- The well – known Yas Marina Circuit, which is included in Gran Turismo 7 for PlayStation 4 and 5, gives global players the opportunity to explore and race on the emirate’s main track
- The announcement was made during the Gran Turismo World Series 2025 World Finals in Fukuoka, Japan
ABU DHABI, UAE, Dec. 20, 2025 — For the first time in the Middle East, Abu Dhabi is going to host the opening event of the Gran Turismo World Series 2026. It is scheduled to take place on the 28th of March 2026 at the Space42 Arena. This significant event will gather the world’s top Gran Turismo drivers to compete in an elite live championship, engaging fans in the emirate and showing Abu Dhabi’s esports capabilities to millions around the world.
The announcement was made during the Gran Turismo World Series 2025 World Finals at the Fukuoka International Congress Centre in Japan. There, H.E. Saeed Al Fazari, the Executive Director of Strategic Affairs at the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), took the stage to share the news.
The opening event of the Gran Turismo World Series 2026 is organized by Polyphony Digital Inc, a subsidiary of Sony Interactive Entertainment, which is the developer and publisher of the Gran Turismo series, and Abu Dhabi Gaming. Abu Dhabi Gaming is an initiative led by DCT Abu Dhabi that coordinates efforts to turn the emirate into a global gaming hub.
H.E. Al Fazari said: “Hosting the opener of the Gran Turismo World Series is a moment of pride for Abu Dhabi and the broader MENA region. It reflects our aspiration to be a place where there are endless possibilities. It is a significant milestone for our esports and motorsport sectors, bringing top – level global competition to the emirate and demonstrating Abu Dhabi’s proven ability to provide world – leading esports and motorsport experiences. Abu Dhabi keeps offering a safe, future – ready environment for businesses, investors, and talent, which supports our vision of becoming a global hub for innovation, entertainment, gaming, and motorsport.”
The Gran Turismo World Series is an annual competition to find the world’s best Gran Turismo player. It consists of online qualifiers open to all players and live World Series events where top racers travel to famous destinations around the world to compete.
Kazunori Yamauchi, Gran Turismo series producer., said: “We are extremely excited to see Abu Dhabi host the 2026 Gran Turismo World Series opener in March 2026. This is the first time the event will be held in the Middle East. It is a historic milestone for our championship and shows the growing influence of the region in global motorsport and esports. Also, we are very glad that Yas Marina Circuit, one of the world’s most unique motorsport venues, is now available in Gran Turismo 7. Our goal has always been to connect players with the excitement and history of racing, and Yas Marina offers a special experience that will appeal to motorsport fans and the gaming community worldwide.”
The inclusion of the Yas Marina Circuit in Gran Turismo 7 further expands Abu Dhabi’s motorsport heritage into the digital realm, creating new chances for global audiences to engage with the emirate’s culture of competitive excellence.
“This announcement is an exciting moment for motorsports and esports fans in this region and globally. It positions Abu Dhabi Gaming at the forefront of the global sim racing discussion, showing our role as a connector of world – class partners and opportunities,” said Marcos Muller‑Habig, Sector Enablement Director at Abu Dhabi Gaming. “As we continue to promote the emirate’s vision of becoming a top global destination and a leading hub for the gaming and esports industries, events like the Gran Turismo World Series 2026 act as catalysts for growth and are a key milestone in our journey to build an ecosystem that empowers talent, attracts partnerships, and speeds up business development.”
Gran Turismo, developed by Polyphony Digital Inc., a subsidiary of Sony Interactive Entertainment, is considered one of the most visually and dynamically accurate driving simulators. Recently, the series has exceeded 100 million sales.
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