F1 Shatters Records as Global Boom Reaches Unprecedented Growth

Formula 1 has released its 2025 season review, confirming the sport is experiencing its most significant period of growth ever, with record-breaking numbers across fanbase, attendance, and digital engagement.

Why it matters:

The data solidifies F1's transition from a niche, traditional sport into a truly global entertainment powerhouse. The dramatic shift in audience demographics—younger, more female, and more geographically diverse—proves the success of its long-term strategy under Liberty Media and suggests this growth trajectory is sustainable, fundamentally altering the sport's commercial and cultural footprint.

By the numbers:

• 827 million: The total global fanbase, a 12% year-on-year increase and a 63% rise since 2018. This makes F1 the world's most popular annual sporting series, with a fanbase 11.4% larger than the NBA's.
• 43% of fans are under 35, with 57% of all new fans in 2025 falling into this age group. The sport added 51 million young fans in the past year alone.
• 42% of the fanbase is now female, up from 37% in 2018. Women accounted for 48% of all new fans gained in 2025.
• 6.7 million: Combined race attendance for 2025, a record high. Nineteen of 24 events were sell-outs, with 11 circuits setting new attendance records.
• 114.5 million: Total social media following, a 19% annual increase. F1 was the fastest-growing global sports league on social media for the fifth consecutive year.

The details:

The geographical expansion is particularly striking. While Europe remains a core market, growth in Asia is a major driver, with 221.1 million fans in China and 78.8 million in India. The 2025 season saw monumental event crowds, with four races attracting over 400,000 spectators—including a massive 500,000 at the British Grand Prix.

Digital and broadcast metrics are equally robust. F1 generated over 2.3 billion social media engagements, outperforming leagues like the NFL and UEFA Champions League. TikTok led platform growth at 91%. In broadcasting, average global weekend viewership sits around 70 million, with ESPN in the U.S. recording its highest-ever single-season F1 viewership.

The big picture:

These figures represent the culmination of years of strategic effort. The Drive to Survive effect, increased accessibility through digital content, and successful new race venues have converged to attract a new, mainstream audience. The sport is no longer reliant solely on its traditional European heartlands, having successfully embedded itself in key growth markets like the U.S. and Asia. This broad appeal strengthens its position with sponsors, broadcasters, and host cities, ensuring greater financial stability and global relevance.

What's next:

The challenge for F1 will be to maintain this momentum. It must continue to engage its new, younger fanbase through digital innovation and compelling on-track competition, especially with the major regulatory changes slated for 2026. Furthermore, balancing this explosive growth with the core sporting product and managing calendar expansion will be critical to ensuring the sport's boom does not lead to fan fatigue.