The Gran Turismo World Collection has introduced that the opening spherical of the 2026 season will happen in Abu Dhabi.
Going down on the Space42 Area, 24 drivers will compete within the Nations Cup and the Producers Cup to start the four-round championship operating all year long.
The primary occasion happening in Abu Dhabi coincides with the addition of the Yas Marina Circuit as a part of Gran Turismo 7’s current Spec III replace. The Producers Cup will see drivers characterize the highest-ranked producers from on-line qualifiers alongside Toyota and Mazda, the championship’s official companions.
One driver from every producer will compete in every race. For spherical one, the top-ranked rivals from the Americas will compete for an opportunity to earn World Collection Factors.
The Nations Cup entails the highest three gamers from 2025’s Gran Turismo World Collection factors standings, and the 9 quickest drivers from this yr’s on-line qualifiers. 4 drivers from EMEA will earn a spot, together with two from Central and South America. North America, Asia, and Oceania could have one driver representing their respective area.
Gran Turismo And Esports
Not like different sim racing titles, the Gran Turismo World Collection provides drivers alternatives to characterize among the largest automotive producers on this planet. Final yr’s occasion noticed Spanish driver José Serrano elevate the Nations Cup, whereas Porsche received the Producers Cup. Notably, the World Collection doesn’t provide a financial prize pool.
Launched in 2018, the occasion has seen a few of its drivers switch their expertise into real-world motorsport. 2018’s Nations Cup champion Igor Fraga scored his first victory within the Japanese single-seater collection, Tremendous System.
Fraga isn’t the one sim racer to maneuver from the digital racetrack to the actual factor. March 2025 noticed four-time F1 World Champion Max Verstappen launch his personal racing workforce, recruiting British sim racer Chris Lulham as one of many workforce’s three drivers.
