The FIA has launched its Global Rally Esports Tour, with Assetto Corsa Rally at its core, featuring online qualifiers, regional events, and a live final in Shanghai.
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The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile has officially unveiled the FIA Esports Global Rally Tour, introducing a new international competition focused entirely on rally sim racing. The initiative forms part of the FIA’s broader strategy to expand esports and increase participation in motorsport on a global scale.
Backed by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem and supported by all FIA Vice-Presidents for Sport, the project signals a clear long-term commitment to developing esports as a structured pathway within motorsport. The championship is designed to connect sim racing more closely with the FIA’s global ecosystem, while also creating new opportunities for drivers to compete internationally.
A key detail in this announcement is the platform choice. Assetto Corsa Rally will serve as the foundation of the entire competition, from the first qualifying sessions through to the highest level of competition.
The online qualifier, scheduled from 12 to 25 May, will take place exclusively on the platform. This phase is open globally and is expected to attract a wide range of sim racers, from established names to emerging talent. By placing Assetto Corsa Rally at the centre of the structure, the FIA is effectively positioning it as a reference platform for competitive rally esports.
The qualifier will narrow the field down to 56 drivers. These drivers will then be divided across six regions: Europe, MENA, North America, South America, Asia-Pacific, and Africa. Each region will be represented by eight drivers, creating a balanced and globally distributed competitive field.
Following the online phase, the competition moves into a series of regional shootouts. These events will feature a knockout format consisting of quarter-finals, semi-finals, and finals, bringing a more direct and high-pressure competitive structure.
The Asia-Pacific region will host the first of these events on 23 June during the FIA Conference in Macau. Europe’s round is scheduled for 16 to 18 October in Frankfurt, where it will take place as part of the annual SimRacing Expo. Additional locations and dates for the remaining regions are expected to be announced at a later stage.
All live events will be supported by FIA Esports Official Suppliers Advanced SimRacing and D-BOX. Their involvement ensures a consistent hardware standard across events, providing drivers with a professional and competitive environment.
At the end of the regional stages, a total of 16 drivers will advance to the final phase of the championship. Each region will contribute two drivers, while Europe will receive four slots due to its larger number of FIA Member Clubs.
Two additional wildcard entries will be selected by the FIA, completing the final grid. This approach allows for flexibility in the selection process and opens the door for standout performers who may not have qualified through the standard pathway.
The championship will conclude in Shanghai during FIA Awards Week in December 2026. Finalists will first compete in an on-site session to determine their starting positions for the Grand Final.
The Grand Final itself is scheduled for 12 December, where the top competitors will go head-to-head in front of a live audience. The two best drivers will then face off on stage during the FIA Awards Ceremony, bringing the competition to a close in a high-profile setting.
According to FIA Esports Commission President Niroshan Pereira, the Global Rally Tour is intended to strengthen the connection between sim racing and traditional motorsport structures. The initiative also reflects the continued growth of esports audiences and the increasing relevance of competitive gaming within the motorsport landscape.
With a clearly defined structure, global reach, and a dedicated platform in Assetto Corsa Rally, the FIA Esports Global Rally Tour establishes rally sim racing as a serious competitive discipline. The decision to build the entire championship around a single platform provides consistency and sets a foundation for future expansion.
The series marks a step forward in how rally esports is organised at an international level, with direct backing from the FIA and integration into its wider motorsport framework.
