The penultimate rounds of the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) season will be held in Barcelona and Monza.
The resumption of the Middle East conflict has resulted in the championship organisers cancelling the final races in Qatar and Bahrain. However, to prevent a shorter season occurring, the officials have moved the races. Now, they will be held at Barcelona and Monza.
The Updated 2026 WEC Season Calendar
Following the 6 Hours of Fuji weekend, WEC was scheduled to head to Lusail for the rescheduled Qatar 1812KM in October. The event would be followed by the regularly scheduled season finale in Bahrain on 7th November.
However, with the continuation of the Middle Eastern conflict, freight and travel arrangements proved to be difficult for the championship. Hence, the ultimate cancellation of both races.
Instead, WEC will make its maiden appearance in Spain for the 6 Hours of Barcelona on 18 October. It will not be an unfamiliar track for some drivers, as the Circuit de Barcelona has hosted the European Le Mans Series and Michelin Le Mans Cup since 2019.
The 2026 WEC season will conclude in Italy with the 6 Hours of Monza taking place on 8th November. The same weekend, the originally scheduled Bahrain finale was to take place.
Monza is not unfamiliar to the championship. The track has hosted three races from 2021 to 2023. This was before Imola took over as the Italian round of the championship.
Frédéric Lequien, CEO, FIA WEC
In the statement made by FIA WEC’s CEO, Frédéric Lequien, it was revealed that the championship organisers had been optimistic for a return to the Middle East.
Nonetheless, the calendar change was deemed necessary due to the current situation and for logistical purposes. WEC reinstated that they continue to have a strong relationship with both tracks and hope to return to the Middle East to race soon.
“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.”
With the final two rounds of the 2026 WEC campaign pivoting back to Europe, the initial long-distance Middle Eastern rounds have been swapped for shorter six-hour sprints. 26 vital points have been shaved from the remaining title pool. How will this affect the championship? Find out at the end of the season.