Quick Take
- FanCode renewed exclusive Formula 1 India broadcast rights for three more years from 2026.
- The Dream Sports unit will now sell F1 TV Pro and Premium directly to fans.
- F1’s India fanbase has hit 79 Mn, making this a high-value subscription bet.
In This Article
India’s sports streaming platform FanCode Bags Bold F1 India broadcast rights again, renewing its exclusive deal with Formula 1 for three more seasons starting 2026, according to a Formula 1 announcement.
The renewal builds on a partnership that began in 2024. For the first time, F1 TV Pro and F1 TV Premium will be sold directly through FanCode, per the Formula 1 corporate announcement. Indian fans get every practice, qualifying session, Sprint, and Grand Prix on one app, with deeper content built around race weekends.
StartupFeed Insight
The real story here is not the rights, it is the direct sale of F1 TV. By selling F1 TV Pro and Premium itself, FanCode moves from a rights licensee to a premium subscription gatekeeper, capturing the highest-paying motorsport fans in India. With F1’s local fanbase at 79 Mn and growing fast, the platform is building a defensible niche while rivals chase cricket. StartupFeed expects FanCode to push F1 bundle pricing and add live race-day data products by the 2027 season, turning one-off race buyers into recurring subscribers. The bet rewards patience over scale. By StartupFeed Desk.
FanCode Bags Bold F1 Breakdown: What FanCode Secured
FanCode secured a three-year extension of its exclusive Formula 1 India broadcast rights, running from the 2026 season. The deal was confirmed by Formula 1 in December 2025.
| Metric | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rights Holder | FanCode (Dream Sports) | Exclusive India streaming |
| Deal Length | 3 years from 2026 | Extension of 2024 partnership |
| New Element | Direct sale of F1 TV Pro and Premium | First time via FanCode |
| Coverage | Practice, qualifying, Sprint, Grand Prix | Full race-weekend access |
| India Fanbase | 79 Mn fans | Per Formula 1 announcement |
| Announcement Date | December 16, 2025 | Formula 1 corporate site |
The standout detail is the direct F1 TV sale. It hands FanCode the premium subscription layer, not just live rights, per the Formula 1 announcement.
About FanCode
FanCode is an Indian sports streaming and content platform founded in 2019 and headquartered in Mumbai. Co-founded by Yannick Colaco and Prasana Krishnan, it is owned by Dream Sports (maker of Dream11). FanCode runs direct-to-consumer revenue lines across live content, stats, and subscriptions. It had about 1,310 employees as of August 2025, per Tracxn, and raised $50 Mn (Rs 415 Cr) from Dream Sports in 2021.
Why does F1 keep betting on FanCode?
Formula 1 renewed with FanCode because India is now one of its fastest-growing markets, with a 79 Mn fanbase. The platform’s flexible, low-cost pricing fits a price-sensitive audience.
“We are delighted to renew our partnership with Formula 1 for three more years,” said Yannick Colaco, Co-founder, FanCode.
FanCode targets long-tail and emerging sports rather than fighting for cricket rights. That focus, paired with sachet-style subscriptions, lets it monetise passionate niche fans. F1 gets a partner that understands Indian fan behaviour and converts viewers into paying subscribers.
How does FanCode stack up on rights?
FanCode competes for India sports rights against larger platforms that dominate cricket, but it owns a deep portfolio of global properties. Beyond F1, FanCode holds India rights for LaLiga, the Indian Super League, the Saudi Pro League, and more, according to Tracxn.
| Platform | Core Focus | F1 India Rights |
|---|---|---|
| FanCode | Long-tail and global sports | Yes (exclusive) |
| JioHotstar | Cricket and mass entertainment | No |
| Sony LIV | Cricket, tennis, entertainment | No |
What makes FanCode different is its niche-first strategy: it monetises sports the giants overlook, then sells premium access directly to dedicated fans.
What’s Next
FanCode will roll out direct F1 TV Pro and Premium sales across the 2026 season, its first under the new structure. Expect bundle pricing experiments and added race-weekend content as it chases recurring subscribers in a 79 Mn-strong market. The next test is conversion: can FanCode turn casual race buyers into year-round subscribers before the 2027 season?
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Last updated: June 13, 2026 at 14:30 IST
Written by StartupFeed Desk. Published: June 13, 2026. Updated: June 13, 2026. Have a tip? Write to us at editorial@startupfeed.in.
