The Asian Le Mans Series will stage its entire 2026/27 campaign in Europe under the Winter Le Mans Series banner following an extensive review of the championship’s available options.
External constraints, limited winter availability at suitable Asian circuits and significant logistical costs influenced the decision. Organisers also needed to avoid clashes with the Daytona 24 Hours and Bathurst 12 Hour, which further restricted the championship’s potential dates and venues.
The revised six-race calendar will visit Paul Ricard, Jerez and Portimão between November 2026 and February 2027. Meanwhile, the championship will introduce Hypercars and launch the Asian Le Mans Cup for LMP3 and GT3 competitors.
European calendar provides championship certainty
Championship organisers evaluated several alternatives from the beginning of the year as they sought to protect the season and provide teams, drivers and commercial partners with a stable plan.
The Automobile Club de l’Ouest ultimately supported an all-European schedule after the available Asian options failed to provide the necessary certainty. ACO President Pierre Fillon acknowledged the unusual circumstances but backed the Winter Le Mans Series as the strongest solution.
“2026 has proven to be exceptional, with external constraints that are completely out of our control forcing us to make decisions that are in everyone’s interests in difficult circumstances. It is with all the facts, and after consultation with all parties, the decision was taken to move the Asian Le Mans Series to Europe for the 2026/27 season.
“The Winter Le Mans Series will provide the best platform for teams and drivers to compete for one of the top prizes in endurance, the Asian Le Mans Series title and, for the LMP2 and GT3 champions, an automatic invitation to the 2027 24 Hours of Le Mans. It will also be a great opportunity for fans of endurance to see Hypercars in action in the ALMS for the first time.
“Le Mans is more than a place – it is a spirit. This winter, that spirit will thrive on some of Europe’s finest circuits as we look forward to returning to Asia when conditions allow.”
Although the series will leave its traditional region for one season, it will retain the Asian Le Mans Series title and its established sporting rewards. The LMP2 and GT3 champions will continue to earn automatic invitations to the following year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Limited Asian options shape exceptional move
The championship explored ways to retain races in Asia. However, the late changes left only a small number of circuits able to accommodate an event during the winter, while the potential transport and operational costs created further difficulties.
ALMEM and LMEM CEO Frédéric Lequien explained that the calendar also needed to account for two major endurance events at Daytona and Bathurst.
“While this represents a departure from the championship’s traditional identity, it is a carefully considered decision driven by the current circumstances and made in the best interests of the series and its competitors.
“We had explored several options with regards to holding races in Asia but, because of the late changes forced on us, the availability of circuits that are able to host an ALMS event were limited and the logistical costs were significant. We also had to try and avoid a clash Daytona and Bathurst, which limited our options in Asia even further.
“Our priority remains to provide teams with a stable, competitive and clearly defined championship. This approach ensures the continuity of the series while allowing competitors to prepare for the season with confidence.
“The Asian Le Mans Series extends its sincere thanks to its teams, partners, manufacturers, drivers and fans for their continued trust and support. Although this season will feature an unprecedented format, it will retain all the excitement, competitiveness and endurance spirit that define the championship.
The confirmed calendar now gives competitors more than three months to prepare for the opening event and provides clear gaps between each double-header.
Paul Ricard opens three-event campaign
Circuit Paul Ricard will host the opening two races from 13–15 November 2026. The French venue will begin the season before teams enter a two-month break over Christmas and New Year.
The championship will resume at the Circuito de Jerez Ángel Nieto in Spain from 15–17 January 2027, where competitors will contest another pair of four-hour races.
Portimão will then host the final two rounds from 19–21 February. The Autódromo Internacional do Algarve will decide the championship titles and the automatic Le Mans invitations during the concluding weekend.
Hypercars join expanded sporting programme
The Winter Le Mans Series will introduce Hypercars to the championship for the first time, adding endurance racing’s premier prototype category to the existing programme.
Organisers will also launch the Asian Le Mans Cup for LMP3 and GT3 entrants. The new competition will feature two two-hour races at each of the three events, giving its competitors six races across the season.
The Cup will run alongside the main championship and expand the number of racing opportunities available during each Winter Le Mans Series weekend.
Ratel backs southern European solution
SRO Motorsports Group Founder and CEO Stéphane Ratel admitted that Europe did not represent the preferred destination for an Asian Le Mans Series season. Nevertheless, he believes the combined experience of SRO, LMEM and the ACO produced the most practical response to the external pressures.
“While moving the Asian Le Mans Series to Europe is not ideal, the situation in the Middle East dictated that we worked to find the best solution. Between SRO, LMEM and the ACO we have a huge pool of experience to draw on, and the consensus was a Winter Le Mans Series in southern Europe was the most sensible option given the mounting external constraints.
“The championship will visit three of Europe’s premier racing venues, Le Castellet, Jerez and Portimao, each renowned for its world-class facilities and outstanding sporting challenge. Now we have a confirmed calendar we are sure that the Winter Le Mans Series will be successful and we look forward to returning to Asia for the 2027/28 season.”
The championship plans to return to Asia for the 2027/28 campaign when conditions allow. Until then, the Winter Le Mans Series will maintain the competition through an exceptional season across southern Europe.
2026/27 Asian Le Mans Series/Winter Le Mans Series calendar
- Rounds 1 and 2: 13–15 November 2026 — Circuit Paul Ricard, France
- Rounds 3 and 4: 15–17 January 2027 — Circuito de Jerez Ángel Nieto, Spain
- Rounds 5 and 6: 19–21 February 2027 — Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, Portugal
