Manama: Bahrain International Circuit (BIC), the Home of Motorsport in the Middle East, announced the start of its 2025–2026 season with a programme of international and national events.
Details were announced at a press conference held at the circuit in Sakhir, attended by Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa, BIC Chief Executive; Mark Thomas, Chief Executive Officer of Bapco Energies Group; Sherif Al Mahdy, BIC Chief Commercial Officer; and senior officials and guests.
Shaikh Salman bin Isa said BIC hosted a record 424 events during the 2024–2025 season, compared with 363 the previous year. These included 48 races, such as Formula 1 and the World Endurance Championship, along with regional and national series including drag racing and karting, in addition to corporate events.
The circuit also hosted 112 non-motorsport events, including fitness programmes, shopping festivals, darts, corporate functions, and exhibitions.
Shaikh Salman noted that the Bahrain International Karting Circuit (BIKC) hosted 71 events and 18 races last season, welcoming more than 64,000 participants, with over 40% under the age of 25.
He said the new season will include the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, the World Endurance Championship, and the Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals, which will be held from November 28 to December 6. The event will bring together more than 400 drivers from over 60 countries across eight categories. Team Bahrain will take part with nine drivers in six classes.
Shaikh Salman added that BIKC will introduce a new fleet of karts at the start of the season to enhance the experience for participants.
The season will also highlight Bahrain’s national championships, organised in cooperation with the Bahrain Motor Federation. These include the Bahrain Drag Racing Championship, regarded as the leading drag series in the Middle East. It will feature five rounds between November and March 2026, with winners in each category receiving the prestigious “Wally Trophy” awarded to champions of NHRA-sanctioned events.
In circuit racing, the Bahrain Touring Car Championship (BTCC), formerly the BIC 2000cc Challenge, and the Bahrain Motorcycle Championship will be held over seven rounds, from October until April 2026.
Two national karting championships will also be staged at BIKC’s 1.414-kilometre CIK-FIA track: the Sakhir Rotax MAX Challenge and the Bahrain Rotax MAX Challenge.
Circuit and karting races will be held both day and night, alongside competitions in drifting, time attack, autocross, and burnout.
