The FIA and FIA WEC have confirmed that the scheduled rounds in Qatar and Bahrain will no longer take place this season, with ongoing regional developments creating uncertainty around freight movements and travel arrangements.
Instead, the championship will remain in Europe for its final two races. Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya will host the inaugural 6 Hours of Barcelona on 16–18 October, before the 2026 FIA WEC season concludes at Autodromo Nazionale Monza on 6–8 November.
It is a significant late-season change for a championship that was originally expected to finish its campaign in the Middle East.
Qatar and Bahrain Dropped From the 2026 FIA WEC Calendar
Qatar and Bahrain were due to form the closing chapter of the 2026 WEC season, but the logistical implications of the ongoing regional situation have ultimately made that plan impossible.
The decision is particularly significant for Bahrain, which has become closely associated with the WEC season finale over the years, while Qatar has established itself on the calendar through the Qatar 1812km at Lusail International Circuit.
According to the championship, multiple options had been explored in an effort to preserve both events.
The final decision was ultimately driven by safety, freight and travel considerations, while the timing of the announcement gives manufacturers and teams enough time to reorganise their end-of-season logistics.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem stressed that safety remained the determining factor.
“I am incredibly proud of the collaboration that will enable Barcelona and Monza to host FIA World Endurance Championship rounds later this year. The FIA has worked closely with our partners in Qatar and Bahrain in recent months to explore every option to preserve both events this season, but due to the ongoing situation in the region, the safety of our teams, colleagues and motorsport fans remains our highest priority. These are never easy decisions, but protecting the wellbeing of our motorsport community will always come first.
My thanks to all of our Member Clubs who have helped to make these updates possible, Lusail International Circuit, Bahrain International Circuit and our championship colleagues whose partnership and support throughout this process reflects the very best of our sport. Our thoughts are with all those affected by the situation in the region, and we look forward to returning when circumstances allow.”
Barcelona Will Host Its First FIA WEC Race
The reshuffle brings a completely new event to the World Endurance Championship.
Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya will host the inaugural 6 Hours of Barcelona on 16–18 October. The Spanish circuit is hardly unfamiliar territory for international motorsport, but its addition to the WEC calendar creates a new challenge for the championship’s Hypercar and LMGT3 machinery.
More importantly, Barcelona gives WEC a European replacement that can be incorporated into the calendar without the substantial freight operation required to move the entire paddock to another region.
After Barcelona, the championship will travel to Italy for its final showdown.
Monza Returns to Host the 2026 WEC Season Finale
Autodromo Nazionale Monza will stage the final race of the 2026 FIA WEC season from 6–8 November.
Few circuits suit the character of endurance racing quite like Monza. Its long straights, heavy braking zones and relentless emphasis on efficiency will now provide the backdrop for the championship decider.
The return also puts one of Europe’s most historic circuits in the most important slot of the WEC calendar: the season finale.
ACO President Pierre Fillon described the situation in the Middle East as exceptionally complex and reiterated that the championship intends to return to both Qatar and Bahrain in 2027.
“We are navigating an exceptionally complex period in the Middle East. Together with Frédéric Lequien, we have been monitoring developments on a daily basis and working closely and transparently with all stakeholders to identity the best possible solution.
The ACO has built strong and lasting relationships with governments, motorsport federations, promoters and partners across the Middle East. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to our colleagues in Qatar and Bahrain for their remarkable commitment and for the considerable efforts they have made over recent weeks in an attempt to preserve these two events.
We are deeply disappointed that we will not be able to race in Qatar and Bahrain this year. These countries have become important members of the FIA World Endurance Championship family, and I want to be very clear – we are fully committed to returning to both venues in 2027 as scheduled. We already look forward to being reunited with our partners and fans there.
In the meantime, I would also like to thank Barcelona and Monza for their responsiveness and for welcoming the World Championship at such short notice. I have no doubt that both circuits will provide an outstanding stage for endurance racing.”
A Decision WEC Could No Longer Delay
For WEC, changing two international rounds is much more complicated than simply finding two available circuits.
The championship must move cars, equipment, personnel and technical infrastructure around the world, while manufacturers and teams operate their own tightly planned freight programmes. Any uncertainty around the final races therefore has consequences well beyond the race weekends themselves.
FIA WEC CEO Frédéric Lequien confirmed that the logistical deadline had become a major factor in making the call now.
“We have been closely monitoring developments in the Middle East over recent months. A few weeks ago, we were optimistic about being able to race in Qatar and Bahrain, but unfortunately, the present situation obliges us to switch to an alternative plan.
We have duly resolved to replace those two end-of-season rounds with Barcelona and Monza.
Logistically, it was imperative to take this decision now to allow manufacturers, teams and the FIA WEC organisation to make all necessary arrangements.
I would like to warmly thank Qatar and Bahrain for their understanding in these times. We have been in constant dialogue with both tracks and their national federations, and are proud of the close, long-standing relationships we have built in the Middle East. They are hugely important and well-established events in FIA WEC, and will remain so for many years to come.”
Qatar and Bahrain Expect WEC to Return in 2027
The cancellation does not signal the end of either event’s relationship with the championship.
Qatar Motor & Motorcycle Federation President and Lusail International Circuit President Abdulrahman bin Abdullatif Al Mannai confirmed that the partnership remains intact despite losing the 2026 Qatar 1812km.
“We fully respect the decision taken by FIA WEC to call off this year’s Qatar 1812km. Our commitment to this partnership remains as strong as ever, and we look forward to working closely with both the FIA and FIA WEC to deliver an exceptional event when the championship returns to Lusail International Circuit.
We are grateful to our fans, partners, teams and the wider motorsport community for their continued support, understanding and confidence. We look forward to welcoming everyone back in the near future.”
Bahrain International Circuit Chief Executive Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa offered a similar message.
“Over recent weeks, we have been in close coordination with our colleagues at FIA WEC and other stakeholders.
Whilst we are naturally disappointed not to be hosting the pinnacle of world endurance racing in 2026, we support the decision, which is in the best interests of all involved.
On behalf of all of us at BIC, I thank the entire FIA WEC community for their support and we look forward to welcoming the return of the series next year, together with fans from all around the world.”
For 2026, however, WEC’s title fight is officially staying in Europe.
Barcelona will provide a completely new chapter on 16–18 October. Three weeks later, Monza will decide the championship on 6–8 November.
Two Middle Eastern rounds have disappeared from the calendar, two of Europe’s major circuits have stepped in at short notice, and the road to the 2026 FIA WEC titles now ends at the Temple of Speed.
