2026 European Le Mans Series (ELMS) – Official Calendar Overview
News & Announcements September 9
The European Le Mans Series (ELMS) has officially confirmed its 2026 race calendar, consisting of six endurance rounds across six iconic circuits in Europe. The season features a consistent 4-hour race format, continuing ELMS’s tradition of offering a balanced mix of strategy, speed, and reliability.
The campaign begins in Barcelona with a two-day Prologue followed by the season opener, and concludes in Portimão, Portugal, in October — a popular finale for the series.
🗓️ 2026 ELMS Full Schedule
| Round | Date | Circuit | Country | Event Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prologue | 06–07 April | Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya | 🇪🇸 Spain | Official Prologue |
| R1 | 12 April | Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya | 🇪🇸 Spain | 4 Hours of Barcelona |
| R2 | 03 May | Circuit Paul Ricard (Le Castellet) | 🇫🇷 France | 4 Hours of Le Castellet |
| R3 | 05 July | Imola (Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari) | 🇮🇹 Italy | 4 Hours of Imola |
| R4 | 23 August | Spa-Francorchamps | 🇧🇪 Belgium | 4 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps |
| R5 | 13 September | Silverstone Circuit | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | Goodyear 4 Hours of Silverstone |
| R6 | 10 October | Algarve International Circuit (Portimão) | 🇵🇹 Portugal | 4 Hours of Portimão |
🔍 Calendar Highlights
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Prologue & Opener in Barcelona: The season officially kicks off with a two-day pre-season test at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya (06–07 April), followed by the first race on 12 April — allowing teams and drivers to gather essential setup data.
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Strategic Spread Across Europe: The calendar covers Western and Southern Europe, offering teams a wide range of track types — from high-speed layouts (Paul Ricard, Silverstone) to tight and technical venues (Imola, Portimão).
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Summer Peaks with Spa & Silverstone: The two most physically demanding tracks — Spa (August 23) and Silverstone (September 13) — land in the second half of the season, likely playing a critical role in championship standings.
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Finale in Portugal: The Algarve International Circuit once again hosts the final round, providing a scenic and challenging setting to conclude the season on 10 October.
🚗 Race Format & Series Info
Each round of the 2026 ELMS will consist of a 4-hour endurance race, contested by LMP2, LMP3, and LMGT3 machinery, offering intense multi-class racing action. The series remains a stepping stone to the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, giving teams a platform to prove performance and consistency.
ELMS is known for its competitive privateer entries, tight regulations, and cost-effective yet professional racing environment.
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