Liberty Media Corporation Reports First Quarter 2026 Financial and Operating Results
-
Formula 1
-
For the quarter, F1 revenue increased 53% to
$617 million , operating income was$107 million and Adjusted OIBDA(2) increased 102% to$172 million , largely from a combination of strong underlying growth, the effect of one extra race held during the quarter and the impact of the expected calendar on revenue and cost recognition - Announced the return of the Turkish Grand Prix starting in 2027 in a new multi-year agreement
-
Extended Salesforce and
Allwyn partnerships and entered into new multi-year sponsorship agreements with Marsh, FanDuel and Betway -
Extended broadcast agreements with Sky in the
UK andItaly ,Foxtel inAustralia and beIN in pan-Asia -
Did not hold
Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grands Prix in April due to geopolitical tensions
-
For the quarter, F1 revenue increased 53% to
-
MotoGP
-
For the quarter, MotoGP revenue increased 25% to
$94 million , operating loss was$24 million and Adjusted OIBDA(2) increased 60% to$16 million on a pro-forma basis as if the acquisition closed onJanuary 1, 2024 (3), with three races held in each quarter -
Renewed with ServusTV in
Austria through 2030 - Entered into new multi-year, exclusive partnership with Quint to operate all of MotoGP’s premium hospitality offerings
- Postponed Qatar Grand Prix to November due to geopolitical tensions
-
For the quarter, MotoGP revenue increased 25% to
“Liberty Media is off to a strong start in 2026, with sustained momentum across Formula 1 and the implementation of our long-term strategy for MotoGP. Formula 1 continues to demonstrate the strength of its global platform, with growing audiences and deepening fan engagement driving robust demand across all commercial elements. We are excited by the meaningful opportunities to expand MotoGP’s commercial reach over time. We remain focused on disciplined execution, investing behind our world-class brands and evaluating avenues for capital deployment to deliver long-term value for our shareholders,” said
Discussion of Results
Unless otherwise noted, the following discussion compares financial information for the three months ended
The following table provides the financial results of
Liberty Media’s most significant subsidiaries are F1 and MotoGP. Quint was consolidated in the results presented below until the split-off of
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Three months ended |
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|
|
2025 |
|
2026 |
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|
|
|
amounts in millions (unaudited) |
||||||
|
Revenue |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Formula 1 |
|
$ |
403 |
|
|
$ |
617 |
|
|
MotoGP |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
94 |
|
|
Corporate and other |
|
|
53 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
Elimination |
|
|
(9 |
) |
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
Consolidated Liberty |
|
$ |
447 |
|
|
$ |
711 |
|
|
Operating Income (Loss) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Formula 1 |
|
$ |
(28 |
) |
|
$ |
107 |
|
|
MotoGP |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(24 |
) |
|
Corporate and other |
|
|
(39 |
) |
|
|
(19 |
) |
|
Consolidated Liberty |
|
$ |
(67 |
) |
|
$ |
64 |
|
|
Adjusted OIBDA (Loss) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Formula 1 |
|
$ |
85 |
|
|
$ |
172 |
|
|
MotoGP |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
16 |
|
|
Corporate and other |
|
|
(12 |
) |
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
Consolidated Liberty |
|
$ |
73 |
|
|
$ |
181 |
|
F1 Operating Results
“We had a thrilling start to the season, both on and off the track, with increased overtaking and a highly competitive early season. We continue to see positive momentum across our business, including a strong start to our partnership with Apple in the
The following table provides the operating results of F1.
|
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Three months ended |
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|
|
|
||||||||
|
|
2025 |
|
2026 |
|
% Change |
|||||||
|
|
$ amounts in millions (unaudited) |
|
|
|
||||||||
|
Number of races in period |
|
2 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
Primary Formula 1 revenue |
$ |
319 |
|
|
$ |
496 |
|
|
55 |
|
% |
|
|
Other Formula 1 revenue |
|
84 |
|
|
|
121 |
|
|
44 |
|
% |
|
|
Total motorsport revenue |
$ |
403 |
|
|
$ |
617 |
|
|
53 |
|
% |
|
|
Operating expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
Team payments, excluding Concorde incentive payments |
|
(114 |
) |
|
|
(184 |
) |
|
(61 |
) |
% |
|
|
Other cost of motorsport revenue |
|
(128 |
) |
|
|
(176 |
) |
|
(38 |
) |
% |
|
|
Cost of motorsport revenue, excluding Concorde incentive payments |
$ |
(242 |
) |
|
$ |
(360 |
) |
|
(49 |
) |
% |
|
|
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
|
(76 |
) |
|
|
(85 |
) |
|
(12 |
) |
% |
|
|
Adjusted OIBDA |
$ |
85 |
|
|
$ |
172 |
|
|
102 |
|
% |
|
|
Concorde incentive payments |
|
(50 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
NM |
|
|
|
|
Stock-based compensation |
|
— |
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
NM |
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization(a) |
|
(63 |
) |
|
|
(64 |
) |
|
(2 |
) |
% |
|
|
Operating income (loss) |
$ |
(28 |
) |
|
$ |
107 |
|
|
NM |
|
|
|
| ______________________ | ||
|
a) |
|
Includes |
Primary F1 revenue represents the majority of F1’s revenue and is derived from (i) race promotion fees, (ii) media rights fees and (iii) sponsorship fees.
There were three races held in the first quarter of 2026 compared to two races held in the first quarter of 2025. The 2026 calendar is expected to have 22 races, 2 fewer events than were held in 2025, which will impact the year-over-year revenue and cost comparisons on a quarterly basis in addition to proportionate recognition of season-based revenue. The two fewer events scheduled are due to not holding the
Primary F1 revenue increased in the three months ended
Other F1 revenue increased in the first quarter primarily due to higher hospitality, freight and travel revenue from one additional event held. Hospitality revenue also grew due to growth in underlying
Operating income and Adjusted OIBDA(2) grew during the first quarter driven by revenue growth outpacing higher expenses. Team payments increased due to the pro rata recognition of team payments, with one more race held during the quarter in addition to the higher proportionate recognition of team payments due to the aforementioned expected reduction in races to be held this year (3 out of 22 races recognized during the current quarter compared to 2 out of 24 races recognized in the prior year period).
Other cost of F1 motorsport revenue is largely variable in nature and derived from servicing both Primary and Other F1 revenue opportunities. These costs increased during the first quarter primarily due to higher hospitality costs from one additional
MotoGP Operating Results
“The start of our season has reinforced the strength of MotoGP as a highly competitive championship with exciting racing to date, including unpredictable results such as Jorge Martin’s comeback and continuous, thrilling on-track action. Our focus remains on scaling globally as we continue investing across all commercial functions,” said
The following table provides the pro forma operating results of MotoGP for the three months ended
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Three months ended |
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2025 |
|
2026 |
|
|
|
|
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|
|
pro forma |
|
actual |
|
% Change |
|
% Constant |
||||||||
|
|
$ amounts in millions (unaudited) |
|
USD |
|
Currency |
||||||||||
|
Number of races in period |
|
3 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
Primary MotoGP revenue |
$ |
64 |
|
|
$ |
83 |
|
|
30 |
|
% |
|
|
|
|
|
Other MotoGP revenue |
|
11 |
|
|
|
11 |
|
|
— |
|
% |
|
|
|
|
|
Total motorsport revenue |
$ |
75 |
|
|
$ |
94 |
|
|
25 |
|
% |
|
13 |
% |
|
|
Operating expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
Cost of motorsport revenue |
|
(50 |
) |
|
|
(59 |
) |
|
(18 |
) |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
|
(15 |
) |
|
|
(19 |
) |
|
(27 |
) |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted OIBDA |
$ |
10 |
|
|
$ |
16 |
|
|
60 |
|
% |
|
56 |
% |
|
|
Depreciation and amortization(a) |
|
(34 |
) |
|
|
(40 |
) |
|
(18 |
) |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income (loss) |
$ |
(24 |
) |
|
$ |
(24 |
) |
|
— |
|
% |
|
17 |
% |
|
The majority of MotoGP’s revenue and costs are Euro-denominated and as such are subject to translational impacts from foreign exchange fluctuations. For constant currency comparison, MotoGP calculates the effects of changes in currency exchange rates as the difference between current period activity translated using the prior period’s currency exchange rates. The table of results above includes both US dollar and constant currency(4) growth rates for revenue, Adjusted OIBDA and Operating income (loss). Unless otherwise stated, the following discussion of results is based on constant currency results.
Primary MotoGP revenue represents the majority of MotoGP’s revenue and is derived from (i) race promotion fees, (ii) media rights fees and (iii) sponsorship fees.
There were three races held in the first quarter of 2026 compared to three races held in the first quarter of 2025. The 2026 calendar is scheduled to have the same number of events but a different order and mix of events compared to the prior year, which will impact season-based revenue recognition.
Primary MotoGP revenue increased in the three months ended
Other MotoGP revenue represents revenue generated from other motorcycle racing championships, including the FIM World Superbike Championship, MotoGP hospitality and experience programs and other licensing opportunities. Other MotoGP revenue declined during the three months ended
Operating loss and Adjusted OIBDA both increased during the first quarter. Cost of MotoGP motorsport revenue grew primarily due to higher freight costs associated with freight movements required as a result of the different order of MotoGP events in addition to increased fuel costs. Selling, general and administrative expense increased during the quarter driven by personnel and professional service fees.
Corporate and Other Operating Results
Corporate and Other operating income and Adjusted OIBDA includes the rental income related to
Share Repurchases
There were no repurchases of Liberty Media’s common stock from
FOOTNOTES
|
1) |
|
|
|
2) |
For a definition of Adjusted OIBDA (as defined by |
|
|
3) |
Unless otherwise noted, results reflect MotoGP performance subsequent to the acquisition, which closed on |
|
|
4) |
For a definition of constant currency operating results, see the accompanying schedules. Applicable reconciliations can be found in the financial table in the section entitled “MotoGP Operating Results” in this press release. |
NOTES
Cash and Debt
The following presentation is provided to separately identify cash and debt information.
|
(amounts in millions) |
|
|
|
|
||
|
Total Consolidated Cash and Cash Equivalents (GAAP)(a) |
|
$ |
1,055 |
|
$ |
1,332 |
|
Less: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Debt: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.25% convertible notes due 2027(b) |
|
|
475 |
|
475 |
|
|
Formula 1 senior loan facilities |
|
|
3,350 |
|
3,340 |
|
|
MotoGP credit facilities |
|
|
1,173 |
|
1,151 |
|
|
Other corporate level debt |
|
|
24 |
|
23 |
|
|
Total Debt |
|
$ |
5,022 |
|
$ |
4,989 |
|
Fair market value adjustment and deferred financing costs |
|
|
78 |
|
32 |
|
|
Total Debt (GAAP) |
|
$ |
5,100 |
|
$ |
5,021 |
|
Formula 1 leverage(c) |
|
|
2.8x |
|
2.3x |
|
|
MotoGP leverage(d) |
|
|
4.7x |
|
4.7x |
|
|
Consolidated leverage(e) |
|
|
3.6x |
|
3.0x |
|
| ______________________ | ||
|
a) |
|
Includes |
|
b) |
|
Face amount of the convertible notes with no fair market value adjustment. |
|
c) |
|
Net leverage as defined in F1’s credit facilities for covenant calculations. |
|
d) |
|
Net leverage as defined in MotoGP’s credit facilities for covenant calculations. |
|
e) |
Total consolidated |
|
F1 and MotoGP are in compliance with their debt covenants as of
Total cash and cash equivalents increased
Important Notice:
This press release includes certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements about business strategies, future financial performance and prospects, the Formula 1 and MotoGP race calendars, expectations regarding Formula 1’s and MotoGP’s businesses and other matters that are not historical facts. These forward-looking statements involve many risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements, including, without limitation, consumer demand for live entertainment and sporting Events, the assumptions and historical information used in the pro forma financial information of MotoGP, regulatory matters affecting our businesses, geopolitical unrest, the unfavorable outcome of future litigation, the failure to realize benefits of acquisitions, failure of third parties to perform, and changes in law. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and
|
BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION
|
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|
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|
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|
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|
|
|
|
|||
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|
|
2026 |
|
2025 |
|||
|
|
|
amounts in millions |
|||||
|
Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Current assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
1,332 |
|
|
1,055 |
|
|
Trade and other receivables, net |
|
|
262 |
|
|
115 |
|
|
Contract assets |
|
|
165 |
|
|
114 |
|
|
Other current assets |
|
|
198 |
|
|
89 |
|
|
Total current assets |
|
|
1,957 |
|
|
1,373 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Property and equipment, at cost |
|
|
1,097 |
|
|
1,087 |
|
|
Accumulated depreciation |
|
|
(236 |
) |
|
(219 |
) |
|
|
|
|
861 |
|
|
868 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
6,959 |
|
|
7,025 |
|
|
Intangible assets subject to amortization, net |
|
|
4,955 |
|
|
5,102 |
|
|
Deferred income tax assets |
|
|
535 |
|
|
539 |
|
|
Other assets |
|
|
625 |
|
|
491 |
|
|
Total assets |
|
$ |
15,892 |
|
|
15,398 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Liabilities and Equity |
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Current liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
|
|
524 |
|
|
575 |
|
|
Current portion of debt |
|
|
53 |
|
|
52 |
|
|
Deferred revenue |
|
|
819 |
|
|
263 |
|
|
Other current liabilities |
|
|
57 |
|
|
49 |
|
|
Total current liabilities |
|
|
1,453 |
|
|
939 |
|
|
Long-term debt |
|
|
4,968 |
|
|
5,048 |
|
|
Deferred income tax liabilities |
|
|
644 |
|
|
656 |
|
|
Other liabilities |
|
|
422 |
|
|
305 |
|
|
Total liabilities |
|
|
7,487 |
|
|
6,948 |
|
|
Redeemable noncontrolling interests in equity of subsidiary |
|
|
674 |
|
|
693 |
|
|
Total equity |
|
|
7,731 |
|
|
7,757 |
|
|
Total liabilities and equity |
|
$ |
15,892 |
|
|
15,398 |
|
|
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS INFORMATION
Three months ended |
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Three months ended |
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2026 |
|
2025 |
|||
|
|
|
amounts in millions |
|||||
|
Revenue: |
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Motorsport revenue |
|
$ |
711 |
|
|
400 |
|
|
Other revenue |
|
|
— |
|
|
47 |
|
|
Total revenue |
|
|
711 |
|
|
447 |
|
|
Operating costs and expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Cost of motorsport revenue (exclusive of depreciation shown separately below) |
|
|
413 |
|
|
286 |
|
|
Other cost of sales |
|
|
— |
|
|
39 |
|
|
Selling, general and administrative (1) |
|
|
122 |
|
|
101 |
|
|
Acquisition costs |
|
|
— |
|
|
11 |
|
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
112 |
|
|
77 |
|
|
|
|
|
647 |
|
|
514 |
|
|
Operating income (loss) |
|
|
64 |
|
|
(67 |
) |
|
Other income (expense): |
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Interest expense |
|
|
(68 |
) |
|
(48 |
) |
|
Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net |
|
|
57 |
|
|
75 |
|
|
Other, net |
|
|
5 |
|
|
31 |
|
|
|
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
58 |
|
|
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes |
|
|
58 |
|
|
(9 |
) |
|
Income tax (expense) benefit |
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
26 |
|
|
Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations |
|
|
53 |
|
|
17 |
|
|
Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations |
|
|
— |
|
|
(12 |
) |
|
Net earnings (loss) |
|
|
53 |
|
|
5 |
|
|
Less net earnings (loss) attributable to the redeemable noncontrolling interests |
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
— |
|
|
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty stockholders |
|
$ |
57 |
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
(1) Includes stock-based compensation expense as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Selling, general and administrative |
|
$ |
5 |
|
|
2 |
|
|
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS INFORMATION
Three months ended |
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|
Three months ended |
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|
2026 |
|
2025 |
|||
|
|
|
amounts in millions |
|||||
|
Cash flows from operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Net earnings (loss) |
|
$ |
53 |
|
|
5 |
|
|
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
(Earnings) loss from discontinued operations |
|
|
— |
|
|
12 |
|
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
112 |
|
|
77 |
|
|
Stock-based compensation |
|
|
5 |
|
|
2 |
|
|
Realized and unrealized (gains) losses on financial instruments, net |
|
|
(57 |
) |
|
(75 |
) |
|
Deferred income tax expense (benefit) |
|
|
6 |
|
|
(27 |
) |
|
Other, net |
|
|
8 |
|
|
2 |
|
|
Changes in operating assets and liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Current and other assets |
|
|
(279 |
) |
|
(143 |
) |
|
Payables and other liabilities |
|
|
509 |
|
|
538 |
|
|
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities |
|
|
357 |
|
|
391 |
|
|
Cash flows from investing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Investments in equity method affiliates and debt and equity securities |
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
(5 |
) |
|
Cash (paid) received for acquisitions, net of cash acquired |
|
|
— |
|
|
(131 |
) |
|
Capital expended for property and equipment, including internal-use software and website development |
|
|
(20 |
) |
|
(33 |
) |
|
Other investing activities, net |
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
(11 |
) |
|
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities |
|
|
(25 |
) |
|
(180 |
) |
|
Cash flows from financing activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Repayments of debt |
|
|
(13 |
) |
|
(6 |
) |
|
Other financing activities, net |
|
|
(39 |
) |
|
(7 |
) |
|
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities |
|
|
(52 |
) |
|
(13 |
) |
|
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash |
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
4 |
|
|
Net cash provided (used) by discontinued operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Cash provided (used) by operating activities |
|
|
— |
|
|
(10 |
) |
|
Cash provided (used) by investing activities |
|
|
— |
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
Net cash provided (used) by discontinued operations |
|
|
— |
|
|
(11 |
) |
|
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash |
|
|
277 |
|
|
191 |
|
|
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period |
|
|
1,055 |
|
|
2,963 |
|
|
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period |
|
$ |
1,332 |
|
|
3,154 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
1,332 |
|
|
2,833 |
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents included in current assets of discontinued operations |
|
|
— |
|
|
314 |
|
|
Restricted cash included in other current assets |
|
|
— |
|
|
7 |
|
|
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period |
|
$ |
1,332 |
|
|
3,154 |
|
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES AND SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES
SCHEDULE 1
To provide investors with additional information regarding our financial results, this press release includes a presentation of Adjusted OIBDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, together with reconciliations to operating income, as determined under GAAP.
The following table provides a reconciliation of Adjusted OIBDA for
QUARTERLY SUMMARY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended |
|||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|
2025 |
|
2026 |
|||
|
Operating income (loss) |
|
$ |
(67 |
) |
|
$ |
64 |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
77 |
|
|
|
112 |
|
Stock compensation expense |
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
Acquisition costs(a) |
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Concorde incentive payments |
|
|
50 |
|
|
|
— |
|
Adjusted OIBDA |
|
$ |
73 |
|
|
$ |
181 |
| ______________________ | ||
|
a) |
|
|
SCHEDULE 2
This press release also references operating results on a constant currency basis, which is a non-GAAP measure, for MotoGP. Constant currency operating results, as presented herein, are calculated as the difference between current period activity translated using the prior period’s currency exchange rates.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260506436622/en/
Source: