The Michelin 24H Series will race in South Africa for the first time in January 2027, with Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit confirmed to host a 24-hour event from 8–10 January.
The move will see the championship’s traditional Dubai fixture relocated to South Africa amid ongoing uncertainty in the Gulf region and the resulting impact on logistics, transport planning and operational costs.
For Kyalami, the event marks the return of major international endurance racing for the first time since 2023 and adds another high-profile chapter to the circuit’s long-distance racing history.
Dubai Event Relocates to Kyalami
Promoter CREVENTIC has revised its winter calendar following continued uncertainty across the Gulf region.
Rather than stage the Michelin 24H Dubai in its usual form, the championship will move the January race to Kyalami, giving the series its first event on the African continent.
The South African round is scheduled for 8–10 January 2027.
The decision also creates a significant milestone for local motorsport, with Kyalami set to host the country’s first international 24-hour race under the Michelin 24H Series banner.
Why Kyalami Was Chosen
Kyalami offers a very different challenge to the circuits traditionally associated with the 24H Series.
The Midrand venue is defined by elevation change, blind crests and fast, flowing corners, creating a demanding rhythm across a full endurance stint.
That character should place a strong emphasis on consistency, tyre management and driver adaptation over 24 hours.
The venue also brings the infrastructure required for a large international endurance event, including 40 secure pit garages and extensive hospitality facilities.
International Endurance Racing Returns to South Africa
Kyalami has long held an important place in South African motorsport, and the arrival of the Michelin 24H Series brings international endurance competition back to the circuit after a four-year absence.
The 2027 event will therefore carry significance beyond the championship itself.
It places South Africa back on the calendar for a major global endurance series and gives teams a new technical environment at a circuit very different from the championship’s more established winter venues.
A Major Shift for the 24H Series
The relocation represents one of the most significant changes to the Michelin 24H Series calendar in recent years.
Dubai has been one of the championship’s defining events, but the move to Kyalami reflects the operational pressure created by current regional conditions.
At the same time, it opens a new market for the series and gives Kyalami another opportunity to re-establish itself as a destination for top-level international endurance racing.
The first Michelin 24H Series event at Kyalami will take place from 8–10 January 2027.
