WEC Confirms 2026 Calendar with Le Mans F1 Barcelona Clash

The World Endurance Championship will keep its existing schedule of eight races for the 2026 season. Organizers confirmed the calendar would remain the same as in recent years, with no new venues joining the line-up and no return for Silverstone.

The 2026 season will once again begin in Qatar, with the race set for March 28, taking place a month later than in 2025 because of an earlier Ramadan. After the opener, the championship heads to Imola on April 19, continuing its three-race European leg, followed by the six-hour Spa event on May 9.

One major talking point is a clash between two major races. The blue ribband 24 Hours of Le Mans will run across June 13-14, the same weekend as Formula 1 holds its Grand Prix at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

This overlap is likely to force difficult decisions from drivers and teams involved in both championships. It could also impact fans wanting to watch both events.

The remaining WEC rounds will include trips to Sao Paulo on July 12, Lone Star Le Mans in Austin on September 6, the Fuji race on September 27, and the season-finale 8 Hours of Bahrain on November 7.

Frederic Lequien, the boss of the WEC, highlighted the benefits of calendar stability, citing how established venues have become favorites with both drivers and fans. Each circuit on the schedule presents its own challenges, and the continuity helps teams plan and compete at the highest level.

The decision to hold steady with the calendar follows an eighth event being added in 2024. The WEC had run only six or seven races per year for most of the last decade, with the last nine-race campaign taking place in 2017.

While hopes for Silverstone’s return were raised by its inclusion in the 2024 European Le Mans Series, Lequien made it clear earlier in the year that priority would be given to a stable and consistent schedule. This move reflects the desire among stakeholders to keep costs manageable and maintain strong relationships with current venues.

Pierre Fillon, President of the ACO, described the steady calendar as a key part of recent growth, pointing to stability with partners, teams, and race tracks as a factor in the series’ ongoing success.

The FIA’s Endurance Commission, led by Richard Mille, emphasized the balance the current schedule strikes between global coverage for manufacturers and sustainable participation costs for teams. This approach is seen as important for the continued growth of the Hypercar category and the championship as a whole.

High-profile races at cities around the world will again showcase a mix of historic and modern tracks, offering variety through changing conditions and racing formats.

As the WEC heads into another season of stability, fans can anticipate fierce competition across familiar venues. The enduring popularity of Le Mans, coupled with strategic dates for each event, positions the championship for another strong year in 2026.

Teams now have a clear view of the year ahead and can prepare to compete at some of the world’s most challenging endurance racing circuits.