The FIA World Endurance Championship will feature one of the most diverse and competitive grids in global motorsport when the 2026 season begins. Fourteen major automotive manufacturers have committed to the championship, reinforcing the remarkable momentum the series has built during the Hypercar era.
The entry list reflects the continued growth of endurance racing at the highest level. A captivating 2025 campaign produced eight different race-winning manufacturers, demonstrating the extraordinary competitiveness that now defines the championship. As a result, anticipation for the 2026 season continues to grow among teams, drivers and fans alike.
Against this backdrop, the series prepares to welcome both returning competitors and an important new entrant as the battle for global endurance racing supremacy intensifies.
A powerful line-up of global manufacturers for 2026 FIA WEC season
The 2026 FIA WEC grid will once again showcase a formidable collection of internationally recognised brands. Alpine, Aston Martin, BMW, Cadillac, Corvette, Ferrari, Ford, Lexus, McLaren, Mercedes-AMG, Peugeot, Porsche and Toyota will all return to compete in the championship’s premier global endurance series.
Alongside these established marques, the championship will also welcome Genesis, Hyundai’s luxury division and one of the world’s fastest-growing premium automotive brands. The Korean manufacturer’s arrival further highlights the growing appeal of the FIA WEC platform, particularly within the Hypercar category.
This expanded roster of manufacturers demonstrates the confidence that global carmakers continue to place in the championship’s technical regulations, competitive balance and worldwide reach.
Ferrari defends its Hypercar crown in 2026 FIA WEC campaign
Attention will once again focus on the Hypercar class, where some of the world’s most advanced racing prototypes compete for overall victory. Teams representing Alpine, Aston Martin, BMW, Cadillac, Genesis, Peugeot and Toyota will all attempt to unseat defending champion Ferrari.
Ferrari enters the season with significant momentum following a dominant 2025 campaign. The Italian manufacturer secured a clean sweep of titles in its third season with the 499P, a machine that has quickly established itself as a benchmark within the Hypercar field.
Notably, the car remains unbeaten at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the centrepiece of the FIA WEC calendar and the most prestigious event in endurance racing. As the flagship race of the championship’s eight-round schedule, Le Mans continues to play a pivotal role in defining the legacy of every manufacturer competing in the series.
Manthey targets a third LMGT3 title in 2026 WEC campaign
While the Hypercar class attracts global attention, the LMGT3 category has also developed into a fiercely contested battleground since its introduction in 2024.
Manthey has dominated the category during its first two seasons, securing consecutive championships with its Porsche 911 GT3 R entries. The German squad will return in 2026 determined to secure a remarkable third consecutive title.
However, the task will not be straightforward. Rival teams fielding machinery from Aston Martin, BMW, Corvette, Ferrari, Ford, Lexus, McLaren and Mercedes-AMG continue to strengthen their programmes and challenge Manthey’s supremacy.
The competitiveness of the class became clear throughout the 2025 season, when each of those manufacturers reached the podium at least once. Consequently, the LMGT3 category remains one of the most unpredictable elements of the FIA WEC grid.
A championship defined by competition
The depth of competition within both classes reflects the strength of the modern FIA World Endurance Championship. Throughout the 2025 season, seven different Hypercar crews claimed victory across eight races, while six different LMGT3 driver line-ups stood on the top step of the podium.
Pierre Fillon, President of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO), believes this competitive balance underlines the strength of the current championship.
“The 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship entry list once again brings together the most accomplished manufacturers, drivers and teams in endurance racing. The Hypercar category celebrated an astonishing seven different winning crews from eight races in 2025, and the silverware was similarly widely distributed in LMGT3, where six different line-ups tasted victory. This exceptional level of competition confirms that every entrant is performing at the highest standard and hungry for success. We are set for another outstanding season – one that continues to advance technology, sport and the future of endurance racing.”
His comments highlight the way the championship now combines technological innovation with close on-track competition, a combination that continues to attract manufacturers from across the automotive industry.
Years of development paying off
Behind the scenes, organisers and governing bodies have invested significant effort in building the strong platform that the championship enjoys today. Over several seasons, stakeholders have refined the technical framework, stabilised regulations and expanded the global calendar to ensure sustainable growth.
Richard Mille, President of the FIA Endurance Commission, emphasised that the strength of the 2026 entry list reflects the success of these long-term efforts.
“Building upon the success and stability of recent seasons, the 2026 FIA WEC entry list is the product of all the hard work that has gone in behind-the-scenes in recent years to raise this magnificent championship to the level at which it operates today. Next year’s grid encapsulates the very essence of what endurance racing should be – major global marques, cutting-edge cars and a driver line-up blending seasoned world champions with rising stars of the sport and ambitious amateurs. The result, I have no doubt, is a surefire recipe for another compelling campaign.”
His remarks underline the championship’s ability to blend experienced champions with emerging talent, creating an environment that promotes both sporting excellence and long-term development.
Growing global interest
The FIA WEC continues to benefit from rising spectator numbers and increasing digital engagement. The 2025 season attracted record crowds at several events, while online audiences reached the highest levels in the championship’s history.
Frédéric Lequien, CEO of the FIA World Endurance Championship, highlighted this growth while also emphasising the significance of Genesis joining the grid.
“The presentation of the FIA WEC entry list is a proud moment for us, particularly when it includes new additions as is the case for 2026 with the arrival of two Genesis Hypercars. We enjoyed a hugely entertaining season this year, welcoming more fans on-site than ever before and achieving the best engagement figures the series has ever seen. That is testament to the championship’s continuing growth, and with Ford and McLaren similarly set to swell the Hypercar grid in 2027, that popularity is only set to accelerate further.”
His comments suggest that the championship’s current growth trajectory will continue as more manufacturers commit to competing in the Hypercar category in the coming years.
The road to the 2026 FIA WEC title
The fight for the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship will begin with the Qatar 1812km on 28 March. The opening race at Lusail International Circuit will set the tone for a demanding eight-round global campaign.
From there, the championship will travel to Imola on 19 April before visiting Spa-Francorchamps on 9 May. The season will then reach its defining moment with the 24 Hours of Le Mans on 13–14 June.
After the French classic, the series will continue its international journey with races at Interlagos on 12 July, Circuit of the Americas on 6 September and Fuji on 27 September. Finally, the championship will conclude with the season finale in Bahrain on 7 November.
With an expanding manufacturer line-up, intense competition across both classes and a calendar featuring some of the world’s most iconic circuits, the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship promises another thrilling chapter in endurance racing’s modern era.
