As the series continues to go from strength to strength – with record-breaking trackside attendances and 14 manufacturers represented on the grid – the championship has reconfirmed its commitment to all existing venues while adding a return to the United Kingdom’s Silverstone after an eight-year absence.
The action will begin with the traditional Prologue group test at Lusail International Circuit in late March, ahead of the season-opening Qatar 1812km.
A quartet of European rounds follows, beginning with the 6 Hours of Imola in Italy before the FIA WEC returns to British shores for round three as Silverstone rejoins the schedule. Just a fortnight later, the established TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium will serve as the final dress rehearsal before the season’s showpiece event, the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The second half of the campaign will comprise four races spanning the Americas and Asia, with competitors tackling the diverse challenges posed by the iconic Brazilian venue of Interlagos, Austin’s Circuit of the Americas in Texas, Fuji Speedway in Japan and Bahrain International Circuit in the Middle East.
H.E. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the FIA, said: “The FIA World Endurance Championship continues to go from strength-to-strength. In recent years, we have welcomed new manufacturers to the grid, seen growing interest from fans around the world and maintained a stable, competitive calendar that showcases the very best of endurance racing. The return of the 6 Hours of Silverstone next season marks an important milestone for the championship. Silverstone is a venue with a rich endurance racing heritage, and its return reflects both the continued growth of the FIA World Endurance Championship and the increasing global appeal of our sport.”
Pierre Fillon, President, Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO), said: “The FIA World Endurance Championship represents the pinnacle of international endurance racing, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans is its beating heart. It is a discipline that is continuously gaining in both popularity and prestige – as evidenced by the unprecedented on-site audience here this weekend, with ticket sales at an all-time high – and 2027 looks set to be FIA WEC’s biggest and best season yet. This is truly a wonderful era for our sport.”
Richard Mille, President, FIA Endurance Commission, said: “Over the last couple of years, the FIA World Endurance Championship has enjoyed a period of steady growth and expansion. That momentum is set to continue as the series returns to one of its traditional venues in a country with deep endurance racing roots. The expansion of the calendar, while maintaining a balanced and cost-conscious approach, is a welcome development, reflecting the championship’s ongoing growth and the continued success of the golden era of our sport, which we are fortunate to be living through.”
Frederic Lequien, CEO, FIA World Endurance Championship, said: “Following several seasons of stability, the growing popularity of FIA WEC – amongst manufacturers, media and fans – convinced us that now is the right time to expand the schedule. In Silverstone, we will be returning to a circuit with a history of generating exciting racing and attracting huge crowds, offering competitors a tremendous challenge while perfectly complementing the eight existing venues. With nine unmissable races across five global regions, another sensational season looks assured!”
ONE PLATFORM, TWO PATHWAYS AS 2030 HYPERCAR RULESET TAKES SHAPE
The FIA World Motor Sport Council has approved the general principles of the next-generation Hypercar technical regulations, which are set for introduction in 2030.
The FIA World Endurance Championship’s premier class will move to a single technical platform, rather than having LMH and LMDh platforms withing the Hypercar class. Within this platform, the regulations will offer manufacturers two development pathways, giving them the option either to develop and homologate a car using bespoke components or using constructor’s spine. In both cases, the underlying vehicle architecture and regulatory perimeter will remain common across the category.
The cars will continue to be powered by manufacturer-specific engines, preserving freedom in power unit architecture and displacement – a core feature that encourages innovation and creates a unique and visceral soundscape for fans of the FIA WEC. They will be rear-wheel drive only and will feature a mandatory hybrid system, either bespoke or common. The target power output is expected to increase by approximately 20 kW compared with the current generation of Hypercars.
The chassis will be built to updated FIA safety standards, while bodywork regulations will define styling zones, enabling manufacturers to incorporate distinctive brand design elements while remaining within a common aerodynamic framework. Narrower aerodynamic performance windows are expected to simplify performance balancing while preserving the visual identity of each manufacturer.
Development will be permitted only in cases related to reliability or safety issues, otherwise there will be no performance evolution throughout the homologation cycle of the cars.
