FIA and ACO Signed Endurance Racing Deal
The organizations extended their partnership through 2037 to secure long-term stability for the series.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Motorsports
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The FIA and the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) have signed a contract extension for the FIA World Endurance Championship, securing their collaboration through 2037. This agreement aims to foster commercial growth and establish a unified technical framework for Hypercars by 2030.
Why it matters
The deal ensures stability for endurance racing by formalizing a long-term roadmap for competition and technical innovation, including advancements in hydrogen powertrain technology. It aims to build upon recent surges in fan interest and manufacturer participation to sustain the series' global trajectory.
The series saw an 8% increase in trackside audience during 2026, with 44% of attendees aged 34 or younger and 40% identified as first-time visitors. Currently, 14 different marques compete on the grid.
The players
FIA
The Federation Internationale de l'Automobile serves as the governing body for many major world motorsport events.
ACO
The Automobile Club de l'Ouest is a French organization that is famous for organizing the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Ford
Ford is a major American automotive manufacturer that will enter the Hypercar class in 2027.
McLaren
McLaren is a British automotive manufacturer known for high-performance sports cars and racing history.
The details
The partnership oversees the homologation of all Hypercar class vehicles, with oversight provided by FIA Working Groups and the FIA Endurance Commission. New manufacturers Ford and McLaren are set to join the Hypercar class in 2027, building on the momentum of the LMGT3 class introduced in 2024.
Timeline
The FIA World Endurance Championship began its inaugural season in 2012.
Hypercar regulations were officially introduced by the series in 2021.
The LMGT3 class was integrated into the competition in 2024.
The current contract expires and Ford and McLaren join the field in 2027.
A unified technical framework for Hypercars will be introduced in 2030.
The Big Picture
This agreement builds upon the technical trajectory established by the 2021 Hypercar regulations. It serves to transition the series toward future innovations while maintaining the competitive standards that have attracted 14 marques to the grid.
The addition of Ford and McLaren to the Hypercar class in 2027 will increase the number of factory entries and likely intensify competition for podium finishes. The shift toward a unified technical framework in 2030 will necessitate significant R&D adjustments for current and future participating manufacturers.
The takeaway
The commitment to long-term collaboration ensures that fans and manufacturers can rely on a stable set of rules for over a decade. By prioritizing hydrogen technology and unified technical frameworks, the series is positioning itself to remain at the forefront of automotive innovation.
What happens next
Ford and McLaren are scheduled to enter the Hypercar class in 2027, followed by the introduction of a unified technical framework for all Hypercars in 2030.
Further reading
For additional context on the series' growth and future, visit the Motorsports section.
More information
View the Official press release and multimedia for further technical details.
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