Motor racing’s FIA governing body has launched a request for proposals (RFP) seeking promoters and organizers for a future FIA-sanctioned top-line esports championship.
The deadline for submission is August 17, 2026, with candidates to submit their plans to esports@fia.com.
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For relevant information, those interested can contact FIA sporting manager for esports Erica Stranne at that same email address.
The selected promoter will support the FIA on the advancement of its esports strategy, including the formation of a financially sustainable commercial strategy and a media rights distribution strategy.
Other aspects that bidders will need to provide include an outline of the tournament format itself, the general geographical scope of the series, and prospective hosts for an in-person final.
The FIA credits the surging popularity of hobby simulation racing and the interest in its top-line Formula 1 as key drivers behind the desire to establish a new esports championship.
Speaking on the tender launch, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said: “Esports represents one of the most accessible and rapidly growing forms of competition, creating new pathways for people around the world to engage with motor sport.
“This call for proposals marks an important milestone in the development of the FIA’s Esports strategy as we identify opportunities that will support sustainable growth and attract new audiences and competitors.”
Niroshan Pereira, president of the FIA Esports Commission, added: “Through this initiative, we aim to establish a transparent and ambitious framework that will support the sustainable growth of competitive Esports under the FIA umbrella while fostering collaboration across the wider Esports ecosystem.”
The body claims that its 025 FIA MENA Esports Championship generated around 111 million views.
All of this comes amid a backdrop of organizational controversy at the FIA centered on Ben Sulayem, who has launched a bid to remove term limits from the role in a move that would further consolidate his power.
Currently, no FIA president can hold the role longer than 12 years, the equivalent of three consecutive four-year terms, but Ben Sulayem has put forward an amendment to eliminate that statute, effectively granting him, or any other future president, an indefinite tenure.
Ben Sulayem was re-elected unopposed in December 2025, having served as president since December 2021.
Since 2021, he has consolidated his power and, in 2025, ran unopposed in the presidential election after exploiting a loophole that limited competition.
Read more: FIA president Ben Sulayem bids to consolidate power with term limit removal
