Middle East Secures Key FIA World Championship Races for 2026
The Middle East's stature in the global motorsport arena has been solidified with the confirmation of major world championship events for 2026, announced during the FIA World Motor Sport Council meeting held in Macau.
Chaired by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the council revealed a dynamic calendar of races, including multiple Formula 1, Formula E, Formula 2, and World Rally-Raid Championship events set to take place across the region next year.
The 2026 Formula 1 World Championship, featuring a record-breaking 24 races, will see the debut of next-generation F1 cars powered entirely by sustainable fuels. The Middle East will host four key races in this championship:
-
Bahrain Grand Prix: 10–12 April
-
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix (Jeddah street circuit): 17–19 April
-
Qatar Grand Prix: 27–29 November
-
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (season finale): 4–6 December
In the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, Saudi Arabia will again host double-header races in Jeddah on 13–14 February. Additionally, the 2026 FIA Formula 2 Championship will feature Middle Eastern rounds in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi — all coinciding with their respective F1 weekends.
Off-road rallying also sees a strong Middle East presence in the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship. The legendary Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia will open the season from 3–17 January. Other regional fixtures include the Rally du Maroc (28 September–3 October) and the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge (22–27 November). Bahrain will represent the region in the 2026 FIA Formula 3 Championship as part of its 10-round calendar.
Speaking at the meeting, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said:
“2025 is proving to be an exciting year across all our championships with technological milestones being reached, new talent emerging, and battles being fought on the track and across stages each week. This year is a powerful opportunity for us to innovate and grow.”
He emphasized the FIA's ongoing efforts to evolve motorsport:
“New agreements across our championships are unlocking fresh potential. We are enhancing the level of competition and expanding our global reach. Each race showcases the passion and dedication of our motorsport community.”
The council also approved a significant update for the FIA World Rally Championship, paving the way for a new regulatory era beginning in 2027. The WRC27 ruleset introduces a flexible design framework, defining bodywork zones while allowing manufacturers to explore diverse designs — from saloons and hatchbacks to crossovers and bespoke vehicles. These regulations will remain in effect through to 2037.
The announcement underscores the Middle East’s vital role in the evolution of global motorsport and highlights the region’s ongoing commitment to innovation, sustainability, and elite-level competition.
