2027 EWC calendar: Manufacturers’ wish for more races remains unfulfilled

The organisers of the World Endurance Championship have unveiled the calendar for the 2027 season. There are no major surprises: the FIM EWC will once again comprise just four rounds and will be held at the same circuits as last season. Two 24-hour races and two 8-hour races continue to form the backbone of the championship.

This means that a key wish of the participating motorbike manufacturers remains unfulfilled. The manufacturers are unanimously in favour of expanding the calendar. After all, a world championship with just four events is unusually compact. Nevertheless, the organisers are opting for continuity rather than additional races in 2027 as well.

This means the calendar will follow the same pattern for the third year running. Le Mans, Spa-Francorchamps, Suzuka and the Bol d’Or were already on the programme in 2025 and 2026.

Le Mans opens the season once again

As is traditional, the season kicks off with the 24 Hours of Le Mans. From 8 to 11 April, the EWC will be visiting the Bugatti Circuit in France. The first race of the season is also one of the biggest challenges of the year: in a 24-hour race, significant gaps in the points between the title contenders can already emerge right at the start.

The first of the two 8-hour races follows in early June. On 4 and 5 June, the championship makes a stop at the historic Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium. Whilst the event was previously also held over 24 hours, the more compact 8-hour format has now become established.

Just four weeks later, the next highlight is already on the programme. From 2 to 4 July, the World Endurance Championship will be held in Suzuka, Japan. The 8 Hours of Suzuka is of enormous importance, particularly to the Japanese manufacturers. Honda, Yamaha and Suzuki traditionally have particularly high ambitions for their home race.

The event is also becoming increasingly important for the European manufacturers. Not least, BMW has shown with its recent performances that the Japanese works teams now face serious competition even on their prestigious home circuit.

The Bol d’Or remains the grand season finale

The championship will then take a break of more than two months. The fourth and final race of the season, the Bol d’Or, will take place at the Circuit Paul Ricard from 16 to 19 September.

The French 24-hour race will thus once again decide the World Championship title. Just how significant the season finale is only became clear in 2026: at the Bol d’Or, BMW managed to close the gap on defending champions YART and became the first European manufacturer to win the World Endurance Championship.

Four races are not enough for the manufacturers

From a sporting perspective, the calendar undoubtedly brings together four of the most prestigious events in endurance racing. Nevertheless, the small number of World Championship rounds remains a point of criticism.

The participating manufacturers and many riders are united in their desire for additional events. An expansion would not only offer more opportunities to showcase the motorbikes in international competition, but would also enhance the sporting significance of the World Championship.

With only four races, technical faults, crashes and other unforeseen events have a particularly significant impact on the outcome of the championship.