MotoGP makes major US TV step with ESPN deal
MotoGP has penned a new two-year deal for 2027 with broadcaster ESPN that will finally give the series a more permanent United States TV home, after a series of somewhat confusing contracts in recent seasons jumping around between different channels, platforms, and broadcasters.
The new deal, which will cover coverage not just in the US but also across Latin America, means ESPN becomes the exclusive rights holder for MotoGP, with a commitment to providing live or same-day coverage of every round.
Perhaps most importantly given the changing media landscape of recent years, it will also bring MotoGP onto one of the market’s major streaming platforms as it will appear on Disney+.
The news should come as welcome relief to US fans after quite a bit of uncertainty in recent years over where exactly to watch MotoGP.
Prior to 2020, the championship had a deal with BeIN Sports in which its team attended multiple races in person, before a move to NBC for four years.
But while that deal was notable for being with a major network, it meant MotoGP coverage jumping around between channels, with many races not airing live. A new deal for 2024 with TNT Sports (announced only hours before the start of the season) didn’t prove to be substantially different.
MotoGP moved to Fox in 2025, again announced only hours before the opening session of the first weekend, and again coverage moved around between channels, with this year’s American Grand Prix at Austin airing live on Fox Business.
With that in mind, the new ESPN deal should come as welcome news not just to MotoGP fans but to the series’ new Liberty Media owner, by providing a valuable growth platform as it attempts to replicate its success with Formula 1 in the US market.
"This agreement with ESPN marks an important milestone in MotoGP's growth strategy across the Americas,” said MotoGP’s deputy CEO Carlos Ezpleleta.
“ESPN's position as one of the world's leading sports broadcasters, combined with its strong connection with audiences across the United States and Latin America, makes it the ideal platform for us to continue expanding MotoGP's reach and bring the sport closer to millions of people.
“This is an exciting opportunity to introduce MotoGP to new audiences while continuing to serve our passionate existing fanbase through one of the most influential sports media brands in the world."
