GT World Challenge powered by AWS raises the curtain on its 2026 season this weekend (28/29 March) with races in Australia and America, while the opening rounds in Asia (4/5 April) and Europe (11/12 April) are not far behind.
An unchanged line-up of 10 brands will compete for the global title, which will be decided by a 46-race schedule staged across 14 countries on four continents. The new season promises plenty of twists and turns – after all, this is GT3 racing – but the central question is simple: can anyone break the Mercedes-AMG stranglehold?
The Affalterbach marque is on a remarkable winning streak, claiming each global title since the inaugural season in 2019. But its status has been fiercely contested in recent seasons. Indeed, 2025 was the closest fight yet as BMW went into the deciding round with a slender lead. Mercedes-AMG ultimately prevailed, though just 23 points made the difference at the conclusion of the campaign.
Porsche ended 2025 in third spot, followed by Ferrari, Audi, Lamborghini, McLaren, Aston Martin, Corvette and Ford. The full field returns this season hoping to improve their positions, while Mercedes-AMG must keep them at bay if it is to win an eighth successive title.
Though the entrants are unchanged there will be new machinery on the grid as Lamborghini gets set to tackle the European season with its new Temerario GT3. With a full global roll-out planned for 2027, the long-serving and hugely successful Huracán will also continue to race this term. In addition to the Italian marque's new model, there will be upgraded versions of the Ferrari 296, Ford Mustang and Porsche 911.
The calendar comprises 46 races – 34 sprints and 12 enduros – spread across 29 events. The European season retains its long-established format of 10 rounds, split evenly between the Sprint Cup and the Endurance Cup. The latter includes the marquee CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa, an event that has typically drawn contenders from all four continents to contest the biggest GT race in the world. The only change sees Portimão added in place of Valencia.
GT World Challenge Asia is similarly stable, with a return to the Shanghai International Circuit in place of Thai venue Chang the only difference from 2025. The Australian calendar features two new additions as Hidden Valley Raceway in Darwin and a season finale on the legendary streets of Adelaide join the schedule.
There is just one alternation to the American calendar as Road Atlanta takes over from Virginia International Raceway. But this season brings a significant change Stateside as the two-race 90-minute format used at six of the seven events is replaced by a single three-hour contest. The eight-hour finale at Indianapolis Motor Speedway – staged in conjunction with Intercontinental GT Challenge – remains unchanged.
Points are scored using the system introduced last year. Sprint races use the standard format – 25 for a win down to one for 10th – with double points awarded for endurance races and quadruple points at the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa. The best two cars per competing manufacturer score, with any further entries and non-competing manufacturers considered invisible.
All four series launch in a three-week period. The opening weekend (28/29 March) is a double-header – the first of six that will take place this season – as GT World Challenge Australia heads to Phillip Island and GT World Challenge America kicks off at Sonoma Raceway. Asia begins its season at Sepang on 4/5 April followed by the European opener at Circuit Paul Ricard (11/12 April).
In addition to six double-headers there will be a triple-header event on 29/30 August when Asia (Okayama), America (Road America) and Europe (Nürburgring) are all in action. 28 of the season's 29 events take place over 30 weekends between the opener and the European finale at Portimão on 17/18 October, while Australia concludes the campaign with its new finale in Adelaide on 26-29 November.
