The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) have agreed a new 10-year extension that will secure their partnership over the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) through the end of 2037.
The new agreement will begin after the current deal expires at the end of 2027 and provides another decade of stability for a championship enjoying significant growth. Alongside their continued collaboration, the FIA and ACO intend to strengthen commercial development, regulatory oversight and the technical framework surrounding top-level endurance racing.
The agreement arrives as WEC continues to attract new manufacturers and a growing audience. Eight manufacturers currently compete in Hypercar, while the addition of LMGT3 has increased the total number of marques represented across the championship to 14. Ford and McLaren will further expand the Hypercar field when both manufacturers join in 2027.
FIA and ACO extend partnership until 2037
The FIA and ACO confirmed the new agreement on 30 September, extending a relationship that has underpinned the modern WEC since the championship’s creation in 2012.
The organisations will use the agreement to pursue further commercial growth while also strengthening their approach to governance. FIA Working Groups and the FIA Endurance Commission will oversee regulatory processes, while the FIA World Motor Sport Council will provide final approval.
Meanwhile, the FIA and ACO will jointly oversee the homologation of all Hypercars. The extended agreement will also increase FIA branding throughout the championship, including at parc fermé, on podiums and Safety Cars, and across broadcasts.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem described the deal as an important commitment to the championship’s long-term future.
“This is not simply an agreement, it is a vital step forward for racing that will secure the future of the FIA World Endurance Championship for years to come.
“This is a deal built for the future, a deal of the century, one that strengthens the collaboration between the FIA and ACO, a relationship that dates back over 120 years, and sets the championship up for a decade of record growth that will deliver real benefits to fans, drivers, teams and manufacturers.
“It has been an honour to play a part in the collaboration that has helped usher in this golden age of endurance racing. I look forward to continuing our work alongside President Pierre Fillon and his team as we build on this momentum and shape an even stronger future.”
WEC audience and manufacturer interest continue to grow
The agreement comes during a period of continued expansion for the championship. WEC reported an eight per cent increase in its trackside audience during 2026, while younger and first-time attendees now represent a significant proportion of spectators.
According to the championship, 44 per cent of attendees in 2026 are aged 34 or younger, while 40 per cent have attended a WEC event for the first time.
Manufacturer involvement has also continued to grow following the introduction of the Hypercar regulations in 2021 and LMGT3 in 2024. Eight manufacturers currently compete in the headline category, while 14 marques feature across the complete WEC grid.
That number will grow further in 2027. McLaren continues to develop its MCL-HY ahead of its return to the top level of endurance racing, recently completing its first 30-hour endurance test. Ford is also preparing its new Hypercar and has already completed more than 1,000 kilometres during its first full test.
ACO President Pierre Fillon highlighted the importance of the organisations’ long-standing cooperation as WEC enters its next phase.
“We are delighted to see the agreement between the FIA and the ACO extended, reinforcing the strong and long-standing relationship that has been at the heart of the FIA World Endurance Championship since its creation in 2012. This partnership has been built on trust, shared ambition, and a common commitment to the development of endurance racing.
“Together, the FIA and the ACO have created a solid foundation for the continued success and international growth of the championship, and we look forward to writing the next chapter of this remarkable collaboration. Finally, I would like to thank FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem for the great relationship we have built.”
Agreement supports new Hypercar regulations from 2030
Beyond the commercial and governance elements, the extended agreement also provides a foundation for the next generation of endurance racing technology.
The FIA, ACO and IMSA have already confirmed a single technical platform for Hypercar from 2030. The regulations will create a more unified framework for top-level cars competing across WEC and North America’s IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
Under that framework, all cars will use rear-wheel drive and hybrid power. Manufacturers can continue to develop bespoke prototypes or work with common chassis suppliers, maintaining different development routes while competing under the same overarching technical regulations.
The FIA and ACO expect this approach to improve cost efficiency and make global endurance programmes more accessible to manufacturers.
Additionally, the new long-term agreement provides a framework for further development of hydrogen powertrains in competition as endurance racing continues to act as a testbed for technologies with potential road-car applications.
FIA sees long-term stability for WEC
FIA General Manager Alberto Villarreal pointed towards the combination of growing audiences and manufacturer participation as the championship looks towards the next decade.
“The FIA World Endurance Championship is stronger and more popular than it has ever been before, with a growing and evolving fanbase, and an impressive roster of top-tier global auto-manufacturers.
“The agreement announced today underlines the investment in the championship from both the FIA and the ACO, and our commitment to continue bringing the sport to new audiences. It is a pivotal moment in the history of FIA WEC, and provides the foundation and stability needed for the championship’s ongoing success.”
The WEC extension also becomes the fourth major long-term agreement involving an FIA World Championship since July 2025, following new arrangements involving Formula E, Formula 1 and the FIA World and European Rally Championships.
For WEC, however, the agreement provides stability during a particularly significant period. The championship faces further manufacturer growth in 2027 before the unified Hypercar regulations arrive in 2030, while the FIA and ACO will now continue their partnership until at least 2037.
Le Mans Endurance Management CEO Frédéric Lequien believes the agreement gives WEC the framework required to capitalise on its current momentum.
“This agreement comes at an exciting time for the FIA World Endurance Championship. The championship is experiencing exceptional momentum, with growing engagement from manufacturers, teams, partners, media, and fans around the world. The extension provides a strong framework to build on this growth, further strengthen the global appeal of the WEC and continue to deliver a world-class championship at the forefront of endurance racing. We are looking forward to an ambitious and exciting future for the FIA WEC.”
