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FIA WEC Shifts 2026 Season Finale to Barcelona and Monza
Ongoing regional developments in the Middle East force the championship to relocate its final two rounds from Qatar and Bahrain to Europe.
By Sanne Vermeer - 2026-07-28T12:00:00.000Z - 2 min read
The FIA World Endurance Championship has announced a major revision to the conclusion of its 2026 campaign, dropping the planned visits to Qatar and Bahrain in response to regional developments impacting freight and travel arrangements. Series organizers have turned to European venues to salvage the championship finale, shifting the schedule to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya and Autodromo Nazionale Monza.
Under the revised calendar, the inaugural 6 Hours of Barcelona will take place from 16-18 October. While the circuit has established a strong pedigree hosting the European Le Mans Series and Michelin Le Mans Cup in recent years, the upcoming autumn fixture marks the world championship's first competitive appearance at the Catalan venue.
The season will subsequently conclude at Monza over the weekend of 6-8 November. The historic Italian circuit boasts a relationship with top-tier international endurance racing spanning more than six decades, having previously hosted the World Sportscar Championship alongside a three-year FIA WEC stint from 2021 to 2023.
Frédéric Lequien, CEO of FIA WEC, explained that championship officials had monitored conditions in the Middle East closely while remaining optimistic about preserving the original calendar. However, current logistics ultimately necessitated an alternative approach to protect the end-of-season schedule for manufacturers, teams, and the series organization.
Automobile Club de l'Ouest President Pierre Fillon emphasized that the championship maintains a firm commitment to the Middle East despite the enforced relocation. Both Fillon and Lequien expressed gratitude to their regional partners in Qatar and Bahrain for their cooperation, confirming that current plans anticipate a return to both circuits for the 2027 season.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem highlighted safety as the decisive factor behind the schedule adjustment. Collaborative efforts between the governing body, regional promoters, and championship officials focused on exploring every preservation option before prioritizing the wellbeing of the motorsport community.
Local circuit executives from both Lusail International Circuit and Bahrain International Circuit voiced their support for the necessary changes while affirming the strength of their ongoing partnerships with the FIA and the championship. The calendar adjustments remain formally subject to the approval of the FIA World Motor Sport Council.
Series organizers confirmed that the late-season alterations to the 2026 itinerary have no bearing on the already announced nine-round calendar for the 2027 campaign.