The 2026 season of the UIM E1 World Championship presented by PIF - the world’s first and only all-electric raceboat series - is set to return to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, as Champions Team Brady look to defend their title amid increasingly strong competition.
Set against the stunning Red Sea coastline, the season-opening E1 Jeddah GP 2026 will see a record ten teams racing the spectacular E1 RaceBirds as part of the elite global competition on water that is set to cover four continents.
Defending 2024 and 2025 Champions of the Water titles for Team Brady mean that while they are the team to beat, the E1 competition is fiercer than ever.
Team Monaco and Sierra Racing Club join the fray for 2026 with a mix of new and established racers.
Team Rafa, who finished just eleven points behind Team Brady last season in a battle that went down to the final laps of the Championship, is likely to be one of the strongest title contenders, starting the season with renewed determination and aiming to make a statement from the first lap.
Team AlUla Championed by LeBron James return to race on home waters a year on from their E1 debut, carrying local pride and looking to build on their momentum.
The world-class field competes across a range of high-profile, celebrity-backed teams including Will Smith’s Team Westbrook, DJ Steve Aoki’s Team Aoki, Team Drogba led by football legend Didier Drogba and his partner Gabrielle Lemaire and Team Miami featuring Grammy-award winning music artist Marc Anthony.
Fans can get close to the action on qualifying and race day. The on-water action can be viewed from the E1 Fan Zone which will allow visitors to see the E1 RaceBirds up close and will also feature a gaming arena that includes a simulator and virtual reality experience plus a VOX cinema screening Zootopia 2. There will also be merchandise stalls and food and beverage offerings to make it a great day out for all the family. Limited numbers of tickets are available to buy for each day now here.
Beyond racing, E1’s return to Saudi Arabia reflects the Kingdom’s growing role in the future of electric sport and continues to support broader conversations around ocean protection, innovation and the future of sustainable mobility. The Championship acts as a living laboratory for electric propulsion systems, helping accelerate technologies that can influence marine transport far beyond the racecourse.
As part of its partnership with E1, Formula E’s Driving Force Presented by PIF 360 is hosting its groundbreaking educational programme in Jeddah this week, inspiring students aged between eight and 18 to explore science, technology, education and maths (STEM) and sustainability while shaping the future of mobility.
In 2025 alone, the initiative reached over 60,000 students, and this year aims to inspire an additional 50,000 – taking the programme to over 100,000 young minds worldwide and bringing the thrill of electric racing straight into classrooms.
On the water, PIF’s commitment to excellence is celebrated through the PIF Pilot of the Day, awarded after finals day to celebrate standout skill and track performance throughout the weekend.
Alejandro Agag, founder and Chairman of E1, said: “Starting our 2026 season in Jeddah is a powerful statement for E1. The region represents ambition, innovation and a clear vision for the future, and the Red Sea provides the perfect environment as our largest grid yet of 10 teams begin their battle to be crowned 2026 Champions of the Water.”
As the first round of the 2026 calendar, Jeddah promises high-intensity racing, renewed rivalries and a glimpse into the future of performance on water.