practices and qualifying sessions to its app, Peacock. Many races also aired on cable networks. In a notable instance, NBC moved the Long Beach race to USA Network, resulting in a viewership drop from over a million to just over 300,000.
NBC Sports expressed pride in its contributions to IndyCar’s growth over the past 16 seasons and thanked the drivers, teams, and owners for their partnership. They also touched on the upcoming 2024 season and look forward to presenting it for the fans.
Viewership of IndyCar on NBC platforms has remained consistent compared to the previous season, with the Indy 500 drawing more viewers in 2024. Fox Sports assured that all races will be available on their network and app, with Spanish-language coverage on Fox Deportes. Additionally, qualifying sessions will be aired on cable channels FS1 or FS2.
Setting an IndyCar record, all 19 events will be broadcast on Fox, making it the only premier motorsports series in the country with exclusive major network coverage for all races.
Eric Shanks, CEO of Fox Sports, emphasized the significance of adding the Indianapolis 500 to their lineup and discussed informing NASCAR chairman Jim France about the new IndyCar partnership. He described the Indy 500 as “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” and expressed Fox Sports’ excitement to be its broadcast home.
The 2025 IndyCar schedule remains largely unchanged, with modifications like the inclusion of the All-Star race as a points race and the exclusion of a Milwaukee doubleheader. The season kicks off on March 2 in St. Petersburg, Florida, and concludes on August 31 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Notably, Texas Motor Speedway will not be part of the 2025 season for the second consecutive year.
