Bahrain Motorsport Events 2026/27: Racing, Drift, Drag & Karting

Bahrain’s motorsport calendar gets busy quickly once October arrives.

Formula 1 may be the event most people associate with Bahrain International Circuit, but the local season is much broader than one Grand Prix weekend. From national circuit racing and karting to drifting, autocross and one of the region’s biggest drag racing championships, there is something happening almost every few weeks through the cooler months.

Below is a look at some of the main motorsport events currently scheduled in Bahrain for the 2026/27 season.

For the continuously updated calendar, you can also browse all upcoming car and motorsport events in Bahrain.

Next Motorsport Events in Bahrain

October: the local season gets underway

October is where Bahrain’s domestic motorsport calendar really starts moving.

The first National Race Day is scheduled for 9 October, followed by a BRMC karting round on 10 October. Another karting date follows on 16 October, before the first Bahrain Drift Championship round on 23 October and AutoX on 24 October.

The month closes with National Race Day Round 2 on 30 October. That weekend is particularly interesting because Bahrain International Circuit has confirmed that the opening round of the 2026/27 Bahrain Touring Car Challenge will form part of the National Race Day programme. The championship is due to hold its official shakedown at BIC on 16 October before racing begins on the 30th.

For anyone wanting to see the local racing scene rather than only the international headline events, October is probably one of the best months to start following the Bahrain calendar.

November: concours cars, drag racing and national competition

November is arguably the standout month.

The Royal Bahrain Concours returns to the Royal Golf Club on 6–7 November, bringing together rare collector cars from the GCC and abroad. Organisers say the 2026 edition is expected to feature 60 concours cars alongside a much larger display from regional car clubs.

It is not a motorsport event in the traditional sense, but for anyone travelling to Bahrain specifically for cars, the overlap makes that weekend particularly interesting.

The domestic programme then continues with:

• AutoX Round 2 - 13 November
• National Race Day Round 3 - 14 November
• BRMC karting - 21 November
• Bahrain Drag Racing Championship Round 1 - 24–27 November
• Bahrain Drift Championship Round 2 - 27 November
• National Race Day Round 4 - 28 November

That mix says a lot about Bahrain’s motorsport scene: circuit racing, karting, drifting and drag racing all sit within the same relatively compact calendar.

No WEC race in Bahrain in 2026

One major event that will not feature on Bahrain’s 2026 motorsport calendar is the Bapco Energies 8 Hours of Bahrain.

Bahrain International Circuit confirmed on 28 July that Le Mans Endurance Management had cancelled the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship round following discussions between the parties and in light of the situation across the Middle East.

The race had originally been scheduled for 5-7 November and was expected to conclude the 2026 WEC season.

BIC says customers who purchased tickets or hospitality will receive automatic refunds. The circuit also expects the FIA World Endurance Championship to return to Bahrain in 2027.

December: drag racing and the final events of 2026

The season does not slow down much in December.

The second Bahrain Drag Racing Championship round is currently listed for 1–4 December, followed by another National Race Day on 11 December and karting on 12 December. AutoX and drift then return over the Christmas period, with rounds scheduled for 25 and 26 December respectively.

Bahrain’s drag racing programme is particularly worth watching. Bahrain International Circuit operates an NHRA-sanctioned drag strip, and the national championship remains one of the most established drag racing series in the region.

The season continues into 2027

The current Bahrain calendar already extends well into 2027.

January includes further rounds of drag racing, karting, National Race Day, AutoX and the Bahrain Drift Championship, while additional drag, AutoX and drift rounds are scheduled through February and March.

That makes Bahrain different from markets where motorsport is concentrated into only a few major weekends. During the Gulf winter season, there is usually another event approaching within a matter of weeks.

Which Bahrain motorsport events are worth watching?

For visitors interested in Bahrain’s local motorsport scene, National Race Day is one of the best events to follow. It brings together several forms of circuit competition and gives a broader picture of the drivers, teams and championships active in Bahrain throughout the season.

Drift fans should follow the Bahrain Drift Championship dates, while the Bahrain Drag Racing Championship is worth keeping an eye on if straight-line racing is more your thing.

And if your interest extends beyond racing, the Royal Bahrain Concours adds a completely different type of motoring event to the November calendar.

Keep checking the Bahrain calendar

Dates, schedules and supporting programmes can change as events get closer.

GulfShows tracks upcoming car, motorcycle and motorsport events from official organizers and updates individual event pages as further information becomes available.