•    Michelin 8H QATAR revealed as curtain-raiser to superb Middle East Trophy calendar
•    Series organiser Creventic proud to announce December date at Lusail International Circuit 
•    Traditional Middle East Trophy events in Dubai and Abu Dhabi will complete series

Gennep, Netherlands (11 February 2026):
Creventic’s ultra-popular Michelin 24H SERIES Middle East Trophy is set for its best ever calendar for the 2026/2027 season, following an exciting announcement today which confirms the first round of the campaign will be held at the incredible Lusail International Circuit in Qatar.

Taking place across Friday, 11 December, and Saturday, 12 December, the Michelin 8H QATAR event will be the curtain-raising race meeting for the three round championship and will also mean the entirety of the new Middle East Trophy season will be contested within the Gulf region.

Although the final order of the 2026/2027 calendar is yet to be fully ratified, Creventic can state both Dubai Autodrome and Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi will, unsurprisingly, remain vital parts of the Middle East Trophy.

As well as adding one of global motorsport’s most popular and prestigious motor racing venues to the increasingly high-profile series, the presence of Qatar should prove especially attractive to teams based in Europe – and not only because of the favourable warm weather!

Cars and kit will be able to be shipped to the Middle East early in the winter, then remaining in the Gulf region during December and January – a major logistical benefit. Testing opportunities will also be available and, for the Michelin 8H QATAR specifically, there will be two CR Track Days at Lusail ahead of the event on Wednesday, 9 December, and Thursday, 10 December. 

Creventic has been in close contact with the management team at Lusail International Circuit for over two years now, and so the fruition of an agreement for the Michelin 24H SERIES Middle East Trophy to race at the spectacular FIA Formula One World Championship venue is significant.

The expansion of activities in the region underscores the huge popularity and success of this past January’s events in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, where huge grids were present for both, and also reflects the increasing prominence of Qatar as a major international sporting and tourist destination.

Meanwhile, Creventic also remains firmly committed to a return to the Far East at some point in the future. Indeed, through the organisation’s co-operation with the Chinese Endurance Championship – for which the Michelin 8H QATAR will also be the final round of the 2026 CEC campaign – there are many strong opportunities within the Asian market.

Helen Roukens, Team Relations at Creventic:
“We are very proud to announce this new race in Qatar. Over the past years we have built a strong and successful foundation in the Middle East with our races in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, which were very well supported by teams and drivers. With the addition of Qatar, we aim to offer our competitors a complete and attractive winter racing programme.”

Abdulaziz Al Mohannadi, Chief Executive Officer at Lusail International Circuit – Qatar: 
“We are pleased to welcome the Michelin 24H SERIES Middle East Trophy to Lusail International Circuit for the inaugural Michelin 8H QATAR. Hosting this endurance event reflects our continued commitment to bringing international motorsport to Qatar. As a venue that regularly stages major global competitions, LIC is proud to host the opening round of the 2026/2027 MICHELIN 24H SERIES Middle East Trophy season and contribute to Qatar’s position as a destination for international sporting events. We look forward to delivering a well-organised experience for teams, drivers and partners this December.”

For all the latest news from the Michelin 24H SERIES Middle East Trophy and the Michelin 24H SERIES European Series, visit www.24hseries.com