Full Breakdown
Formula E Announces Record-Breaking 21-Race 2026-27 Calendar as GEN4 Era Begins
6/23/2026, 9:48:40 PM
A Historic 21-Race Calendar for 2026-27
The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship unveiled a provisional 21-race schedule spanning 13 global cities for the 2026-27 season. The season opens with a night-time double-header at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit on 18-19 December 2026 and concludes with a double-header on the Tokyo Street Circuit on 24-25 July 2027. New permanent venues include the Circuit of the Americas (Austin, USA), Zandvoort (Netherlands) and Brands Hatch (United Kingdom), while the ExCeL London venue is removed to accommodate the larger GEN4 car.
GEN4: Power and Design Driving Calendar Changes
The GEN4 car, debuting in 2026-27, delivers over 800 bhp (805 hp in qualifying trim) and 600 kW (?815 hp) of attack-mode power, a 50 % increase over its predecessor. It is 87 kg heavier, 90 mm wider, and reaches a top speed of 208 mph. Active all-wheel drive, dual aerodynamic configurations and a 0-100 kph sprint in 1.8 seconds complement a 100 % recyclable construction. These specifications require circuits with greater width and safety margins, prompting the shift toward permanent tracks.
New Permanent Circuits Join the Schedule
- Brands Hatch (UK) – replaces the ExCeL as the London E-Prix host, offering a 30-minute rail link to London and a historic Grand Prix layout.
- Circuit of the Americas (Austin, USA) – makes its championship debut on 6 February 2027, providing a high-speed venue suited to GEN4 performance.
- Zandvoort (Netherlands) – hosts a double-header on 18-19 June 2027, situated 30 minutes from Amsterdam.
The addition of these venues expands Formula E’s presence in North America and Europe while addressing the GEN4 car’s technical demands.
Revised Double-Header Format: “E-Prix Unleashed”
Eight venues—Jeddah, Berlin, Monte Carlo, Brands Hatch, Zandvoort, Madrid, Shanghai and Tokyo—will host double-header weekends. The first race, termed “E-Prix Unleashed,” is a 25-30 minute sprint with heightened car settings; the following day features the traditional energy-managed E-Prix. This format showcases GEN4’s unrestricted power and aims to boost spectator appeal.
Official Statements & Responses
Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds highlighted Brands Hatch as “one of the best circuits in the world” and emphasized the multi-year partnership with MSV to make it a marquee event. Co-founder and Chief Championship Officer Alberto Longo described the calendar as “our biggest and most ambitious… expanding to 21 races across 13 iconic cities.” MSV Chief Executive Jonathan Palmer called the move a “major landmark for the venue, the championship and British motorsport,” noting the GEN4 car’s performance leap.
Criticism & Operational Constraints
The ExCeL’s indoor-outdoor layout was deemed unsuitable for GEN4, with Dodds stating the circuit’s bottlenecks would prevent a showcase race. This limitation drove the decision to relocate the London E-Prix to a permanent venue.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The calendar remains provisional pending validation by the FIA World Motor Sport Council; no alternative venues have been announced should geopolitical issues affect the Jeddah opener.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Jeff Dodds, CEO of Formula E, said: “I don't influence the calendar too much, but Brands Hatch was my local circuit growing up, so I know it really well.” — Jeff Dodds, CEO, Formula E
- “Alberto Longo, Co-Founder & Chief Championship Officer, Formula E, said: “We are incredibly proud to unveil our biggest and most ambitious calendar to date.” — Alberto Longo, Co-Founder & Chief Championship Officer, Formula E
- “There are these permanent circuits that will offer us exactly what we need, and in a way we are helping them also to revive their story, their historical presence in motorsport,” — Alberto Longo, Formula E
- “Effectively, it's full send,” — Jeff Dodds, CEO, Formula E (on the new sprint format)
- “ Jonathan Palmer, MSV Chief Executive, said: “Formula E’s arrival at Brands Hatch in 2027 represents a major landmark for the venue, the championship and British motorsport.” — Jonathan Palmer, MSV Chief Executive
What’s Next
The season will launch in Jeddah (Dec 2026), proceed through the Americas (Mexico City, Austin, Miami, São Paulo), traverse Asia (Sanya) and Europe (Berlin, Monaco, Brands Hatch, Zandvoort, Madrid), before ending in Shanghai and Tokyo. Ticket sales and detailed race-weekend logistics are slated for release later in 2026.
