The 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) season will now conclude with races in Spain and Italy after the planned rounds in Qatar and Bahrain were cancelled due to ongoing regional developments affecting freight and travel arrangements.

Instead, the championship's final two rounds will be held at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya and Autodromo Nazionale Monza, with the calendar changes subject to approval by the FIA World Motor Sport Council.

Barcelona will make its FIA WEC debut with the inaugural 6 Hours of Barcelona, scheduled for 16-18 October. Although it will be the championship's first visit to the circuit, the venue has previously hosted both the European Le Mans Series and Michelin Le Mans Cup.

The season will then conclude at the iconic Monza circuit, where the 6 Hours of Monza will take place from 6-8 November.

Known as the 'Temple of Speed', Monza has a rich endurance racing heritage spanning more than 60 years. The circuit has hosted the FIA World Sportscar Championship on multiple occasions, with legends such as John Surtees, Mario Andretti and Jacky Ickx among its winners. More recently, it featured on the FIA WEC calendar from 2021 to 2023, where Toyota and Alpine claimed victories.

FIA WEC CEO Frédéric Lequien said the championship had closely monitored developments in the Middle East before deciding an alternative plan was necessary.

"We have been closely monitoring developments in the Middle East over recent months. A few weeks ago, we were optimistic about being able to race in Qatar and Bahrain, but unfortunately, the present situation obliges us to switch to an alternative plan," he shared.

"We have duly resolved to replace those two end-of-season rounds with Barcelona and Monza. Logistically, it was imperative to take this decision now to allow manufacturers, teams and the FIA WEC organisation to make all necessary arrangements.

"I would like to warmly thank Qatar and Bahrain for their understanding in these times. We have been in constant dialogue with both tracks and their national federations, and are proud of the close, long-standing relationships we have built in the Middle East. They are hugely important and well-established events in FIA WEC, and will remain so for many years to come," he added.

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said the decision had been made with the safety of teams, officials and fans as the governing body's highest priority.

"The FIA has worked closely with our partners in Qatar and Bahrain in recent months to explore every option to preserve both events this season, but due to the ongoing situation in the region, the safety of our teams, colleagues and motorsport fans remains our highest priority," he said.

"These are never easy decisions, but protecting the wellbeing of our motorsport community will always come first," he added.

The changes affect only the final two rounds of the 2026 campaign, with the previously announced nine-round 2027 FIA WEC calendar remaining unchanged.