The FIA World Endurance Championship will continue to visit Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) until at least 2036, following a long-term extension of the Middle Eastern venue’s agreement with the series.
One of the events that constituted the calendar in FIA WEC’s inaugural campaign back in 2012, BIC has hosted 14 races to-date – with only Le Mans’ legendary Circuit de la Sarthe and Belgium’s Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps having welcomed the championship more often. It has been a regular venue for the final race of the season, crowning countless champions over the years.
Initially taking place over six hours, in recent seasons, the duration of the race has increased to eight hours – putting drivers and cars firmly to the test as they battle from day into night against the backdrop of the Sakhir desert.
With up to 54 gear changes per lap and top speeds approaching 300km/h, the demanding 5.412km layout is a real test of driver skill, with its wide nature encouraging audacious overtaking manoeuvres and generating countless captivating battles over the years.
Beyond the race weekend, BIC has frequently staged the annual Rookie Test and end-of-season Prizegiving ceremony, with the 2027 edition of the Bapco Energies 8 Hours of Bahrain announced to take place on 4-6 November next year. The 2026 race weekend is scheduled for 5-7 November.
Frédéric Lequien, CEO, FIA World Endurance Championship, said:
“We are delighted to have renewed our contract with Bahrain International Circuit. Since first featuring on the FIA World Endurance Championship calendar 14 years ago, it has firmly established itself as a popular stop on the schedule, with a tremendously warm welcome from the enthusiastic local team and superb organisation from start-to-finish. We look forward to many more exciting showdowns in Sakhir!”
Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa, Chief Executive of Bahrain International Circuit, said:
“Our new contract with FIA WEC continues Bahrain’s long-term commitment to elite motorsport, and we are proud of our shared history with the pinnacle of endurance racing. Since our partnership began in the inaugural season of 2012, FIA WEC has developed to become an integral part of the global motorsport calendar, with participation and fan attendance continuing to grow at an impressive rate. In Bahrain, the event remains a major highlight of our racing season and we continue to see record crowds every year.
“We are therefore delighted that the spirit of Le Mans will continue in Bahrain through the 20th anniversary of the series and well beyond. We thank the whole FIA WEC community for placing their trust in us as we embark upon the next phase of our partnership with shared optimism and excitement for the future.”
All of FIA WEC. All of endurance racing’s greatest battles. Watch live and on demand with FIAWEC+ – the official streaming platform of the FIA World Endurance Championship, wherever you are, whenever you want, including the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans. Stream FIA WEC live with FIAWEC+.
