FOX Sports counting the wins after first season as IndyCar broadcaster

FOX’s first season of broadcasting IndyCar brought a significant increase in overall viewers, younger viewers, and women to follow the series on its network and cable channels.

“FOX Sports coverage of the 17-race 2025 IndyCar Series season scored in a big way, averaging 1,362,000 viewers according to Nielsen Media Research, a 27-percent year-to-year increase from 2024 and the most-watched season in 17 years,” FOX Sports wrote.

“In 2025, the IndyCar Series has recorded the most audience growth to date of any sport averaging at least a million viewers. Sunday’s season finale from Nashville delivered 1,142,000 viewers, up +136% from last year’s event and the most-watched Nashville race since 2021.”

With the 17 races tallied, Nielsen found an 81 percent rise in the 18-34 age range, a 51 percent improvement in the wider 18-49 group, and spikes in female viewers with ages 18-34 being up 72 percent and 18-49 gaining 30 percent over 2024, when IndyCar was on NBC.

Add in the 41 percent hike in Indianapolis 500 viewers where an average of 7,088,000 people tuned in, and FOX Sports CEO Eric Shanks was pleased with the company’s debut season with the series.

“In a season loaded with both massive successes and key learnings, we couldn’t be more excited about the potential we see in the FOX IndyCar relationship as we close out the 2025 season together,” Shanks said. “Expanding on our connection with IndyCar for next year and beyond, projects already are well underway to keep this momentum going at full speed.”