MOTORSPORT – The Bapco Energies Eight Hours of Bahrain, originally scheduled for this November as the final round of the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), will not be taking place.
This was announced yesterday by Le Mans Endurance Management.
The decision follows detailed discussions between all parties involved and comes as a result of the current situation across the Middle East.
WEC weekend was set to take place November 6 and 7 at Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) in Sakhir.
“Over recent weeks, we have been in close coordination with our colleagues at 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,” said BIC chief executive Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa.
“On behalf of all of us at BIC, I thank all the 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.”
The cancellation of Bahrain’s WEC weekend in 2026 has no impact on its place in the FIA WEC’s nine-round 2027 calendar, the FIA WEC said in a statement yesterday.
The kingdom’s event next year will be the curtain-closing race of the campaign, scheduled for November 6.
Fans who have already bought tickets or hospitality to this year’s Bapco Energies Eight Hours of Bahrain will receive a full refund, BIC said in a statement.
It added that ticket-holders do not need to contact BIC to facilitate a refund, as this will be done automatically over the coming days. For any enquiries, BIC can be contacted on +973-17450000.
Along with Bahrain’s round, the Qatar 1,812km – originally scheduled as the penultimate round of the 2026 WEC season – will also not be taking place.
The FIA WEC also announced yesterday that the current campaign will now conclude with a pair of European races in Spain and Italy at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya and Autodromo Nazionale Monza, respectively.
The inaugural Six Hours of Barcelona will take place over the weekend of October 16 to 18, and will mark the first time FIA WEC has visited the track, which has in recent years successfully hosted the European Le Mans Series and Michelin Le Mans Cup.
Monza, meanwhile, has a long association with the pinnacle of international endurance racing stretching back more than 60 years, having welcomed the FIA World Sportscar Championship on multiple occasions – yielding victories for heroes of the sport such as John Surtees, Mario Andretti, and Jacky Ickx.
From 2021 to 2023, FIA WEC travelled to ‘The Temple of Speed’ for three consecutive seasons, resulting in triumphs for Toyota and Alpine.
The 2026 edition of the Six Hours of Monza will be held from November 6 to 8.
The calendar changes are subject to the approval of the FIA World Motor Sport Council.
“We have been closely monitoring developments in the Middle East over recent months,” said FIA WEC CEO Frederic Lequien.
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.”
Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) president Pierre Fillon commented: “We are navigating an exceptionally complex period in the Middle East. Together with Frederic Lequien, we have been monitoring developments on a daily basis and working closely and transparently with all stakeholders to identify 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 WEC 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.”
Revised 2026 calendar
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