New 10-year agreement comes as FIA WEC sees rising participation, attendance and manufacturer interest
The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO), founder and organiser of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, have agreed to extend their partnership for the FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC) through the end of 2037.
The agreement will begin after the current partnership expires at the end of 2027, providing a framework for another decade of development and commercial growth for the championship.
Under the renewed agreement, regulatory processes will be overseen by FIA Working Groups and the FIA Endurance Commission, with final approval required from the FIA World Motor Sport Council.
The FIA and ACO will also oversee the homologation of all cars competing in the Hypercar class under a streamlined process.
Growing Global Interest
The agreement comes as FIA WEC continues to expand its audience and manufacturer participation.
Trackside attendance has grown by 8% so far in 2026, while 44% of attendees are aged 34 or younger and 40% are attending an FIA WEC event for the first time.
Eight major automotive manufacturers currently compete in the Hypercar class. Since the introduction of LMGT3 in 2024, the championship has expanded to 14 marques on the grid, with Ford and McLaren set to join the Hypercar category in 2027.
The renewed partnership will also increase FIA branding across the championship, including at parc fermé, on the podium and Safety Cars, as well as across broadcast coverage.
New Technical Framework
The agreement will provide a framework for advancing hydrogen powertrains in endurance racing, supporting the development of technologies aimed at more sustainable transport and mobility.
A unified technical framework for top-level endurance racing Hypercars competing in FIA WEC and IMSA in North America is also planned from 2030. The framework is intended to improve cost efficiency for manufacturers competing across endurance racing championships and events globally.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem described the agreement as an important step in securing the future of the championship and strengthening the long-standing relationship between the FIA and ACO.
ACO President Pierre Fillon said the extension reinforces the partnership that has been central to the FIA WEC since its creation in 2012, while FIA General Manager Alberto Villarreal highlighted the championship’s growing fanbase and manufacturer participation.
Frédéric Lequien, CEO of Le Mans Endurance Management, the promoter of FIA WEC, said the extension provides a framework to build on the championship’s growing engagement among manufacturers, teams, partners, media and fans.
The new agreement establishes a long-term framework for the FIA World Endurance Championship as it enters its next decade of competition.
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