Formula E calendar set for shake-up: Fewer double-headers, more host cities

Formula E has expanded its calendar to 21 races at 13 venues for the upcoming Gen4 debut season. Nevertheless, there are plans for fewer double-headers in the future. Formula E co-founder Alberto Longo has explained why the championship instead wants to expand into more markets.

A large part of the calendar already consists of double-header events. While Formula E will stage 21 races in 2026/27, it will visit only 13 venues across eleven countries. Eight events are double-headers featuring a sprint race and an energy-saving race, while five events consist of a single race. China, with Sanya and Shanghai, and the United States, with Austin and Miami, each host two events. There is little room for further expansion by simply adding more races: the Sporting Regulations permit a maximum of 22 races per season.

Longo: Formula E wants to expand into more markets

Longo rejected a suggestion by Cupra Kiro driver Pepe Martí to stage two races in Mexico City. Speaking during the official press conference for the 2027 Mexico City E-Prix, the Formula E co-founder explained that a second race in Mexico would be difficult because the championship wants to become increasingly global and expand into additional markets.
According to Longo, Formula E has effectively become part of Mexico City's sporting DNA after ten years. The championship now wants to achieve the same in many other places in order to establish long-term success there.

Formula E calendar could accommodate up to 16 venues

Reducing the number of double-headers therefore provides the greatest opportunity to add further venues. Mathematically, three additional host locations could be added to the calendar: instead of the current 13, up to 16 events would be possible without increasing the number of races. The Sporting Regulations currently do not permit more than 16 events per season. Longo, however, did not announce that such an expansion to 16 venues is actually planned.

Mexico City is one of Formula E's most established events and is described by the championship itself as one of the most iconic races on its calendar. The fact that Longo is ruling out a second race even there while identifying expansion into new markets as a goal underlines the strategic direction: Formula E apparently intends to grow less through additional races and more through additional host cities in the future.