Abu Dhabi has secured the coveted opening round of the 2026 Gran Turismo World Series, a landmark decision that will bring one of the world’s most prestigious virtual racing championships to the Middle East for the first time.

On March 28, 2026, top Gran Turismo 7 drivers, esports fans and motorsport enthusiasts will converge on the new Space42 Arena in the UAE capital, positioning Abu Dhabi as a major global stage for competitive gaming and tourism.

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A Landmark First for the Middle East

The 2026 Gran Turismo World Series will begin with “Round 1 – Abu Dhabi” on March 28, 2026, at Space42 Arena, a dedicated live events venue located near the Yas Marina Circuit on Al Raha Street.

The season opener marks the first time a Gran Turismo World Series event has been held in the Middle East, underscoring the region’s rapid rise as a hub for both motorsport and esports.

The announcement was made during the Gran Turismo World Series 2025 World Finals in Fukuoka, Japan, where officials from Polyphony Digital and Sony Interactive Entertainment joined representatives from Abu Dhabi Gaming and the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi to unveil the 2026 calendar. Abu Dhabi will host the first of four live events planned across major cities worldwide for next season.

For the emirate, the deal represents more than a high-profile event. It is a statement of intent about Abu Dhabi’s long-term ambition to be a global center for interactive entertainment, technology and live experiences, complementing its already established reputation in Formula 1, endurance racing and other international sporting fixtures.

Inside the 2026 Gran Turismo World Series Opener

The Abu Dhabi round will bring together 24 of the world’s elite Gran Turismo drivers, all competing on PlayStation’s Gran Turismo 7: 12 in the Nations Cup, representing their countries and territories, and 12 in the Manufacturers Cup, racing on behalf of leading automotive brands.

These competitors will be selected through online qualifiers early in 2026 and flown to the UAE to contest the championship’s opening battles in front of a live audience.

According to the official program, doors at Space42 Arena are scheduled to open at 14:45 local time on Saturday, March 28. A support event is set for 15:00, followed by the Manufacturers Cup race at 16:00. After an interval at 17:30, the Nations Cup will headline the evening from 19:00, with the live show expected to conclude around 20:45.

Fans attending in person can expect a full-scale production that blends live sports presentation with gaming spectacle: giant screens, commentary teams, pre-race build-up, driver interviews and post-race podium ceremonies.

As with previous Gran Turismo World Series stops in cities such as Salzburg, Montreal and Barcelona, the Abu Dhabi opener is designed as both a serious competition and a fan-centric showpiece.

Space42 Arena and the Yas Island Connection

Space42 Arena, the venue chosen for the event, sits close to Yas Island’s Yas Marina Circuit, one of the most recognizable tracks in global motorsport and the home of the Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Grand Prix. Its location ties the digital championship directly to the city’s real-world racing heritage, creating a powerful crossover that organizers are keen to highlight.

The arena itself is configured as an immersive live-events space, capable of hosting large audiences for concerts, sporting events and esports tournaments. For the Gran Turismo World Series opener, it will be reimagined as a high-tech racing theater, with rows of spectator seating wrapped around purpose-built racing rigs and broadcast sets.

Adding to the connection between virtual and physical Abu Dhabi, Yas Marina Circuit is now fully available in Gran Turismo 7 on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.

Players around the world can drive a digital version of the track, experiencing the sweeping curves and illuminated night layout that have become synonymous with the real-world circuit on Yas Island, further amplifying Abu Dhabi’s visibility among millions of gamers.

Abu Dhabi’s Esports and Tourism Strategy

Hosting the Gran Turismo World Series opener is closely aligned with Abu Dhabi’s broader drive to expand its gaming and esports ecosystem. Abu Dhabi Gaming, led by the Department of Culture and Tourism, has been actively building partnerships with global publishers and tournament organizers to anchor marquee events in the emirate and to nurture local talent.

The Gran Turismo World Series is regarded as a flagship property in sim racing, combining officially licensed automobiles, exacting physics modeling and a deep online competition structure. By securing the 2026 season opener, Abu Dhabi signals that it wants to be at the forefront of this fast-growing segment, in the same way that it has positioned itself in film, art, culture and live sport.

For tourism stakeholders, the event is an opportunity to attract a new demographic of visitors. Esports audiences skew younger, digitally native and globally mobile. Officials anticipate that many fans will build extended trips around the event, exploring Yas Island’s theme parks, Ferrari World, beachfront resorts and the city’s cultural landmarks such as Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.

Economic Impact and Global Exposure

The 2026 Gran Turismo World Series opener is expected to deliver a measurable economic boost to Abu Dhabi’s hospitality and services sectors. International teams, production crews, media representatives and fans will require accommodation, transport, food and entertainment, creating demand for hotels, restaurants and local operators across the city.

With the event slated for late March, just after the peak winter tourism period in the UAE, the championship also helps to smooth seasonal demand, filling hotel inventory and sustaining visitor numbers into the spring. Retail and experience providers on Yas Island and in the wider emirate are preparing tailored offers around the race weekend, including themed activities for gaming fans and families.

On the media side, the World Series delivers global exposure. The Abu Dhabi round will be streamed and broadcast to millions of viewers through official Gran Turismo and PlayStation channels, as well as gaming platforms and sports media outlets. For destination marketers, that means extended shots of the city skyline, Yas Marina Circuit, and the arena, as well as repeated mentions of Abu Dhabi as a destination throughout pre-race and post-race coverage.

What Travelers Need to Know About Attending

Tickets for “Round 1 – Abu Dhabi” are already on sale through official Gran Turismo channels, with two main categories available. Standard tickets are priced at 130 AED for adults, while Premium tickets cost 150 AED and offer access to the best seating areas, closer to the stage and competition rigs. Both ticket types grant access to the full program, including both the Manufacturers Cup and Nations Cup races.

Discounted tickets are offered for guests under 18 years of age, though minors must be accompanied by an adult holding a full-price ticket. Spectators will be able to enter the venue from 14:45 local time, allowing ample opportunity to explore the arena space, merchandise stands and any interactive zones that organizers set up around the main competition area.

International visitors should plan flights into Abu Dhabi International Airport, which is located a short drive from Yas Island and Space42 Arena. The area is well served by taxis and ride-hailing services, while many Yas Island hotels offer shuttle services to key attractions.

With the event taking place on a Saturday, travelers can easily combine the tournament with a long weekend stay, arriving Thursday or Friday and departing Sunday or Monday.

Gran Turismo 7, Online Qualifiers and the Road to Abu Dhabi

The 2026 Gran Turismo World Series will follow a familiar structure, combining open online competition with invite-only live events. According to series organizers, online qualifiers for the Manufacturers Cup will begin on January 14, 2026, while the Nations Cup online phase is scheduled to start on February 11, 2026.

These qualification rounds are hosted within Gran Turismo 7 on PlayStation, giving players around the world a path to the live stage.

Over six online rounds in each championship, top-ranked drivers in the GT1 League will accumulate points. At the end of the online phase, 36 drivers will be selected for the Manufacturers Cup, representing the world’s leading automotive brands, while 9 top performers will secure places in the Nations Cup. From that pool, 24 of the very best will receive invitations to Abu Dhabi for the opening event.

For aspiring competitors, the Abu Dhabi round is especially significant. A strong result in the season opener can set the tone for the rest of the year, creating momentum ahead of subsequent live events in other cities and securing valuable World Series points toward the World Finals at the end of the season.

Abu Dhabi’s Growing Portfolio of High-Profile Events

Adding the Gran Turismo World Series opener to its calendar strengthens Abu Dhabi’s positioning as a year-round destination for major events. The city already hosts the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, UFC cards, global concert tours, cultural festivals and international exhibitions. The arrival of a flagship esports series dovetails with that strategy, broadening the mix to include fully digital competition on a global scale.

City officials and tourism planners are increasingly focused on clustering events to give visitors multiple reasons to travel. With the Gran Turismo round anchored at the end of March, there is potential for synergies with other regional fixtures, from spring cultural festivals to regional motorsport series. For residents, the event adds another weekend of world-class entertainment on the doorstep.

Beyond 2026, industry observers will be watching to see whether Abu Dhabi becomes a recurring host city for Gran Turismo or other international gaming series. The success of the upcoming event will be scrutinized not only in terms of attendance and viewership, but also on-the-ground experience, production quality and community engagement.

FAQ

Q1. When and where will the 2026 Gran Turismo World Series opener take place in Abu Dhabi?
The opening round, “Round 1 – Abu Dhabi,” is scheduled for Saturday, March 28, 2026, at Space42 Arena, located near Yas Marina Circuit in the UAE capital.

Q2. What is special about this event for Abu Dhabi and the Middle East?
This will be the first time a Gran Turismo World Series event is held in the Middle East, making Abu Dhabi the regional pioneer in hosting a flagship Gran Turismo esports championship.

Q3. What is the schedule for the live show on March 28, 2026?
Doors are set to open at 14:45 local time, with a support event at 15:00, the Manufacturers Cup race at 16:00, an interval at 17:30 and the Nations Cup race at 19:00. The show is expected to finish around 20:45.

Q4. How can travelers buy tickets and what are the prices?
Tickets are available through official Gran Turismo ticketing channels. Standard adult tickets are priced at 130 AED, while Premium adult tickets cost 150 AED and offer better seating. Both options include access to all main races.

Q5. Are there discounts or special arrangements for younger fans?
Yes. Discounted tickets are offered for guests under 18 years of age. All under-18 attendees must be accompanied by an adult holding a full-price ticket.

Q6. What can spectators expect to see at Space42 Arena during the event?
Visitors can expect a full live production featuring top Gran Turismo 7 drivers competing on-stage in professional racing rigs, large screens showing the action, expert commentary, interviews, a support event and fan-focused experiences around the arena.

Q7. How do drivers qualify to race in Abu Dhabi?
Competitors must first participate in online qualifiers within Gran Turismo 7. The Manufacturers Cup qualifiers begin on January 14, 2026, and the Nations Cup qualifiers start on February 11, 2026. The highest-ranked drivers will be selected for the live event.

Q8. Is Yas Marina Circuit part of the Gran Turismo 7 experience?
Yes. Yas Marina Circuit is included as a drivable circuit in Gran Turismo 7 on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, allowing players worldwide to experience Abu Dhabi’s flagship track in-game.

Q9. What makes Abu Dhabi an attractive destination for this kind of esports event?
Abu Dhabi combines a strong record in hosting major motorsport events with a growing esports ecosystem, modern venues like Space42 Arena, world-class tourism infrastructure, and attractions ranging from theme parks and beaches to museums and cultural sites.

Q10. How can international visitors plan a trip around the event weekend?
Travelers can fly into Abu Dhabi International Airport, stay at hotels on or near Yas Island for quick access to Space42 Arena, and plan a long weekend that includes the Gran Turismo event, visits to Yas Island attractions and time exploring the city’s cultural landmarks.