Formula 1 is expanding its esports footprint in 2026, announcing that the Formula 1 Sim Racing World Championship will begin with a live event at DreamHack Birmingham before shifting to a newly built facility at the sport’s Media and Technology Centre in Biggin Hill.
Organizers expect roughly 50,000 gaming fans to attend the three-day festival, which will feature the F1 Sim Racing World Championship alongside a dedicated fan zone with team activations, simulators, drivers and paddock access.
After the opening event in Birmingham, the remaining three events of the 2026 championship will move to Formula 1’s new multi-purpose studio facility at its Media and Technology Centre in Biggin Hill.
“The return of the F1 Sim Racing World Championship in 2026 marks an exciting chapter for the sport with a season-opening event at DreamHack – one of the biggest gaming festivals in the world,” Emily Prazer, chief commercial officer of Formula 1, said in a statement.
“By bringing the Formula 1 2026 Sim Racing Championship to DreamHack Birmingham 2026, we are merging the absolute pinnacle of motorsport with the raw, authentic energy of the UK gaming community,” Maisto said.