F1 Powerboat World Championship 2026: Seven-round global calendar revealed as Victory Team prepares to defend title
F1 Powerboat World Championship 2026 confirmed a seven-round schedule across five countries, with the defending Victory Team gearing up to protect its crown in a season that opens in Cagliari and closes in Sharjah.
Organisers confirm 2026 calendar
The organisers of the F1 Powerboat World Championship unveiled the official 2026 calendar, announcing seven Grand Prix events spanning Europe, Asia and the Middle East. The season will begin in Cagliari, Italy, and conclude at Lake Khalid in Sharjah, framing a global itinerary designed to expand the sport’s footprint.
The calendar includes a historic debut in Central Asia and back-to-back events in China, underlining the championship’s strategic growth. Several locations are finalised while a pair of venues remain to be confirmed by the organisers in due course.
Season opener set for Cagliari on May 29–31
The championship opens in Cagliari, Italy, from May 29 to 31, marking the first race of the 2026 season. Teams will use the event to establish early form and gather crucial data on boat setup and race strategies.
Cagliari’s coastal circuit has long been a technical and weather-dependent challenge that often separates contenders from the rest. Organisers expect a full field as teams arrive with refreshed line-ups and updated machinery.
Historic Central Asian debut in Kyrgyzstan
For the first time in the series’ history, a Grand Prix will take place in Central Asia, with Kyrgyzstan hosting a round from July 31 to August 2. The move represents a notable expansion for the championship and is aimed at tapping new regional audiences.
Officials said the Kyrgyz event will be the sport’s inaugural visit to the region and will be staged on a purpose-built course that meets international safety and broadcast standards. The decision follows growing interest in powerboat racing across Asia and the Middle East.
China to host consecutive rounds including Shanghai on Oct 3–4
The championship then heads to China for consecutive races in the autumn, with the first of the two Chinese rounds scheduled between September 28 and 30 at a venue to be announced. The second Chinese event will be the Shanghai Grand Prix, taking place on October 3 and 4.
China’s double-header is expected to draw significant manufacturer and sponsor attention, offering teams a chance to score valuable points during a compact portion of the schedule. Logistics and quick turnaround will test team operations and endurance across back-to-back race weekends.
Middle East triple-header spans November and December
Competition returns to the Middle East as the series stages a round in Jeddah from November 27 to 29, continuing the championship’s established presence in the region. A subsequent Middle East event is scheduled for December 11 to 13, with the precise host city to be confirmed later by organisers.
The season finale is set for Lake Khalid in Sharjah from December 18 to 20, where organisers will run the 25th Sharjah Grand Prix as part of the “Road to Sharjah” series. The Middle East leg consolidates the sport’s commercial base and offers strong spectator engagement ahead of the closing round.
Victory Team returns as defending champions with strong line-up
Victory Team, champions for the first time last season, enters 2026 determined to retain the F1 Powerboat World Championship title. The squad will field a line-up featuring reigning drivers’ champion Sean Torrente alongside Alek Wikstrom and Emirati racer Ahmed Al Fahim.
Team principals emphasise continuity and targeted development work through the winter, citing upgrades to hull design and engine mapping as priorities. With the championship’s expanded reach, Victory Team hopes its experience and recent success will translate into consistent podiums across the varied race locations.
The presence of Ahmed Al Fahim also underlines the growing representation of Middle Eastern talent within the series, and the Sharjah finale offers a home-region stage for regional supporters.
The new calendar poses tactical challenges for teams, from long-haul logistics to adapting setups for distinct water and weather conditions. Teams will need to balance development with reliability to navigate the seven-round schedule successfully.
The organisers say further details on race formats, ticketing and local event partners will be released in the coming weeks as venue confirmations are finalised. Promoters have highlighted fan zones and broadcast enhancements intended to broaden access and bring the races to a wider global television and streaming audience.
With the first race less than six weeks away, teams will intensify on-water testing and finalise travel plans. The combination of a historic Central Asian stop, a China double-header and a Sharjah finale gives the 2026 F1 Powerboat World Championship a distinctly global footprint and a competitive structure that promises open, high-speed racing.
