The FIA, world motorsport’s governing body, is set to endorse an auction of the commercial rights to the World Rally Championship (WRC), which could be valued at around £500 million. Current rights-holders Red Bull and Germany’s KW25 are seeking an early exit from their contract, which still has seven years remaining.
Potential bidders include private equity firms such as EQT, alongside specialist sports investors and media companies. The WRC Promoter entity, which also holds the rights to the European Rally Championship, has attracted growing attention as the series’ global audience continues to expand—reaching a cumulative 1.3 billion television viewers and over 4 million live attendees in 2024.
The FIA’s move follows its strengthened financial position under president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who recently secured a €20 million extension for Formula E’s rights deal. He said the tender would ensure WRC’s long-term growth and global reach.
Source: Sky News
