HomePowerboatingE1 SeriesE1 sets course for a Bahamas showdown in 2026

E1 sets course for a Bahamas showdown in 2026

Electric racing builds global momentum

The E1 2026 season will take the world’s first all electric raceboat Championship across four continents, closing with a spectacular new finale in the Bahamas. The eight race calendar marks the biggest step yet for a series that continues to gather pace, fans and global visibility.

The UIM E1 World Championship presented by PIF opens in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Jeddah hosted a strong event last season, and the fast coastal course makes it an ideal stage setter for a year built on speed and competition.

Europe sets the tone

From there the Championship moves to Europe for three events that blend scenery, style and tight racing. Lake Como hosts the April round, offering one of the most striking backdrops in the sport. Dubrovnik follows in June, where the narrow coastal course demands accuracy and river like discipline from every team.

Monaco returns in July, bringing glamour and a new home crowd story. Team Monaco will line up for the first time in front of supporters who know fast boats as part of local life.

- Advertisement, article continues below -
Busfield Marine
Aquila 42 Catamaran- 2024
Aquila 42 Catamaran- 2024
NZD $1,695,000
2024 Aquila 42 Power Catamaran. Cutting-edge multihull combining exceptional stability, spacious living and fuel efficiency. Near-new condition, Auckland. NZD $1,695,000.
View Listing

Further details for the September round are still to be confirmed, though series organisers hint at another coastal venue with strong maritime heritage.

Africa and the Americas

E1 returns to Lagos in October after the 2025 event drew record crowds and one of the loudest atmospheres of the season. Lagos proved that electric racing can carry the same energy as any conventional marine sport when the community gets behind it.

The Championship then crosses the Atlantic for its North American leg. Miami hosts in November, giving the series its second United States event and reinforcing the sport’s rapid growth in that region.

A Caribbean finish

The E1 2026 season concludes in the Bahamas, marking the series’ first race in the Caribbean. It is a fitting destination. Clear water, ocean adventure and a strong marine culture align well with E1’s identity and its focus on sustainable boating technology.

- Advertisement, article continues below -

The RaceBirds continue to evolve with each year, delivering more efficiency, better lift and higher top speeds. Fans see the boats fly clear of the water in smooth conditions, yet settle into a composed, bow forward stance when the sea state rises. It is an electric craft built to demonstrate what the future of marine propulsion could look like.

Big names help lift the sport

Celebrity backed teams remain a major part of the Championship story. Owners include Tom Brady, LeBron James, Rafael Nadal, Will Smith and Steve Aoki. Their presence brings new fans, wider reach and more attention to electric marine technology.

Alejandro Agag, Founder and Chairman of Formula E, Extreme H and E1, says the 2026 calendar shows the sport’s rapid climb.

“We are building a global Championship that brings cutting edge electric innovation to iconic coastal cities and new markets. With strong support from our team owners, we are bringing the thrill of high speed racing on water to fans around the world.”

E1 CEO Rodi Basso adds that the series continues to show what competition can achieve.

“Our vision has always been to inspire change through performance. Each season proves that electric marine mobility is the future, and that sport can drive that change.”

A season that reflects E1’s purpose

The E1 2026 season reinforces what the Championship stands for: sustainable technology, fast racing, coastal communities and global reach. With broadcasts now stretching to more than 140 territories, the series is establishing its place as one of the most forward looking marine events on the international calendar.

Share this
Will Smith's team, Westbrook Racing, win at Lake Como for Round 2 of the 2026 E1 Series // E1 Series
E1 Series

Will Smith’s Westbrook Racing surges to Lake Como glory in 2026 E1 Series Round 2

Sara Price and Lucas Ordóñez repeated their 2024 victory on the lake to record W...
Read more
E1 returns to Lake Como for European leg opener // E1 Series
E1 Series

E1 returns to Lake Como for European leg opener

The UIM E1 World Championship heads to Italy this week, with the E1 Lake Como GP...
Read more
E1 Series

Kiwi foiler Micah Wilkinson and his crossover from Nacra to E1 GP

As the 2026 E1 Grand Prix season gets underway, Kiwi Olympian Micah Wilkinson re...
Read more

Comments

This conversation is moderated by Boating New Zealand. Subscribe to view comments and join the conversation. Choose your plan →

This conversation is moderated by Boating New Zealand.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Kirsten Thomas
Kirsten Thomas
Kirsten enjoys sailing and is a passionate writer based in coastal New Zealand. Combining her two passions, she crafts vivid narratives and insightful articles about sailing adventures, sharing her experiences and knowledge with fellow enthusiasts.

Recent articles