An updated calendar has been approved by World Motor Sport Council for the 2026 FIA Karting Arrive and Drive championships to further increase the accessibility of the format and offer more opportunities for young drivers to compete on the global stage.
Brazil has been confirmed as the host of the South American Arrive and Drive Championship which will take place as a single round at the Kartódromo Internacional de Imperatriz over 2-4 October, subject to circuit homologation. The championship will offer drivers across South America an incredible opportunity to compete on their home continent in a format that significantly reduces participation costs by up to two thirds.
The FIA has also announced the 2026 Arrive and Drive European Championship will now be held as a single round event at the Autodrom Słomczyn in Poland from 17-19 July. The decision to update the championship structure from three rounds to one was made following constructive consultation with competitors and FIA member clubs (ASNs) where it was agreed this structure to broaden the reach of the championship and reduce the commitment required to participate in Arrive and Drive this year.
The full cost of entry to the FIA Karting Arrive and Drive European Championship will therefore now be Euros which includes use of the kart, engine, slick tyres, fuel, trolley and paddock tent. Drivers who have already applied for the championship will be refunded the cost difference.
To further expand the accessibility of the Arrive and Drive format, the World Council also approved a proposal for competitors to pay their entry fee for the Asia Pacific Championship in three instalments. Whilst Arrive and Drive offers a more affordable route for young drivers to participate internationally, this increased flexibility reflects the unique three-round structure of the Asia-Pacific Championship. Entries will open on 1 April for the 2026 FIA Karting Arrive and Drive Asia-Pacific Championship.
Under the Arrive and Drive format championed by the FIA each competitor races using standardised karts and engines reducing competitor costs and maintaining focus on driver skill and ability. In 2026 continental championships in Europe, South America and Asia-Pacific will serve as qualifying championships for the FIA Karting Arrive and Drive World Cup which will build upon the successful inaugural edition held in Malaysia last year.
The winners of the Arrive and Drive World Cup will join the champions and winners of the other FIA Karting championships, trophies and cups at the 2026 FIA Karting Shootout which rewards the junior and senior winners with a transformational financial prize to turbocharge their early motor sport careers.
Akbar Ebrahim, FIA Karting Commission President, said:
“We launched Arrive and Drive last year to offer more drivers across the world the platform to begin their climb up the motor sport pyramid and this refreshed calendar will strengthen that pathway. Hosting the South American Arrive and Drive Championship in Brazil will certainly be one of the highlights of the 2026 season and a clear statement of how we’re making FIA Karting more globally accessible and inclusive.”
Entries for the 2026 FIA Karting Arrive and Drive European Championship reopen at 00:01 CET on Friday 27 March together with entries for FIA Karting Arrive and Drive Asia-Pacific Championship and all details can be found on fiakarting.com.
Entry information for the FIA Karting Arrive and Drive South American Championship will be released shortly.