Seven invitations already confirmed for the 2027 24 Hours of Le Mans

The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the biggest endurance classic in international motorsport. However, Le Mans is also an invitation-only event. This means that the organiser, the ACO (Automobile Club de l’Ouest), decides who is allowed to take part. The 24 Hours of Le Mans is scheduled for the weekend of 12–13 June 2027.

Next year, 62 cars will once again be entered at Le Mans. As is customary, the race cars that will compete at Le Mans are those entered for the full 2027 season in the FIA WEC. The reason for this is quite simple: the 24 Hours of Le Mans forms part of the World Endurance Championship. However, in addition to the WEC entries, there are further places available for Le Mans 2027. These are allocated by the ACO via invitations based on results achieved. To actually be able to take up this starting permit, however, the relevant teams must also fulfil various conditions.

Following the 2026 European Le Mans Series finale held at the weekend, it has now been confirmed that United Autosports (ELMS LMP2 Champion), Forestier Racing by Panis (ELMS LMP2 Runners-up), Algarve Pro Racing (ELMS LMP2 Pro/Am champion) and CLX Motorsport (ELMS LMP3 champion) have received invitations to the 2027 24 Hours of Le Mans. All four entries are valid in the LMP2 class.

Will there be four Corvettes at Le Mans again in 2027?

The Corvette team TF Sport has also received an invitation, having won the 2026 ELMS LMGT3 class championship. This invitation is therefore also valid for the LMGT3 class at Le Mans. Invitations had previously been issued via the American IMSA series. It was here that George Kurtz claimed the Jim Trueman Award, which is presented to the best LMP2 gentleman driver. Orey Fidani, driving a Corvette, won the Bob Akin Award for the best GT gentleman driver in the IMSA.

In theory, Kurtz and Fidani can now look for teams willing to take on the challenge of Le Mans 2027 with them, as the invitations are personalised. Kurtz’s invitation would count towards the LMP2 class at Le Mans, whilst Fidani’s would count towards the LMGT3 category.

This means that, thanks to these invitations, two Corvette Z06 LMGT3.Rs are now highly likely to feature at Le Mans 2027. Should TF Sport secure two full-time entries in the WEC again in 2027, there could even be four Corvettes on the grid at Le Mans.

IMSA also allocates a third Le Mans entry, which would be for the Hypercar class. This has traditionally gone to the championship-winning team in the IMSA GTP class. In 2026, Cadillac Whelen clinched the IMSA title. As is well known, Action Express Racing is behind the team. However, the decision on how to allocate the entry lies with IMSA. It is therefore still unclear at present what will happen with this entry. The Asian Le Mans Series will also take place again this coming winter, where further entries for Le Mans 2027 are up for grabs.