The Gran Turismo World Series returns in 2026 with a highly structured and competitive qualifier format, once again pushing drivers in Gran Turismo 7 to their limits. Taking place through Sport Mode, the GTWS qualifiers form the foundation of the official esports pathway, determining which drivers and manufacturers earn the right to compete on the world stage.
The Gran Turismo World Series 2026 qualifiers take place in Gran Turismo 7 through Sport Mode and are open to players aged 7 and over, or 6 and over in Japan, across all participating regions. The competition is split into two championships, the Nations Cup, covering five regions, and the Manufacturers Cup, covering three regions.
Participating Regions
The Nations Cup spans five regions. These are Europe, Middle East and Africa, North America, Central and South America, Asia, and Oceania. Examples include Croatia and the United Kingdom in Europe, the United States, Canada, and Mexico in North America, Brazil and Argentina in Central and South America, Japan and Korea in Asia, and Australia and New Zealand in Oceania.
The Manufacturers Cup is consolidated into three regions. These are Europe, Middle East and Africa, the Americas which combines North, Central, and South America, and Asia Oceania.
For the Nations Cup, regions are automatically assigned based on the country registered to your PlayStation Network account. There are no car origin restrictions.
Online Qualifiers Schedule
The Manufacturers Cup runs across six rounds on January 14, January 17, January 21, January 24, January 28, and January 31.
The Nations Cup also features six rounds, taking place on February 11, February 14, February 18, February 21, February 25, and February 28.
Dates are subject to change. In each round, only the last race you enter is counted. Points scale based on finishing position and the average Driver Rating of the lobby.
Individual Ranking Points System
Points are calculated automatically using your finishing position and the average Driver Rating of the lobby. Higher rated lobbies reward stronger point totals for top results.
Your final Individual Ranking Points total is based on your best five results out of the six rounds. If drivers are tied, the order is decided by total points, then highest single round score, then Driver Rating, then Sportsmanship Rating, and finally account age. Only the final race of each round counts, which prevents point farming through multiple entries.
League Assignment Process
League assignment and points calculation in the Gran Turismo World Series 2026 qualifiers are locked in as soon as you enter your first race. Players are placed into GT1 for A Plus Driver Rating, GT2 for B rated drivers, or GT3 for C rated drivers and below. This league assignment remains fixed for the entire season, regardless of any Driver Rating changes afterward.
Individual Ranking Points are determined by the final race you enter in each round. Points scale based on your finishing position and the average Driver Rating of the lobby. For the final standings, only your best five results out of the six rounds are counted.
Individual Points Calculation Mechanics
Points are calculated using a base value multiplied by a lobby strength factor. Lobby strength is determined by the average Driver Rating of all drivers in that race. Higher average Driver Rating results in a larger multiplier, especially for top finishing positions. While the exact formula is not publicly disclosed, a first place finish in a top GT1 lobby can earn roughly 400 to 500 points or more, with points dropping sharply further down the order.
Only the last race entered in each round is counted. Any earlier attempts in the same round are discarded. This points system is used for both individual rankings and for selecting the top scoring driver for each manufacturer.
Lobby Formation and Scaling Impact
Lobbies are formed dynamically based on Driver Rating and Sportsmanship Rating within each league. The average Driver Rating of the lobby directly affects point scaling. High level lobbies with very strong average ratings significantly boost rewards for podium finishes, but also heavily punish mistakes or poor results. Lower rated lobbies place a clear ceiling on point potential, which makes competing in higher Driver Rating lobbies essential for optimal scoring.
Manufacturers Cup Qualifiers Explained
For the Manufacturers Cup, players sign an in game contract with one of 27 manufacturers, including Toyota, Porsche, and Genesis.
In each round and region, the top scoring driver for a manufacturer determines that brand’s position for the round. Fixed points are awarded based on finishing order, from 40 points for first place down to 1 point for 25th, with 26th and 27th earning zero. If positions are tied, the points are averaged between the adjacent places.
Each manufacturer counts its best five results out of six rounds per region. These are combined into a global total. Official Partner manufacturers such as Toyota and Mazda qualify automatically, while the next nine highest scoring manufacturers advance.
Nations Cup Qualifiers Explained
In the Nations Cup, drivers represent their nation or territory and compete individually for the top GT1 positions within their region. For example, Europe is allocated four slots, with limits influenced by results from the previous year.
Top individual performances also contribute to overall country rankings. The highest placed GT1 drivers from each region advance to the World Series live events, beginning with Round 1, such as the event held in Abu Dhabi on March 28.
Advancement and World Series Points
A total of 12 Nations Cup drivers, including selected holdovers from 2025, and 12 Manufacturers Cup teams progress to the World Series live events. These events take place across Rounds 1 to 3, hosted in Abu Dhabi on March 28, Milan on May 23, and one location yet to be confirmed.
Points at these events are awarded from 6 points for first place down to 1 point for sixth. These points carry into the World Finals in Tokyo on December 5 and 6. Any ties are decided by finishing position in the Grand Final.
