FIA confirm tender process for new WRC rights holder
22nd August 2025The FIA has confirmed the tender process will be run for a new commercial rights holder of the World Rally Championship, following discussions with the current holders.
Feature image credit: Jaanus Ree // Red Bull Content Pool
The WRC’s governing body, the FIA, confirmed on Thursday that it will be helping facilitate a sale of the sport’s commercial rights. It comes after a year where it was reported that the current rights holders were trying to sell.
According to a Reuters report in 2024, the current rights holder, Red Bull, and KW25 were collaborating with J.P.Morgan to prepare for a potential sale. It was stated that the owners would be valued at up to €500 million ($550.3 million).
The governing body has now confirmed the move in a statement. According to the FIA, this has followed ‘an extensive period of discussions’ with the current rights holders, who have decided to start the process.
“The FIA World Rally Championship is at an exciting moment in its history,” said FIA President, Mohammed Ben Sulayem. “Millions of fans around the world are following the action, and new, younger audiences are driving its global growth.
“This Championship has enormous potential, and it is our responsibility as governing body to ensure it continues to grow and reaches new heights.
“This process is an important step and will shape the long-term vision for the WRC, and I am confident that, together with the right partner, we can take the championship to the next level, preserve its proud heritage, and grow its global reach for generations of fans to come.”
In their statement, the governing body boasts the sport’s popularity, having reportedly achieved a 1.3 billion cumulative television audience and over four million on-site visitors in 2024.
They have said their priority is to ensure the WRC is best placed to maximise its potential and to deliver value to all of its stakeholders, which include drivers, teams, organisers and fans.
The FIA has also confirmed it wants to preserve the sport’s strong heritage.
“The FIA World Rally Championship is the longest-running motorsport series of its kind, one of the most thrilling competitions in the world, with a unique heritage and an exciting growth trajectory ahead,” commented newly-appointed FIA Deputy President for Sport, Malcolm Wilson.
“The tender process for the commercial rights holder is a big opportunity for a new enterprise to take the Championship into its next chapter with renewed energy and investment.
“We will work with Red Bull and KW25 to find the best fit for this important role.”
FIA are said to be working with the current rights holders to find a new rights holder who has ‘long-term investment in the championship,’ to ensure the best future of the sport.
J.P. Morgan is reportedly acting as the financial advisor to both Red Bull and KW25, and will help support them through this process.
The next round of the WRC will be in South America for two consecutive rallies in the continent: Paraguay and Chile. The former will make their WRC debut next week.
Read more WRC here:
- WRC Rally Chile Bio Bio: Entry list revealed
- WRC Rally del Paraguay: the entry list
- Iconic 2004 WRC car up for auction in Silverstone
- 3 Winners and Losers of WRC Rally Finland
- Kalle Rovanpera finally wins maiden home event at WRC Rally Finland
- Kalle Rovanpera on cusp of WRC Rally Finland victory
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Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.
I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.
Kamron Kent
Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.
