2026 CHINA GT Championship Complete Guide: Schedule, Rules, Data, and Participation Guide

The 2026 CHINA GT Championship, China's premier GT racing series, is about to begin. This article compiles key information about the event, from the race calendar and past data to participation rules and fees, providing a comprehensive reference for teams, drivers, and racing enthusiasts to help them fully participate in this high-speed extravaganza.

I. 2026 Season Core Calendar

The 2026 CHINA GT season will span five top-tier circuits both domestically and internationally, encompassing five exciting races, scheduled as follows:

1. Round 1: April 17-19, Shanghai International Circuit

2. Round 2: May 22-24, Zhuhai International Circuit

3. Round 3: June 26-28, V1 Tianjin International Circuit

4. Round 4: September 4-6, Shanghai International Circuit

5. Round 5: November 27-29, Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia

II. 2025 Season Race Data Highlights

The 2025 CHINA GT season achieved brilliant results, reaching new heights in online attention, demonstrating the event's powerful influence:

• Total viewership exceeded 103 million, reaching 103,980,524.

• Live stream viewership on domestic and international platforms reached 69,584,183, covering multiple platforms including Xiaohongshu, Bilibili, YouTube, and Dongchedi.

• Official social media viewership reached 34,396,341, with interaction volume across all platforms continuing to climb.

• On-site attendance at each race was extremely high, with 40,000 spectators at the fourth race at the Shanghai International Circuit and 20,000 spectators at the first race in Shanghai.

III. Overview of Basic Race Rules

(I) Requirements for Participating Vehicles and Drivers

• Permitted vehicles: Race cars that comply with the relevant technical regulations for GT3, GT4, and GTC.

• Driver qualifications: Must hold a National Class B or higher racing license.

• Driver configuration: Each car can be driven by one driver alone or two drivers together.

• Driver ratings: Divided into three categories: PRO, PRO-AM (AM+PRO), and AM (AM+AM). Bronze-level drivers will be rated AM or AM+.

(II) Race Schedule

• Friday: Paddy Party, two paid practice sessions (maximum 60 minutes each), one free practice session (maximum 60 minutes)

• Saturday: Official catering boxes open, first qualifying session (15 minutes), first race (56 minutes + 1 lap), second qualifying session (15 minutes)

• Sunday: Official catering boxes open, second race (56 minutes + 1 lap)

• Note: Paid practice prices vary depending on the track; specific rates will be announced before the race.

(III) Core Competition Rules

• Start Method: All races will start while in motion.

• Mandatory Pit Stops: Pit stop windows are from the 24th to the 34th minute of the race. Minimum pit stop time = 55 seconds + pit lane passage time (60 km/h speed limit) + driver combination rating time. Tire Rules: Tire changes are prohibited during the race; only damaged tires may be replaced. Rain tires do not require registration and are not restricted in any stage or race.

• Refueling Regulations: Refueling is prohibited during any stage of the race.

• Qualifying Rules: The drivers in the first qualifying session will start the first race, and the second session will start the second race. The driver with the higher rating in their car must participate in the first qualifying session. Solo drivers must participate in both qualifying sessions.

(IV) Classes and Points System

• If ≥12 vehicles are confirmed to participate in the GTS and GTC classes before December 31, 2025, each race in the 2026 season will be divided into two groups: a separate race for the GT3 class and separate races for the GTS and GTC classes.
• Points categories include: GT3/GTS/GTC class driver standings, GT3 PRO-AM class driver standings, GT3 AM class driver standings, and GT3/GTS/GTC class team standings (the organizers may add points categories based on the participant list). Driver pit stop time balancing: Additional pit stop time is set according to driver rating: AM 0 seconds, AM+ 5 seconds, Silver 10 seconds, Gold 15 seconds, Platinum 15 seconds; pit stop time for solo drivers increases accordingly: AM 0 seconds, AM+ 10 seconds, Silver 20 seconds, Gold 30 seconds, Platinum 30 seconds

IV. Tire Usage and Fees

(I) Tire Usage Rules

• Practice Session (Paid Practice + Free Practice): Each car can register a maximum of two sets of new dry tires, plus two sets of dry tires registered for races in the 2026 season; for the first race of the season or first-time participants, the option is: three sets of new dry tires + one self-purchased Pirelli dry tire, or four sets of new dry tires.

• Qualifying + Race: Each car can register a maximum of three sets of new dry tires.

• New Dry Tire Requirements: Must be purchased from the organizers before the race and picked up on-site from Pirelli.

(II) 2025 Tire Reference Prices

The Pirelli tire specifications and unit prices for the 2025 season are for team budget reference only. The specific prices for the 2026 season will be subject to the official pre-race announcement (detailed specifications and prices can be found in the tire list provided by the official race organizers).

V. Entry Fees and Related Services

(I) Entry Fee Standards

• Full Season Entry: RMB 220,000/car

• Single Race Entry: Shanghai Race RMB 54,000/car; Tianjin, Zhuhai, and Sepang Races RMB 42,000/car

• Early Bird Discount: Register for the entire season and complete payment before December 31, 2025, to enjoy a one-set dry tire fee reduction for the first race of the 2026 season (tire order form must be completed normally).

(II) Entry Fee Includes

• Qualification for the main race, free practice, and qualifying

• Garage rental (two cars per garage)

• 4 official VIP box tickets

(III) Data Acquisition Device Related

• Rental Fee: RMB 2,800 per race; the full season participation fee is included in the registration fee, no additional payment required.

• Deposit: RMB 15,000 per car, refundable after each race/season.

• Package Includes: Data acquisition device with SD card, high-definition in-vehicle camera, 4G data telemetry module, boost pressure sensor (for turbocharged race cars)

• Interface Type: FIA standard DTM 6-pin interface

(IV) Official Race Gasoline

• Specifications: 200L/barrel, RMB 30/liter
• Technical parameters comply with official race regulations, ensuring stable performance of the race car.

(V) Official VIP Cabin Service

• Service Recipients: Drivers, team members, team guests, media, race officials, and sponsors

• Service Hours: Saturdays and Sundays of each race

• Service Content: Beverages, light breakfast, formal lunch, and afternoon tea break provided.

VI. Official Race Information

(I) Official Platforms

• Official Website: WWW.CGT.TOP
• Official WeChat Account: CGT Championship
• Official Douyin: China GT Championship
• Official Weibo: China GT
• Official Xiaohongshu: China GT Championship
• Official Instagram: chinagt.championshhip
• Official Facebook: China GT Championshhip

(II) Contact Us

• Official Email: CHINAGT@CGT.TOP

For more information on the event, please contact the above official channels. The 2026 CHINA GT looks forward to witnessing the collision of speed and passion with all racing enthusiasts!