The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) has confirmed the global calendar for its major world championships in 2026, reinforcing the Middle East’s role as a key destination for international motorsport. The announcements were made during the FIA World Motor Sport Council meeting in Macau, led by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
The Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will remain the final round of the season, taking place at Yas Marina Circuit from 4th to 6th December 2026. This event will feature the debut of the next generation of F1 cars, which will operate using fully sustainable fuel. The initiative is part of a broader push within the sport toward environmental responsibility and long-term innovation.
The 2026 Formula 1 calendar will also include three additional races in the Middle East. Bahrain will host its Grand Prix from 10th to 12th April, followed by Saudi Arabia from 17th to 19th April, and Qatar from 27th to 29th November. These events reflect the region’s continued importance in the global motorsport schedule.
Formula E will return to Saudi Arabia with a back-to-back race weekend in Jeddah on 13th and 14th February. Meanwhile, the Formula 2 Championship will include four races in the Middle East, aligned with the Formula 1 weekends in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi. Bahrain is also scheduled to host one of the ten rounds of the Formula 3 Championship.
In the realm of rallying, Saudi Arabia will once again open the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship with the Dakar Rally, running from 3rd to 17th January 2026. The Rallye du Maroc will be staged from 28th September to 3rd October, and the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge is scheduled for 22nd to 27th November, further anchoring the region’s role in endurance rally events.
The FIA also confirmed regulatory progress on the WRC27 ruleset, which will govern World Rally Championship vehicles through to 2037. The finalized framework introduces a flexible design volume for bodywork, allowing manufacturers to adapt various vehicle styles without affecting competitive performance.
These developments reflect a focused strategy by the FIA to support sustainability, technological evolution, and regional expansion across its major championships. The 2026 calendar highlights both innovation in motorsport and the increasing influence of Middle Eastern venues on the global stage. – By MENA Newswire News Desk.