The FIA World Endurance Championship is going bigger than ever, with officials confirming a nine-round 2027 calendar that includes the long-awaited return to Silverstone — marking WEC’s first visit to the UK since 2019.
Silverstone’s return was officially announced at the ACO’s annual press conference on Friday at Le Mans, ending eight years of speculation and negotiation.
The Complete 2027 WEC Calendar
Silverstone: Eight Years in the Wilderness
The Six Hours of Silverstone will take place on Sunday, April 25, 2027, serving as the third round of the championship.
Key facts about the return:
Not seen WEC since 2019 — last race was Toyota’s victory with Lopez, Conway, and Kobayashi
Mainstay from 2012-2019 — hosted championship from inaugural season through 2019
Home of British F1 and MotoGP — England’s premier motorsport venue
2026 ELMS return — hosted European Le Mans Series on September 14, 2025, drawing 40,000 three-day crowd
“The return of the 6 Hours of Silverstone next season marks an important milestone for the championship,” said FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
“Silverstone is a venue with a rich endurance racing heritage, and its return reflects both the continued growth of the FIA World Endurance Championship and the increasing global appeal of our sport”.
– Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit – Towcester – Northamptonshire
Why the Wait Was So Long
Silverstone’s return has been complicated by multiple factors:
- Ownership Issues: Circuit owners were reluctant to commit to the WEC despite strong interest
- European Calendar Logistics: Series boss Frédéric Lequien acknowledged “complexities of introducing another European round into a schedule that currently begins its fly-away leg in the immediate wake of Le Mans”
- Timing Conflict: WEC desired a “traditional home” in the UK at a “traditional home” time, but scheduling proved difficult
- ELMS Double-Header: The European Le Mans Series double-header at Silverstone added complexity to WEC negotiations
Lequien remained committed though: “We would love to return to Silverstone, because we know the fan base for endurance is huge in the UK”.
What This Means for British Motorsport
The return gives British fans their first WEC race since 2019, with the Six Hours slotting in April before the traditional European spring endurance season. Ford’s 2027 entry arrives perfectly timed for the Silverstone return, with Matt Campbell, Tom Blomqvist, and Nick Yelloly all joining the WEC grid next year. McLaren’s WEC debut also lands in 2027, making the British manufacturer’s home race a potential showcase event.
“The FIA World Endurance Championship represents the pinnacle of international endurance racing, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans is its beating heart,” said ACO president Pierre Fillon.
“It is a discipline that is continuously gaining in both popularity and prestige — as evidenced by the unprecedented on-site audience here this weekend, with ticket sales at an all-time high — and 2027 looks set to be FIA WEC’s biggest and best season yet”.
Global Expansion: 60% of Races Outside Europe
The nine-round 2027 calendar maintains the WEC’s global footprint:
Europe: 4 rounds (Imola, Silverstone, Spa, Le Mans)
Asia: 3 rounds (Qatar, Fuji, Bahrain)
North America: 1 round (COTA)
South America: 1 round (Sao Paulo)
This gives 55% of races outside Europe (5 of 9), maintaining the championship’s fly-away appeal while adding European depth.
Championship History: Back to Nine Rounds
The 2027 calendar returns WEC to its 2016-2017 peak of nine rounds, after operating at:
2018/19: 8 rounds (super-season with two Le Mans)
2019/20: 8 rounds (COVID-affected)
2023: 7 rounds (COVID recovery)
2024-2025: 8 rounds (current)
The championship has remained stable at eight rounds since the super-season, making 2027 the first expansion since 2017.
