Red Bull Nears Takeover of New F1 Outfit

Red Bull, the energy drink giant dominating Formula 1 with its two teams, is pushing into rugby by snapping up English Premiership side Newcastle Falcons.

Sources close to the deal say the takeover is nearly done, with plans to rename the club Newcastle Red Bulls for the 2025-26 season. This move comes as Falcons grapple with heavy debts, including £14.5 million from Covid loans, and recent losses that threatened their survival.

Red Bull’s entry aims to stabilize the club at Kingston Park, preserving the league’s 10-team setup. It’s a bold step for the brand, already owning football clubs like RB Leipzig and Red Bull Salzburg, plus F1 outfits Oracle Red Bull Racing and Visa Cash App RB.

In F1 this year, Red Bull leads the constructors’ standings, with Max Verstappen chasing a fifth straight drivers’ title alongside Sergio Pérez. The sister team features Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda.

Rugby insiders see this as a chance to boost Falcons’ profile, drawing on Red Bull’s marketing muscle to attract fans and talent. Premiership Rugby has welcomed the investment, especially after the collapse of clubs like Wasps and Worcester.

Details on the exact financials remain under wraps, but Red Bull is set to clear the club’s £39 million debt pile. An official announcement could drop soon, marking rugby’s latest corporate shake-up.