The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) has announced a landmark long-term commercial rights agreement for the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) and the FIA European Rally Championship (ERC), ushering in a new era for rallying through a partnership with French automotive technology platform Cosmobilis and London-based private credit investor Park Square Capital.
The agreement, described by the FIA as the largest commercial transaction in the history of both championships, follows the acquisition of WRC Promoter GmbH by the two firms. The investment is aimed at accelerating the global growth of the WRC and ERC by expanding their international audience, enhancing fan engagement, strengthening commercial partnerships and establishing a new FIA Growth Fund to support grassroots initiatives and the long-term development of rallying worldwide.
As part of the new ownership structure, former Formula 1 team principal Éric Boullier has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of WRC Promoter. Boullier will lead the commercial strategy for both championships, focusing on enhancing the global appeal of rallying, driving digital innovation and elevating the overall event experience for fans, teams and stakeholders.
Commenting on the agreement, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the FIA, said, “This is truly the deal of the century for rallying, and I am proud to announce this transformative step forward and never-before-seen levels of investment. Not only will it deliver real benefits to fans, competitors and our member clubs worldwide, but this investment signifies confidence in the future of our sport as its global popularity continues to grow.
“The future of our championships is at the heart of every decision we make, and we have ensured that we not only secure the right partner for today, but one who shares our long-term vision. My thanks to FIA Deputy President for Sport, Malcolm Wilson OBE and his dedicated team for delivering this, and I am looking forward to working closely with our new promoter.
“Rallying is a huge part of my personal story; it has shaped who I am and how I work, and I am deeply committed to its future. This is an important moment for our sport, and as we enter a new era I am proud that we have a new partner in place to help us drive forward the bright future of these championships.”
Jean-Louis Mosca, Chairman and CEO of Cosmobilis, added, “This acquisition marks a major milestone in Cosmobilis’ transformation. Since our creation, our ambition has been to build a group capable of connecting the entire automotive ecosystem through technology, data, and value-creating platforms. The WRC and the ERC represent a tremendous acceleration of this strategy. We are not merely acquiring the commercial rights to a world championship: we are building an international platform where manufacturers, partners, media, technology, and fans come together. Our goal is clear: to make the WRC the global benchmark for motorsport while creating a driver of sustainable growth for the entire Cosmobilis ecosystem.”
Martino Ghezzi, Partner at Park Square Capital, continued, “The WRC and ERC are iconic championships with exceptional heritage and global appeal. We are delighted to provide both capital and strategic support to realise their significant potential and look forward to partnering with Cosmobilis and Éric Boullier on this next chapter. Cosmobilis brings unparalleled expertise and relationships in the automotive sector, while Éric’s extensive experience and deep understanding of global motorsport make him ideally positioned to lead the company through its next phase of growth and development.”
The acquisition combines Cosmobilis’ capabilities in automotive technology, mobility services and digital platforms with Park Square Capital’s investment expertise, creating a platform to accelerate the commercial evolution of the WRC and ERC through enhanced media offerings, new sponsorship opportunities, digital transformation and broader international expansion.
The transaction follows a competitive tender process initiated after previous shareholders Red Bull and KW25 decided to seek a new commercial rights holder. Under the outgoing ownership, the WRC strengthened its international footprint, attracting a cumulative television audience of approximately 1.3 billion and more than four million spectators across its events in 2024.
With new technical regulations set to be introduced in 2027, the FIA believes the fresh investment, commercial expertise and strategic vision brought by Cosmobilis and Park Square Capital will position both the WRC and ERC for sustained global growth while reinforcing rallying’s status as one of the world’s premier motorsport properties.
