The 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship calendar has been revealed on the eve of the 93rd edition of the Le Mans 24 Hours. It features eight rounds, on the same set of circuits, in the same order as in 2025.
The season will kick off once again in Qatar with a pre-season Prologue test and a 1812km race. The key change here is a shift in dates from February this year to 28 March in 2026 due to Ramadan. This means the prologue overlaps with IMSA’s Sebring 12 Hours.
The teams will then head to Europe for three rounds, with two six-hour races at Imola and Spa-Francorchamps in April and May, before the Le Mans 24 Hours on June 13th and 14th, which clashes with the Formula One Spanish Grand Prix.
A month later, the teams will head back to São Paulo in July for a second consecutive year. Then, after a summer break, Circuit of the Americas will host Lone Star Le Mans in September on Labor Day weekend, ensuring Austin remains the home of the WEC in North America for a third straight year.
The final stretch of the season features visits to the Fuji Speedway in Japan for a six-hour race and Bahrain for the traditional eight-hour finale.
As expected, following consultation with the teams, the WEC organisers decided against expanding the calendar to nine or more races, meaning the wait continues for British fans hoping for a return to Silverstone.
In keeping the scheduled venues identical to 2025, the WEC has extended its relationship with CoTA beyond the initial two-year deal to keep the WEC’s annual visit to the USA in Texas.
“We are excited to again bring the thrills of WEC to the USA. The manufacturers who participate in this endurance racing world championship represent the greatest in automotive technology and competition,” CoTA’s VP of Motorsports, Andy Soucek, told DSC in reaction to the extension.
“There’s no greater place to race than COTA, and it’s always fun to see the international collection of drivers and fans enjoying their time at the track and in Austin.”
“All these destinations are well known and we are well hosted by these countries,” remarked Frédéric Lequien, the FIA World Endurance Championship CEO.
2026 FIA WEC Calendar
- 22-23 March: Official Prologue (QAT)
- 28 March: Qatar 1812km (QAT)
- 19 April: 6 Hours of Imola (ITA)
- 9 May: 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps (BEL)
- 13/14 June: 24 Hours of Le Mans (FRA)
- 12 July: 6 Hours of São Paulo (BRA)
- 6 September: Lone Star Le Mans (USA)
- 27 September: 6 Hours of Fuji (JPN)
- 7 November: 8 Hours of Bahrain (BAH)
Whilst the delayed Qatar season opener is on the weekend following the 12 Hours of Sebring, the IMSA event does abut with the WEC Prologue that takes place on the Sunday/ Monday (22/23 March) after the IMSA race (Sat 21 March).
There is though a direct clash between the WEC race weekend at Imola on 17-19 April and the Long Beach Grand Prix.
Frédéric Lequien, CEO, FIA World Endurance Championship, said: “We are pleased to present our 2026 FIA WEC calendar, which reflects the series’ success by building upon a winning formula and format. All eight events have established themselves as firm favourites amongst competitors and fans. Every circuit offers its own unique characteristics and challenges, and invariably brings out the best from our incredible drivers, cars and teams. We look forward to continuing to put on a thrilling show all around the world!”
Pierre Fillon, President, Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO), said: “We are thrilled by the growth of the FIA World Endurance Championship in recent years, a large part of which can be attributed to the series’ stability in terms of partners, participants and venues. FIA WEC offers an irresistible platform for manufacturers eager to do battle for supremacy, and the 2026 calendar will once again enable them to showcase their skills and ingenuity to a highly-invested global audience.”
Richard Mille, President, FIA Endurance Commission, said: “After a period of expansion, including the addition of an eighth round in 2024, the FIA World Endurance Championship enters a phase of consolidation and stability with next season’s calendar. The schedule continues to feature world-class circuits across key regions, striking the right balance between global exposure for manufacturers and the need to keep participation costs at a reasonable level. This stability lays a strong foundation for the continued success of the Hypercar class and supports the sustained growth of the world’s premier endurance racing series.”
