Gran Turismo World Series 2026

The virtual Gran Turismo World Series 2026 esports racing tournament was held in Singapore on October 3, delivering exciting overtakes and nail-biting finishes. The event was part of the series that will conclude with the World Finals in Tokyo.

Photo: CNA Lifestyle

The third leg of the Gran Turismo World Series 2026 was held at Marina Bay Sands Theatre on October 3. The event featured 12 sim racers battling it out over multiple laps in the Gran Turismo 7 game.

The Gran Turismo World Series 2026 uses racing simulator rigs powered by Sony PlayStation PS5 Pros. The game, also known as GT7, is a realistic driving game that features the ability to model track surface temperatures, dynamic weather, wind vectoring, downforce, and fuel economy.

The Singapore leg featured three different races, starting with an exhibition race, the Singapore Regional Gran Turismo Cup, followed by the Manufacturers Cup, and then the highlight event, the Nations Cup. Singaporean Fadtris Isa took first place in the exhibition race.

The Manufacturers Cup featured a format where drivers used cars from different brands, such as Porsche and Ferrari, to compete. Drivers have to use all three types of tyre compounds, including soft, medium, and hard.

The World Finals will be held in Tokyo, with tickets going on sale on October 14. The event will feature the top 12 Nations Cup drivers, along with 12 Manufacturer teams and 36 drivers selected from around the world.

The Gran Turismo World Series was launched in 2018 as the Motorsport of the Future, an official competition created to find the world’s best Gran Turismo driver. The series has two formats: the Nations Cup, where top-ranked drivers represent their countries, and the Manufacturers Cup, where drivers race under automotive brand banners.

Polyphony Digital is giving away two exclusive deep-black Stealth Model race cars to viewers who watch the stream through GT7. The cars cannot be purchased anywhere in the game, and rewards will be distributed on October 20.

Key facts

  • The Gran Turismo World Series 2026 was held in Singapore on October 3
  • The event featured 12 sim racers battling it out over multiple laps in the Gran Turismo 7 game
  • The World Finals will be held in Tokyo, with tickets going on sale on October 14
  • The series has two formats: the Nations Cup and the Manufacturers Cup

Three perspectives

Neutral

The Gran Turismo World Series 2026 has provided an exciting experience for fans, with the Singapore leg delivering thrilling races. The series will conclude with the World Finals in Tokyo, where the top drivers will compete for the championship. Fans can watch the stream and participate in the Viewers Gift campaign to receive exclusive rewards.

Positive

The Gran Turismo World Series 2026 has been a success, with the Singapore leg showcasing the skills of top sim racers. The event has provided a platform for drivers to compete and raise their profiles in the sim racing world. The series has also given fans the opportunity to engage with the game and receive exclusive rewards.

Negative

The Gran Turismo World Series 2026 has been criticized for not having a massive prize pool, with participants only receiving a trophy and travel expenses. The series has also been limited to a select group of drivers, with only 12 sim racers participating in the Singapore leg. The event has been seen as more of a promotional tool for the game rather than a serious esports competition.

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