The FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC) is set for a major new era after the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) announced a landmark agreement that will secure the championship’s development through the end of 2037.
The agreement represents a long-term commitment to one of the world’s most important endurance racing platforms at a time when the championship is experiencing strong growth in manufacturers, fan engagement, global visibility and technological development. The new partnership will begin at the end of 2027, when the existing agreement expires, and will run for another decade.
The FIA is the global governing body for motor sport and represents mobility organisations around the world, while the ACO is the organisation behind the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans and plays a central role in the development of endurance racing. Their renewed cooperation is designed to strengthen the sporting, technical and commercial foundations of the FIA WEC.
Long-Term Framework for FIA WEC
The extended agreement is intended to provide greater stability for the FIA WEC as the championship enters a period of significant expansion. The FIA and ACO will continue working together on the championship’s governance, regulations and future development, with the objective of creating a sustainable platform for manufacturers, teams, drivers, partners and fans.
Under the new arrangement, regulatory processes will continue to be managed through the FIA’s established governance structure. FIA Working Groups and the FIA Endurance Commission will play important roles in developing and overseeing regulations, while final approval will remain with the FIA World Motor Sport Council.
The homologation process is also being streamlined. The FIA and ACO will jointly oversee the homologation of all vehicles competing in the Hypercar category, creating a more coordinated process for manufacturers competing at the highest level of endurance racing.
The structure is intended to provide manufacturers with greater clarity as they invest in future endurance racing programmes. For automotive companies, long-term regulatory stability can be particularly important because the development of high-performance racing vehicles involves significant engineering, testing and financial commitments.
Greater FIA Visibility
The renewed agreement will also increase the visibility of the FIA across the FIA WEC. FIA branding will receive greater prominence at major championship locations and throughout the race presentation.
Enhanced branding will be displayed in key areas including parc fermé, the podium and Safety Cars. FIA branding will also feature more prominently across broadcast coverage, increasing the governing body’s visibility to the championship’s global audience.
The expanded presence reflects the FIA’s continuing involvement in the championship’s sporting and regulatory framework while strengthening the connection between the governing body and one of endurance racing’s most internationally recognised series.
Championship Growth Accelerates
The new agreement arrives as the FIA WEC experiences substantial growth in popularity and participation.
Since its creation in 2012, the championship has established itself as a leading global endurance racing series. Its status has been strengthened further since the introduction of the Hypercar regulations in 2021.
The Hypercar era has attracted significant interest from major automotive manufacturers, creating a competitive environment in which manufacturers can use endurance racing to demonstrate engineering capabilities, develop technologies and promote their brands.
According to the FIA and ACO, FIA WEC trackside attendance has increased by 8% so far in 2026. Millions of fans are also following the championship across international markets through television, digital platforms and other forms of media.
The demographic profile of the championship’s audience is also changing. In 2026, 44% of trackside attendees are aged 34 or younger, while 40% are attending an FIA WEC event for the first time.
These figures indicate that the championship is attracting new audiences while maintaining interest among established endurance racing fans. The combination of younger spectators and first-time visitors provides the championship with an expanding audience base as it prepares for the next decade.
Major Manufacturers Strengthen the Grid
One of the most significant developments in recent years has been the increasing involvement of global automotive manufacturers.
Eight major automotive manufacturers currently compete in the Hypercar category, which represents the highest level of competition within the FIA WEC.
The introduction of the LMGT3 category in 2024 further expanded manufacturer participation. The championship now features 14 automotive marques across its competitive categories.
The manufacturer roster is expected to become even more prominent in 2027, when Ford and McLaren are scheduled to join the Hypercar ranks.
The arrival of additional major manufacturers adds further depth to the championship and increases the potential for technological competition between different automotive engineering programmes.
For manufacturers, endurance racing offers more than a traditional motorsport platform. The combination of long-distance competition, demanding operating conditions and advanced engineering provides an opportunity to demonstrate reliability, efficiency and performance.
Endurance Racing as a Technology Testbed
Endurance racing has historically played an important role in automotive technology development. The demanding nature of long-distance competition requires manufacturers to balance speed, reliability, energy consumption, thermal management and component durability.
Technologies developed or tested in racing environments can also contribute to broader automotive engineering programmes.
The renewed FIA-ACO partnership is expected to support further technological development, including the potential advancement of hydrogen-powered racing systems.
Hydrogen has attracted interest within the automotive and transportation industries as manufacturers and technology companies explore alternatives for reducing carbon emissions. The FIA WEC can provide a controlled environment in which manufacturers can investigate high-performance hydrogen powertrain technologies under demanding racing conditions.
The new agreement therefore provides a long-term framework for continuing to explore technologies that could contribute to future mobility solutions.
Greater Alignment Between FIA WEC and IMSA
Another important element of the agreement concerns the technical relationship between endurance racing programmes in Europe and North America.
The FIA, ACO and their partners intend to establish a more unified technical framework for top-level endurance Hypercars competing in both the FIA WEC and IMSA in North America.
The new framework is planned for introduction from 2030.
Greater technical alignment between the major endurance racing platforms could have significant implications for manufacturers. Instead of developing completely separate vehicles for different championship environments, manufacturers could have opportunities to compete with more closely aligned technical specifications.
Such standardisation could help reduce development costs and simplify the process of entering multiple endurance racing championships and events.
For teams and manufacturers, the potential cost efficiencies could make international endurance racing more accessible. It could also expand the number of manufacturers and teams able to compete across major endurance racing series.
For fans, increased technical compatibility could create additional opportunities for manufacturers and competitors to meet in major endurance racing events around the world.
A Global Platform for Automotive Brands
The FIA WEC has increasingly become an international platform for automotive manufacturers seeking to connect motorsport programmes with consumer-facing technology and brand strategies.
The championship’s global calendar includes some of the most recognised endurance racing venues and events in the world. The 24 Hours of Le Mans remains its most prominent event, while other races provide manufacturers with opportunities to compete across different circuits, conditions and markets.
This global exposure is particularly important for automotive companies operating across multiple regions.
Endurance racing also provides manufacturers with a distinctive environment in which to communicate engineering messages. Unlike shorter races, endurance competitions place sustained emphasis on reliability, energy management, efficiency and operational performance.
As automotive companies continue investing in electrification, software, advanced materials, connectivity and alternative powertrains, endurance racing can provide a high-profile platform for demonstrating these technologies.
Building the Next Generation of Fans
The changing demographics of FIA WEC spectators are another important part of the championship’s long-term strategy.
The fact that 44% of attendees in 2026 are aged 34 or younger suggests that endurance racing is reaching a relatively young audience. Meanwhile, the proportion of first-time attendees indicates continued potential for audience expansion.
Attracting new spectators is particularly important for a championship planning its development through 2037.
Younger fans are increasingly engaging with motorsport through digital content, social media, streaming services, gaming and online communities. As the FIA WEC continues to expand its international presence, these channels can provide additional opportunities to introduce endurance racing to audiences that may not traditionally have followed long-distance motorsport.
The championship’s combination of established events, major automotive brands and new technologies also provides multiple entry points for younger audiences.
Strengthening Commercial Development
The new agreement is also focused on the commercial development of the FIA WEC.
The championship’s growth in manufacturer participation and spectator numbers creates opportunities for additional commercial partnerships, media distribution and global marketing.
A stable agreement extending to 2037 gives the championship a long-term foundation from which to develop these areas.
For commercial partners, long-term continuity can provide greater confidence when developing sponsorship and activation programmes. For manufacturers, a stable regulatory environment can support longer-term motorsport investment. For teams, it can provide greater certainty around the competitive structure.
The FIA and ACO are therefore positioning the agreement as more than a regulatory arrangement. It is intended to support the broader development of the championship as a global sporting and commercial property.
Leadership Welcomes the Agreement
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem described the agreement as an important step toward securing the future of the FIA WEC.
He highlighted the long-standing relationship between the FIA and ACO and said the new agreement would strengthen cooperation between the organisations while supporting the championship’s continued development.
Ben Sulayem also pointed to the benefits for fans, drivers, teams and manufacturers, particularly as endurance racing experiences increased global interest.
Pierre Fillon, President of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest, also welcomed the extension, emphasising the importance of the relationship between the FIA and ACO.
According to Fillon, the partnership has been based on trust, shared ambitions and a common commitment to developing endurance racing. He said the organisations now have a foundation for the continued international growth of the championship.
Alberto Villarreal, General Manager at the FIA, highlighted the growth of the FIA WEC’s fanbase and the strength of its manufacturer line-up. He described the agreement as a significant moment for the championship and said it provides the stability required for continued development.
Frédéric Lequien, CEO of Le Mans Endurance Management, the promoter of the FIA WEC, also pointed to growing engagement from manufacturers, teams, commercial partners, media and fans.
He said the extended agreement provides a framework for building on that momentum and strengthening the championship’s global appeal.
The FIA WEC now has a long-term partnership structure extending through the end of 2037. During that period, the championship is expected to continue evolving as manufacturers introduce new technologies and motorsport adapts to changes in the wider automotive industry.
The planned technical alignment with IMSA from 2030, potential development of hydrogen technologies, increasing manufacturer participation and continued investment in fan engagement will all play roles in shaping the championship’s next phase.
Ford and McLaren’s planned entry into Hypercar competition in 2027 will add further manufacturer representation just as the new agreement begins.
The combination of established endurance racing traditions and emerging automotive technologies could make the coming decade an important period for the FIA WEC.
The agreement between the FIA and ACO establishes a long-term framework for governance, technical development, commercial growth and international expansion. With the current championship experiencing increased attendance, a changing audience profile and strong manufacturer involvement, the organisations will now focus on translating that momentum into sustained development through 2037.
For the FIA World Endurance Championship, the agreement marks the beginning of a new long-term chapter—one designed to support manufacturers, teams, drivers, partners and fans while maintaining endurance racing’s role as an important global motorsport and automotive technology platform.
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