WEC announces unchanged calendar for 2026, Le Mans clashes with Barcelona F1 race

The World Endurance Championship calendar will remain at eight races in 2026, with an unchanged roster of events that leaves no room for Silverstone, while the Le Mans 24 Hours clashes with Formula 1’s Barcelona race.

It was announced on Friday during the traditional press conference held by the Automobile Club de l’Quest, which co-organises the WEC with the FIA, that next year’s schedule will again commence in Qatar with an 1812km race.

The race will be held one month later than in 2025, on 28 March, due to the Islamic holiday, Ramadan, taking place earlier in the calendar year.

Imola will again host the first of a three-race European leg of the season, with Spa assuming its usual slot as a warm-up event for Le Mans.

The calendar’s blue ribband event will be held on the 13-14 June, the same weekend as F1’s Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix.

Trips to Brazil and Austin follow, before the season closes out with visits to Fuji and the championship finale in Bahrain on 7 November.

“We are pleased to present our 2026 FIA WEC calendar, which reflects the series’ success by building upon a winning formula and format,” WEC boss Frederic Lequien said.

“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!”

Silverstone’s return to the European Le Mans Series, run by the ACO, this year had been part of a concerted effort to secure a WEC calendar berth for the first time since the COVID-affected 2019-20 season.

But comments made by Lequien in April, reported by Autosport, appeared to dash the British Grand Prix venue’s hopes in favour of maintaining a stable calendar. The WEC has operated an eight-race schedule since 2024, having last run nine events in 2017.

ACO President Pierre Fillon said “a large part” of the WEC’s recent growth could “be attributed to the series’ stability in terms of partners, participants and venues”.

The FIA’s Endurance Commission president Richard Mille added: “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.”

2026 World Endurance Championship calendar

28 March Qatar 1812 km
19 April 6 Hours of Imola
9 May 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps
13–14 June 24 Hours of Le Mans
12 July 6 Hours of Sao Paulo
6 September Lone Star Le Mans
27 September 6 Hours of Fuji
7 November 8 Hours of Bahrain