• German circuit to stage three-hour Endurance Cup event featuring 55-car field
• Pit walks and autograph session among fan activities planned at iconic Eifel venue
• Busy weekend also includes Lamborghini Super Trofeo, GT3 Revival Series and Mazda MX-5 Cup Benelux
GT World Challenge powered by AWS returns to action next weekend (28–30 August) when a three-hour Endurance Cup race at the Nürburgring launches the decisive phase of the 2026 campaign.
A 55-car grid will chase victory at the Eifel venue, which hosts its 15th GT World Challenge event since joining the calendar in 2012. This begins a run of four rounds in eight weeks – two each for the Sprint Cup and the Endurance Cup – culminating in the season finale at Portimão in mid-October.
But we may not have to wait that long to decide this year’s Endurance Cup champions, with at least one title likely to be settled in Germany. The weekend will also feature a busy support line-up consisting of Lamborghini Super Trofeo, the GT3 Revival Series and the Mazda MX-5 Cup Benelux.
Off-track activities will give fans even more to see and do at the legendary German venue, with pit walks and an autograph session allowing spectators to see the cars up close and meet the drivers. The location is nothing short of spectacular, blending a rich motorsport culture with breathtaking Eifel scenery.
The Nürburgring is familiar territory for GT World Challenge. Indeed, with the exception of Spa-Francorchamps, no circuit has staged more events than the 5.1km GP-Strecke. This year’s 55-car grid features 10 manufacturers, marking the first Endurance Cup race since the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa ran at the end of June. Porsche was the big winner in the Ardennes as Lionspeed GP produced a remarkable charge from the back of the field to secure victory.
Mercedes-AMG Team Mann-Filter took the runner-up spot, the squad’s third such result from as many Endurance Cup races following Circuit Paul Ricard and Monza. This result put the trio of Maro Engel, Lucas Auer and Luca Stolz in position to be crowned champions at the Nürburgring, where a finish of fourth or better will seal the title regardless of what their rivals achieve.
Among the class battles, the Gold Cup is the closest contest heading to Germany with just eight points separating Garage 59 (McLaren) from ROWE Racing (BMW). Team WRT (BMW) holds a commanding advantage in Silver and is on course to secure the title with a round to spare, while Kessel Racing (Ferrari) looks well placed to defend its Bronze crown after scoring maximum points at the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa.
Click here to view the Nürburgring entry list
The Nürburgring is among the most famous and historic venues in global motorsport. As such, it is a must-visit for every fan. The surrounding area is steeped in racing culture, with memorabilia found in almost every local bar and plenty of racing-related businesses. The wider region is visually spectacular, from the verdant Eifel mountains to the imposing Nürburg castle which can be seen from the circuit.
At the track, there will be plenty of opportunities to get close to the action. At 17:55 on Saturday evening, the public will be invited into the pit lane where they can watch as the teams undertake pit stop practice. There will also be an autograph session between 12:30 and 13:10 on Sunday, followed by a pit walk between 13:45 and 14:15. On display at the circuit, fans can see the BMW M3 Touring 24H which became a cult icon during this year’s Nürburgring 24 Hours.
The circuit is also home to a series of merchandise stores – both modern and retro – selling a very wide variety of souvenirs. You’ll find the usual items like t-shirts, hats and stickers, as well as more unique mementos – including a toaster that leaves an imprint of the Nordschleife layout on your toast!
Click here for more information on the Nürburgring
As ever, there's plenty more on-track activity to look forward to during the Nürburgring weekend. Lamborghini Super Trofeo returns from its summer break with just nine points separating three crews at the top of the Pro standings. Silas Lovén Rytter and Patrik Fraboni (Oregon Team) lead Kevin Gilardoni and Simone Iaquinta (DL Racing) by seven, with Nicholas Pujatti and Benedetto Strigano (Villorba Corse) two points further back. The Eifel venue marks its 14th appearance on the Super Trofeo calendar and is sure to produce another pair of entertaining races.
The GT3 Revival Series is set for its maiden appearance at the Nürburgring. Launched this year as a home for the early generations of GT3 machinery, the new championship has attracted big grids featuring some iconic cars. The Pro-Am title could be settled in Germany, with Jean-Luc Beaubelique on the cusp of closing the deal with his Ferrari 458 – which, in a previous life, scored class honours at the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa.
The Mazda MX-5 Cup Benelux completes the Nürburgring support line-up. Using the globally popular MX-5 platform, this one-make series is popular with young hopefuls and experienced veterans. The Nürburgring makes the fourth of six events and is the only one staged outside the Benelux region.
Click here to view to view the full timetable
Tickets begin at 10€ for Friday, while Saturday entry costs 20€ and Sunday is priced at 30€. The best value comes from a full weekend pass, which grants access for all three days and costs 40€. All tickets include access to the paddock and grandstands, while a range of VIP options are also available.
Children aged 11 and under may attend free of charge with a paying adult, while those aged between 12 and 17 are entitled to a reduced rate. There are also concessions for spectators who meet a specified disability threshold.
Click here to view tickets
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 from the Nürburgring begins at 10:50 on Saturday with Free Practice 1, followed on Sunday by Qualifying at 09:45 and the main event at 15:00. The GT3 Revival Series will also air live on GT World.