Formula E’s Jeddah E-Prix has been pushed back by four months. The double-header, which was meant to open the 2026/27 season on 18 and 19 December, will now take place on 16 and 17 April 2027 after approval from the FIA World Motor Sport Council.
Why Has The Race Moved?
Formula E had earlier said the December opener depended on the geopolitical situation in the Middle East improving, with a decision due around pre-season testing in Madrid. Moving the race rather than cancelling it keeps Jeddah on the calendar, and Formula E has been racing in Saudi Arabia since Season 5.
Which Race Opens The Season Now?
Mexico City takes over. Season 13, the first with the GEN4 cars, will now begin on 16 January 2027 at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. The championship still has 21 races on its calendar, the most in its history, across 13 cities.
Sanya Has Moved Too
The knock-on effect is in China, where the Sanya E-Prix has been brought forward by two weeks to 3 April 2027. Reuters reported that the change also avoids a clash with the Chinese Formula 1 Grand Prix in Shanghai on 18 April, and that the championship will now run within seven months of 2027.
What Is The E-Prix Unleashed?
Jeddah is one of the venues that will use Formula E’s new double-header format. Instead of two traditional races, a weekend will have one standard E-Prix and a shorter race called the E-Prix Unleashed, which lets the GEN4 cars run at full performance. The Unleashed race is held on the first day, with the traditional E-Prix on the second.
What Should Fans Know?
The Jeddah Corniche Circuit, which also hosts the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, stays the venue. Formula E raced there for the first time in February 2025, using a shortened layout. If you had made plans around the December weekend, keep an eye on Formula E’s official channels for updates on tickets and travel.
Also Read: Come 2027, Jeddah Is Set To Host F1 Academy’s Season Opener In March; Here’s All You Need To Know
What Comes Next On The Calendar?
After Mexico City, the championship heads to Austin on 6 February, then Miami on 20 February and São Paulo on 13 March. Sanya follows on 3 April, with Jeddah two weeks later on 16 and 17 April. Monaco is scheduled for 1 and 2 May, and the season is due to finish with a night race in Tokyo.
Cover Image Courtesy: Jeddah E-Prix/Instagram
FAQs
What is the E-Prix Unleashed?
It is a shorter race introduced for the 2026/27 season at double-header weekends. It runs alongside a traditional E-Prix and lets the GEN4 cars perform at full capacity.
Why was the Jeddah E-Prix rescheduled?
Formula E announced the new date after approval from the FIA World Motor Sport Council. It had earlier said the December race depended on the geopolitical situation in the Middle East, and Reuters reported the move was due to conflict in the region.
