Season 8 of the GT World Challenge (GTWC) Global powered by AWS is set to launch in spectacular fashion, with four race events across three weeks kicking off the 2026 campaign. With grids forming on four continents and 10 manufacturers battling for supremacy, the new season promises intense competition from the very first lights out.
A rapid-fire start to 2026 GTWC across continents
The championship begins with a double-header weekend on 28–29 March, as GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS heads to Phillip Island and GT World Challenge America powered by AWS opens at Sonoma Raceway.
Shortly after, the action shifts to Asia at Sepang on 4–5 April for GT World Challenge Asia powered by AWS, before Europe joins the fray at Circuit Paul Ricard on 11–12 April for GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS.
As a result, all four regional championships will be underway within just three weeks, setting the tone for a demanding global campaign.
Manufacturers ready for the fight as new machinery join the grid
An unchanged field of 10 manufacturers returns to contest the global title. However, the big question remains whether anyone can dethrone Mercedes-AMG, which has dominated the competition since its inception in 2019.
Despite this dominance, the battle has grown increasingly competitive. In 2025, BMW pushed Mercedes-AMG to the limit, entering the final round with a narrow lead. Nevertheless, Mercedes-AMG ultimately secured the title by just 23 points.
Behind them, Porsche, Ferrari, Audi, Lamborghini, McLaren, Aston Martin, Chevrolet Corvette and Ford complete a highly competitive grid.
Although the manufacturer line-up remains unchanged, technical developments bring fresh intrigue. Lamborghini will introduce its new Temerario GT3 in Europe, while continuing to run the successful Huracán model during the transition phase.
In addition, updated versions of the Ferrari 296, Ford Mustang, and Porsche 911 GT3 cars will appear throughout the season. Consequently, teams will need to quickly adapt to evolving machinery in order to remain competitive.
A demanding 2026 GTWC global calendar
The 2026 season spans from March to November and features 46 races across 29 events in 14 countries. These include 34 sprint races and 12 endurance contests, offering a balanced test of speed and consistency.
Europe retains its traditional 10-round format, including the iconic CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa, widely regarded as the biggest GT race in the world. Meanwhile, Portimão replaces Valencia on the calendar.
Elsewhere, Asia returns to Shanghai, Australia adds Hidden Valley Raceway and a new Adelaide street finale, and America introduces Road Atlanta while adopting a revised three-hour race format for most events.
Key moments to watch
In addition to six double-header weekends, the calendar features a standout triple-header on 29–30 August. On that weekend, races will take place simultaneously at Okayama, Road America, and the Nürburgring, creating a truly global spectacle.
Furthermore, while most of the season unfolds over 30 weekends, the final chapter will see Australia host the concluding round in Adelaide in late November, after Europe wraps up its campaign in October.
Scoring system remains consistent
The points structure introduced last year continues into 2026. Sprint races award points from 25 down to one, while endurance races offer double points. The CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa carries even greater weight, with quadruple points on offer.
Importantly, only the top two cars per manufacturer contribute to the global standings, ensuring that consistency and depth remain crucial to title success.
A title fight to define the season
Ultimately, the 2026 season revolves around one central challenge: stopping Mercedes-AMG’s dominance. With rivals closing the gap and new machinery entering the field, the ingredients for a dramatic championship battle are firmly in place.
As the lights go out across four continents, the fight for global GT supremacy begins once again.
