NHRA Expands Media Reach with Landmark Agreements

NHRA has reached new, landmark multiyear media rights agreements for the Mission Foods Drag Racing Series with three standout distributors — FOX Sports, The CW Network and FloSports — positioning NHRA to enjoy the largest household reach in its 75-year history.

Starting during the 2027 season, NHRA will have a total reach of more than 125 million households, giving NHRA its biggest-ever media presence.

FOX Sports and The CW will carry all 20 NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series events on race day, with FOX Sports showcasing the first 13 races of the 2027 campaign, which kicks off with the NHRA Winternationals on Feb. 18-21 at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip. FOX Sports telecasts will continue to include a mix of coverage on the FOX broadcast network and FS1, as well as streaming on the FOX One app, showing eliminations action on Sunday as well as a qualifying highlight/recap show on Sundays.

As part of this historic arrangement, NHRA is also thrilled to welcome two new partners in The CW and FloSports, which will both broadcast NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series action for the first time.

The CW will be the exclusive broadcast home on race day for the final seven races of the season, including the world’s biggest drag race, the prestigious Cornwell Quality Tools NHRA U.S. Nationals, and the full six-race Countdown to the Championship playoffs. Sunday eliminations on The CW will also be available to stream on the ESPN App for ESPN Unlimited subscribers.

FloSports will make its FloRacing channel the streaming home for live qualifying action in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and eliminations on Sunday. These events and the NHRA partnership will be supported by an extensive lineup of original content, editorial, and social programming on FloRacing.

“This is a truly major moment for NHRA and for the future of our sport. These agreements with FOX Sports, The CW Network, and FloSports put NHRA racing in front of fans in more ways and on more platforms than ever before,” NHRA President Glen Cromwell said. “Celebrating our 75th anniversary in 2026, we continue to see tremendous momentum and growth in our audience.

“These new media relationships give us a huge opportunity to build on that and continue to reach new fans and introduce them to the incredible competition, drivers, race teams, and excitement that make NHRA Drag Racing so special. We’re extremely proud of these agreements for our race teams, tracks, and sponsors, and we’re thrilled to see NHRA’s continued growth with our partners at The CW Network, FOX Sports, and FloSports.”

The CW Network

NHRA will make its 2027 debut on The CW at the world’s biggest drag race at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, kicking off what will be a massive seven-race stretch broadcasting eliminations on the network. The addition of The CW also ensures NHRA will enjoy the most over-the-air broadcasts in its history between FOX and The CW, giving the six-race Countdown to the Championship playoffs a larger household reach and its biggest spotlight yet.

Race fans will also be able to watch NHRA action on The CW via CW Sports streaming on The ESPN App with an ESPN Unlimited subscription.

“The CW has quickly become a top-tier broadcast destination for motorsports fans, and we are thrilled to add NHRA events to our growing portfolio of CW Sports,” said Mike Perman, senior vice president of CW Sports. “Beginning next fall, these seven adrenaline-packed NHRA playoff races will pair perfectly with the action of the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, making weekends on The CW the premier television home for all racing enthusiasts.”

FOX Sports

NHRA and FOX Sports will continue a thriving relationship that first began in 2016 and continued with a multiyear extension in 2021. Starting in 2027, two to three of the first 13 events of the year will air on FOX, with the remaining airing on FS1, as well as coverage on the FOX One app.

Sundays on FOX Sports will also include a comprehensive recap/highlight show to set up elimination action. There will also be robust motorsports promotion in FS1 broadcast windows, a staple of the longtime collaboration between NHRA and FOX Sports.

“It’s fantastic to continue our long-standing relationship with the NHRA,” said Bill Wanger, FOX Sports EVP, head of Programming and Scheduling. “With a sport built on speed, adrenaline, and mechanical mastery, being able to continue to deliver the blink-of-an-eye action across FOX Sports platforms to the NHRA’s dedicated fan base highlights the commitment to our motorsports lineup.”

FloSports

NHRA and FloSports will enter into a first-ever agreement starting in 2027, with the platform serving as the live streaming home for NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series qualifying and eliminations.

Through the agreement, FloRacing will exclusively stream all rounds of qualifying live at every national event, marking an ideal opportunity for both partners. FloRacing will also show Sunday eliminations, with race fans able to enjoy NHRA racing, alongside the largest grassroots motorsports portfolio in the world with more than 1,800 race events fueling 365-day coverage of NASCAR, short track, sprint cars, dirt, drag racing, late model, and more.

“The NHRA is the crown jewel of drag racing and is going to be a standout addition to a FloRacing portfolio that is quickly becoming an essential destination for drag racing fans,” said Michael Rigsby, GM of FloRacing. “We plan to give fans a deep dive into the sport and its drivers that will extend beyond our live streaming coverage.”