JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA (22 January 2026) – The UIM E1 World Championship presented by PIF returns to Jeddah this weekend to launch its 2026 season, as the world’s only all-electric raceboat series begins its biggest and most exciting campaign yet on the Red Sea.
Serving as the season-opener for the third successive year, the E1 Jeddah GP 2026 will see a record 10 teams race the championship’s cutting-edge electric RaceBirds, underlining Jeddah’s status as a key venue on the E1 circuit since the championship’s formation in 2024.
Set against the striking Red Sea coastline at the Jeddah Corniche, the opening round signals the start of an eight-race global calendar spanning four continents, with Jeddah once again setting the benchmark for high-performance electric racing on water.
Among the teams on the grid is Team AlUla championed by LeBron James, who return to compete in their home race one year after their historic debut. Carrying local pride, the Saudi-backed team continue to play a central role in the championship’s long-term vision and global profile.
The expanded 2026 grid brings together an elite line-up of celebrity-backed teams and world-class competitors, including defending champions Team Brady, alongside Team Rafa, Team Westbrook, Aoki Racing Team, Team Drogba Global Africa, Team Blue Rising, Team Miami powered by Magnus, and newcomers Team Monaco and Sierra Racing Club.
E1’s return to Jeddah reflects Saudi Arabia’s long-term investment in electric racing, sustainable sport and innovation. In addition to providing high-octane, world-class racing, the championship acts as an active laboratory for electric propulsion and accelerating technologies that have the potential to influence marine transport far beyond the racecourse.
As part of E1’s wider impact programme, a partnership with Formula E will deliver the Driving Force Presented by PIF 360 in Jeddah this week. Open to students aged 8 to 18, the programme provides hands-on education focused on STEM subjects, sustainability, and the future of electric mobility. The initiative reached more than 60,000 students globally in 2025 and is aiming to inspire an additional 50,000 this year.
Presented by the Saudi Water Sports and Diving Federation (SWSDF), the E1 Jeddah GP continues to showcase Saudi Arabia’s commitment to sustainable water sports, marine protection, and responsible coastal development, while reinforcing Jeddah’s role as a global destination for innovation-led sport.
Prince Sultan bin Fahd bin Salman, Chairman of the Saudi Water Sports and Diving Federation, said: ‘Jeddah is ready to once again set the tone for the E1 World Championship as the 2026 season begins on the Red Sea. This event demonstrates Saudi Arabia’s active role in the future of electric racing, from competition on the water to sustainability, education, and innovation beyond it.
‘The Red Sea is one of the Kingdom’s most important natural assets, and through events like E1 we are demonstrating how world-class sport can coexist with environmental responsibility, inspire young people, and contribute to a lasting legacy for future generation.’
John Williams, Managing Director at E1, said: ‘We are always very excited to return to Jeddah. This place holds a special part in our hearts, as it is where E1 held its very first race in 2024. Returning for the third consecutive season and opening the championship here again is incredibly meaningful for us.
‘It is a beautiful part of the world, and we are extremely well supported by the Federation, the Ministry of Sport, and through our global partnership with PIF. Jeddah is a very important location for E1.’
Qualifying for the E1 Jeddah GP 2026 will take place on Friday, 23 January 2026 from 11.30 KSA, followed by the main race at 16:00 KSA / 14:00 CET on Saturday, 24 January.