The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) has taken a decisive step in its digital expansion strategy by launching a public call to find promoters and organizers for future FIA-sanctioned Esports Championships.
The initiative reflects an increasingly clear reality: esports and racing simulation have become one of the most accessible and appealing ways to engage with motorsport. In a context where technology removes many of the economic and geographic barriers of traditional competition, the FIA aims to build a sustainable model that attracts new generations of drivers and fans.
The numbers back this up. The 2025 FIA MENA Esports Championship reached 111 million views, while more than 6,000 drivers from 159 countries have already registered for the first FIA Esports Global Rally Tour, whose grand final will be held live during the FIA Prize Giving Gala in Shanghai next December.
Economic forecasts are equally promising. The global esports market is projected to generate around $5.1 billion in revenue in 2026, a figure that highlights the enormous commercial potential of this sector.
What the FIA Is Looking For
Through this call for proposals, the FIA aims to find partners capable of developing competitive, innovative, and financially solid championships. Proposals should address aspects such as:
- The overall format of the competition.
- Venues and locations for in-person finals.
- The geographic scope of the championships.
- A commercial strategy that ensures long-term financial stability.
The goal is to build a structure that allows for the sustainable growth of virtual competitions under the FIA umbrella, while maintaining high standards of quality, integrity, and spectator experience.
Meanwhile, the President of the FIA Esports Commission, Niroshan Pereira, emphasized the importance of identifying experienced organizers capable of delivering championships that combine operational excellence, innovation, and the ability to generate engagement among fans.
Beyond virtual competition, the strategy points to something far more ambitious: creating new pathways into motorsport for thousands of people who otherwise would never have the chance to compete.
If the federation manages to bring the right partners on board and develop a sustainable model, the coming years could mark a turning point in the relationship between real and virtual competition. And judging by the current pace of growth, it seems clear that the line separating the two worlds will only continue to blur.
See you on the track!
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