> GT World Challenge powered by AWS headlines with record 44-car Sprint Cup field
> Includes new live music event in the paddock – ElektronFest – with Planet Funk, Dj Ralf, Fresco and L3UMAS on Saturday from 18:00 to 01:00
> Stacked support line-up features GT2 Europe, GT4 Europe and McLaren Trophy Europe
> Further fan activations include beach party, pit walk and autograph session
GT World heads to Misano next weekend (17–19 July) for an event that promises to be spectacular both on and off the circuit. Headlined by a record-breaking GT World Challenge powered by AWS Sprint Cup grid, the Italian venue will also play host to a superb support line-up and a long list of fan activities – including a new live music event in the paddock.
ElektronFest will takes place in the Fan Zone on Saturday evening with a line-up that includes Planet Funk, Dj Ralf, Fresco and L3UMAS. All tickets that include Saturday will allow access to the concert, which runs from 18:00 to 01:00 on Sunday morning.
Located just 3 kilometres from a bustling resort town that overlooks the ocean, Misano is a truly epic location for a race circuit. As the home track of Valentino Rossi it draws a huge crowd of passionate supporters who will hope to see The Doctor score his fourth victory in as many years. Whatever the outcome, they can expect wall-to-wall entertainment with motorsport, music and more by the sea.
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With a 44-car field expected to make the trip to Misano, we’re set for the biggest-ever grid at a Sprint Cup event. But it’s not just about quantity: there’s a huge amount of quality, too.
Fans will be especially spoilt for choice when it comes to machinery. Italian automotive excellence is represented by Ferrari and Lamborghini – the latter fielding its new Temerario GT3 – while German manufacturers Audi, BMW, Mercedes-AMG and Porsche, as well as British marques Aston Martin and McLaren, add to the competitive picture.
The grid features some of the very best international talent. In addition to local superstar Valentino Rossi (BMW), fans will also know the likes of Maro Engel (Mercedes-AMG), Arthur Leclerc (Ferrari) and Nicki Thiim (Aston Martin) to name just a few. There’s quality throughout the field, so the racing promises to be extremely competitive. The weekend’s opening contest gets underway just before sunset at 20:30 on Saturday, so conditions will change dramatically over the course of the race.
This will be the first event since the passing of the legendary Marc van der Straten, whose Marc VDS team secured CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa victory in 2015. In recent years he had been an important part of the Boutsen VDS squad, who will hope to honour his memory on the track at Misano.
Click here to see the full entry list
Misano is legendary for its nightlife, with plenty of popular clubs across the region. At the circuit, GT World will bring its own variety of evening entertainment. As well as a late start to Saturday’s race, there's also a brand-new musical element for 2026.
It's called ElektronFest and it takes place in the Fan Zone on Saturday evening. The line-up is led by Planet Funk and Dj Ralf, joined by L3UM4S, Fresco, Cromadisco, Deledda, and Viceversa, to keep the party going long after the chequered flag.
Access to ElektronFest is included with all multi-day passes, Saturday-only tickets, and evening tickets (valid for entry after 18:00 on Saturday), so everyone can experience this new addition to the event.
Misano promises to be one of the busiest weekends of the season. The Samsara Beach Party will bring together drivers and fans on Thursday evening, with music and a sea view making for a perfect curtain-raiser. The Fan Zone will be open from Friday with food and drinks stalls, merchandise, big screens to watch the action, and more. On Saturday evening there will be a pit walk and another chance to meet the drivers during an autograph session.
There’s also something completely different on offer. ‘Dinner in the Sky’ will allow fans to watch the best GT drivers while sitting high above the ground – and enjoying a delicious meal. A kitchen with chefs and waiting staff is lifted into the air, providing diners with a truly unique perspective on the cars below. This will be open on all three days and offers breakfasts, lunches, aperitifs and dinners.
Tickets for the Misano event are available now, starting at 10€ for Friday and 25€ for single-day tickets on Saturday and Sunday. A full weekend ticket costs 40€, while a three-day pass is available for 45€. If you just want to attend on Saturday evening – which will include Race 1 for GT World Challenge and access to ElektronFest – a ticket is available for 20€. Kids under 12 can attend for 1€ per day with a paying adult.
Click here for tickets
The Misano timetable is packed with on-track action. The GT2 European Series powered by Pirelli stages its third event of the year after launching at Monza and then tackling Spa-Francorchamps. The new Silver class has been fiercely contested, with little to choose between the top three in standings, while further competition comes from the Pro-Am and Masters classes.
The GT4 European Series also contests its third event of 2026 at Misano. BMW drivers Gabriele Piana and Thomas Rackl completed a dominant double at Spa, though they still trail Mercedes-AMG duo Cedric Fuchs and Enrico Förderer as the second half of the season gets underway.
McLaren Trophy Europe has been a regular at Misano and is back for another pair of races this season. The one-make series for the British marque’s Artura Trophy machine stages all of its rounds as part of the GT World tour and promises plenty of action between a 20-car field.
There’s a new addition to the support line-up at Misano – and a chance to see single-seater action – thanks to TopJet 2000. Primarily staged in Italy, the series features a variety of chassis and engines, including Formula 3 and Formula 4 machinery from the recent past. They will contest two races at Misano, one lasting 20 minutes and the other running for half an hour.
Click here to view the full timetable
If you can’t make it to the track, GT World Challenge races are streamed live around the world on the GT World YouTube channel. This is entirely free, allowing fans to experience every second of the action no matter where they are. Live coverage begins on Saturday afternoon with Qualifying 1 at 13:05 and continues for Race 1 (20:30). Sunday is live too, with Qualifying 2 at 10:05 and Race 2 at 14:30. GT2 Europe, GT4 Europe and McLaren Trophy Europe will also air live on GT World.