Abu Dhabi will host the opening event of the Gran Turismo World Series 2026, marking the first time the elite sim racing championship comes to the Middle East.
Scheduled for March 28, the event will take place at Space42 Arena and bring together the world’s leading Gran Turismo drivers for a live championship watched by millions globally.
Organisers say the Abu Dhabi opener will set the tone for the season, blending elite competition with fan engagement and international broadcast reach, while placing the emirate firmly on the global esports calendar.
The announcement was made during the Gran Turismo World Series 2025 World Finals at the Fukuoka International Congress Centre in Japan. Saeed Al Fazari, executive director of strategic affairs at the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, revealed the news on stage, describing the event as a milestone for both Abu Dhabi and the wider region.
“Hosting the Gran Turismo World Series opener is a proud moment for Abu Dhabi and the wider Mena region, reflecting our ambition to be a destination where possibilities are limitless,” Al Fazari said.
“It marks a significant milestone for our esports and motorsport sectors, bringing elite global competition to the emirate and showcasing Abu Dhabi’s proven capability to deliver world-leading experiences.”
Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina Circuit was added to Gran Turismo 7 earlier this month in its latest update. Photo: Polyphony
The event is being organised by Polyphony Digital Inc, a subsidiary of Sony Interactive Entertainment and developer of the Gran Turismo series, alongside Abu Dhabi Gaming, an initiative led by DCT Abu Dhabi that co-ordinates efforts to transform the emirate into a global gaming hub.
That connection between the physical and digital worlds has been further strengthened with the addition of Yas Marina Circuit to Gran Turismo 7 earlier this month.
Introduced as part of the game’s Spec-3 update, which went live on December 4, the track joins a growing list of international circuits available to players worldwide.
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