Okayama Keeps Slot as Full 2026 Calendar Revealed

Okayama International Circuit has retained its slot as the host of the second Japanese event on next year’s GT World Challenge Asia powered by AWS calendar.

The SRO Motorsports Group-operated series revealed its finalized 2026 schedule on Wednesday, having revealed a partial calendar back in June.

It confirms Okayama as the venue for the penultimate round of the season, while also firming up the dates for that race, the previous round at Fuji Speedway and the season finale on the streets of Beijing.

Both Fuji and Okayama maintain near-identical dates to this year, on July 11-12 and Aug. 29-30 respectively, with the latter allowing cars to be easily shipped to Suzuka for the 1000km Intercontinental GT Challenge round two weeks later.

Beijing, which rounds out the calendar on Oct. 17-18, is one of two Chinese races alongside the returning Shanghai, which returns to the series after a one-year absence and replaces Thailand’s Buriram on the 2026 schedule.

“Most of our 2026 calendar was publicly revealed several weeks ago but it’s good to have all of the details now confirmed so that teams can firm up their plans,” said SRO Motorsports Asia general manager Benjamin Franassovici.

“Staging a second event in China is, naturally, something that our many Chinese teams and drivers have been calling for, so it makes a lot of sense to add Shanghai – somewhere all of our customers enjoy – alongside Beijing, which will debut later this year.

“That unfortunately means we cannot visit Chang [Buriram], which has always been very welcoming and accommodating. I hope the championship can return there one day.”

UPDATE: On Thursday, the calendar for the 2026 SRO Japan Cup calendar was released, featuring an earlier-than-usual start to the season at Sugo.

The Miyagi Prefecture venue will host the opening weekend of the four-round series on May 16-17, before the two ‘SRO GT PowerTour’ rounds at Fuji and Okayama that are held concurrently with the main GTWC Asia series.

As is the case this year, the final round will be held on the support bill of the Suzuka 1000km, which as previously announced will take place on Sep. 12-13.

2026 GT World Challenge Asia powered by AWS Schedule:
April 4-5 — Sepang
May 2-3 — Mandalika
June 5-6 — Shanghai
July 11-12 — Fuji
Aug. 29-30 — Okayama
Oct. 17-18 — Beijing

2026 Japan Cup Schedule:
May 16-17 — Sugo
July 11-12 — Fuji
Aug. 29-30 — Okayama
Sep. 12-13 — Suzuka