FIA-sanctioned Gran Turismo 7 MENA esports championship returns for this year and next

The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile has confirmed a second and third running of its MENA Esports Championship, which uses Gran Turismo 7 to find the quickest sim racers in the Middle East and North Africa.

The 2026 final will take place with an in-person event on 24th November, Amman, Jordan, while details of the 2027 event will be announced close to its commencement.

National qualifying for those in the set regions is open now until the middle of September, with the best progressing to regional qualifiers on 18th September. From there, the top 24 drivers move on to the FIA final this November.

It’s during this event that not only will a new MENA Esports champion be crowned, but the MENA Shootout for the Assetto Corsa Rally-utilising FIA Esports Global Rally Tour will take place. The top two rally drivers will then progress to the FIA Grand Final in the discipline, held in Shanghai during the FIA Awards.