Tourexpi
Abu Dhabi will host the opening event of the Gran
Turismo World Series 2026, marking the championship’s first appearance in the
Middle East. Scheduled for 28 March 2026 at Space42 Arena, the event will bring
together the world’s top Gran Turismo drivers for a live competition, engaging
local fans and showcasing the emirate’s growing esports credentials to a global
audience.
Global announcement in Japan
The announcement was made during the Gran Turismo
World Series 2025 World Finals at the Fukuoka International Congress Centre in
Japan. The 2026 opener will be organised by Polyphony Digital Inc., developer
and publisher of the Gran Turismo series, in collaboration with Abu Dhabi
Gaming, an initiative led by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi
(DCT Abu Dhabi).
“Hosting the Gran Turismo World Series opener is a
proud moment for Abu Dhabi and the wider MENA region,” said H.E. Saeed Al
Fazari, Executive Director of Strategic Affairs at DCT Abu Dhabi. “It reflects
our ambition to bring elite global competition to the emirate and highlights
Abu Dhabi’s proven ability to deliver world-class esports and motorsport
experiences.”
Yas Marina Circuit joins Gran Turismo 7
The event coincides with the inclusion of Yas Marina
Circuit in Gran Turismo 7 for PlayStation 4 and 5, allowing players worldwide
to race on Abu Dhabi’s flagship track in the digital arena. The move extends
the emirate’s motorsport legacy into sim racing and connects global gaming
audiences with one of the region’s most recognisable venues.
Kazunori Yamauchi, producer of the Gran Turismo
series, described the decision as a milestone for the championship. “We are
delighted to see Abu Dhabi host the 2026 opener, the first time the event will
be held in the Middle East. It underlines the region’s growing presence in
global motorsport and esports and brings a unique racing experience to players
worldwide.”
Strengthening Abu Dhabi’s esports profile
The Gran Turismo World Series is an annual competition
combining open online qualifiers with live events at international destinations
to determine the world’s best Gran Turismo players. According to Abu Dhabi
Gaming, hosting the opener positions the emirate as an increasingly influential
hub for gaming and esports.
“This event places Abu Dhabi at the centre of the
global sim racing conversation,” said Marcos Muller-Habig, Sector Enablement
Director at Abu Dhabi Gaming. “It supports our goal of building a dynamic
ecosystem that attracts talent, partnerships and long-term growth.”
Further details on tickets and event information are
available via Ticketmaster UAE.
Image
Credit: © Abu Dhabi Gaming
The most interesting news
Read the News

Global cruise market forecast to nearly double by 2034
Passenger growth, fleet expansion and rising demand for premium and experiential travel are expected to drive the market to $38.5 billion
Read the News

Hotel Indigo reaches 200 hotels as global expansion accelerates
IHG’s Luxury & Lifestyle brand has doubled its footprint since 2019 and has another 134 properties in the development pipeline
Read the News

Emirates launches first daily Dubai-Helsinki service
The new year-round route gives Finland its only direct connection to the UAE and opens new one-stop links to Asia, Africa, the Indian Ocean and Australasia
Read the News

Türkiye’s underwater heritage reveals ancient Mediterranean trade routes
More than 430 shipwrecks have been documented along the Mediterranean coast, while new excavations and museum projects are bringing thousands of years of maritime history to a wider audience
Read the News

WTTC and ICC join forces to strengthen tourism SMEs worldwide
New partnership targets regulatory, financial, digital and mobility barriers affecting small and medium-sized businesses across global Travel & Tourism
Read the News

Eurowings expands Middle East network with new Baghdad flights
New services from Berlin and Düsseldorf will complement connections to Dubai, Jeddah, Tel Aviv, Beirut, Erbil and Amman in the 2026/27 winter schedule
Read the News

Costa Rica launches interactive map of natural and cultural heritage
Free bilingual platform combines tourism, biodiversity, marine science, history and geography in a digital exploration tool
Read the News

TUI Blue puts holistic wellness at the centre of Asian escapes
TUI Blue Berawa in Bali and TUI Blue Angkor Grace in Cambodia combine yoga, recovery, healthy cuisine and local wellbeing traditions with a relaxed resort experience
Read the News

SpongeBob musical to debut at sea on Royal Caribbean’s Hero
Broadway-inspired production will headline the entertainment programme when the new Icon Class ship begins Caribbean cruises from Miami in August 2027
Read the News

Thailand links Middle East travel trade with 80 tourism businesses
Forty representatives from the UAE and Saudi Arabia met Thai suppliers after a six-day product discovery programme in Pattaya, Hua Hin and Bangkok
Read the News

Phuket Vegetarian Festival brings Hokkien traditions to the streets
The nine-day celebration from 10 to 18 October combines shrine ceremonies, processions and centuries-old rituals across Phuket City
Read the News

RIU repositions Riu Touareg as family resort after major renovation
The 1,181-room resort on Boa Vista has reopened with redesigned accommodation, expanded dining and a new focus on families
Read the News

Holland America Line to add Arcadia as 12th ship in 2029
The Vista Class vessel will transfer from P&O Cruises, adding capacity for more than 2,000 guests and supporting Holland America’s fleet modernization program
Read the News

Spain welcomes 12.3 million international tourists in August
International visitor spending exceeded €17.8 billion during the month, while arrivals rose 9.2% and destinations outside Spain’s main tourism regions recorded particularly strong expenditure growth
Read the News

Southeast Asian travellers look beyond China’s traditional gateways
Traveloka data shows bookings to China’s emerging city destinations growing more than twice as fast as demand for Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen
Read the News

Tempo by Hilton to make German debut at Munich Airport Arena
The 199-room lifestyle hotel is scheduled to open in 2029 as part of the new MUNICH ARENA entertainment campus near Munich Airport
Read the News

Lufthansa Group expands Japan network to 50 weekly flights
Lufthansa will return to Nagoya and add daily Frankfurt–Tokyo Narita services as the group significantly increases Japan capacity for Summer 2027
Read the News

Silversea adds 103 voyages for 2028-2029 season
The new collection spans 56 countries and introduces culinary sailings, 29 new ports and a 75-night circumnavigation of South America
Read the News

Hyatt Centric Sapporo opens as new base for exploring Hokkaido
The 216-room property is the Hyatt Centric brand’s first hotel in Hokkaido, combining a central Sapporo location with a strong focus on regional design and cuisine
Read the News

Oktoberfest draws growing interest from Asian travellers
Agoda data shows strong search growth from China, India and Japan, while visitors increasingly combine Munich with other German destinations
Read the News

Indonesia targets Australian travellers with quality tourism strategy
Bali, Lombok, Labuan Bajo and Borobudur anchor a campaign designed to encourage longer stays, higher-value travel and deeper local experiences