On 26 April, the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), founding partner of the ‘FIA Certified Gran Turismo Championships’, has announced a collaboration with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to host the world's first-ever ‘Olympic Virtual Series Motor Sport Event.’

The Olympic Virtual Series is a cooperation between the IOC and five International Sports Federations and gaming publishers. The five official sports are baseball, cycling, rowing, sailing, and motor sport, the last of which will be held within ‘Gran Turismo Sport.’ Players from all around the world will now be able to put their driving skills to the test through this new motor sport.

The Olympic Virtual Series will start on 13th of May, until 23rd of June 2021. The Global Online Qualification will be held in the form of a time trial event, with the top 16 competitors qualifying for a place at the World Final.

The World Final will be broadcast on 23rd of June, Olympic Day that commemorate the birth of the modern Olympic Games on 23 June 1894. The goal is to promote participation in sport across the globe regardless of age, gender or athletic abilities. Be sure not to miss out on all the action held in the true spirit of motor sport!

Olympic Virtual Series Motor Sport Event Overview

Racing Schedule

Global Online Qualification: 13 - 23 May 2021
At the end of the Global Online Qualification, the following number of competitors will be selected from each region according to their ranking: Europe / Middle East / Africa (7), Asia (4), North America (2), Central & South America (2), Oceania (1).

World Final: Broadcast on 23 June 2021
The competitor with the most accumulated points after all three races will become the winner.

Entry Criteria

Owners of a PlayStation®4 or PlayStation®5 console and a copy of 'Gran Turismo Sport', with an account for PlayStation™Network created from one of the following countries/territories:

Argentina / Australia / Austria / Bahrain / Belgium / Brazil / Bulgaria / Canada / Chile / China / Chinese Taipei / Colombia / Costa Rica / Czech Republic / Denmark / Ecuador / El Salvador / Finland / France / Germany / Greece / Guatemala / Honduras / Hong Kong / Hungary / India (excluding State of Nagaland) / Indonesia / Ireland / Italy / Japan / Korea / Kuwait / Lebanon / Malaysia / Mexico / Netherlands / New Zealand / Nicaragua / Norway / Oman / Panama / Paraguay / Peru / Poland / Portugal / Qatar / Romania / Russia / Saudi Arabia / Singapore / Slovakia / South Africa / Spain / Sweden / Switzerland / Thailand / Turkey / Ukraine / United Arab Emirates (UAE) / UK / Uruguay / USA

(Must be aged 18 or over at the time of the event to participate at the World Final, except in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates where competitors must be aged 21 or over on the starting date of the event.)

FIA President, Jean Todt

I am delighted that the FIA is joining forces with the IOC for this highly prestigious and innovative sporting contest, and I would like to thank [IOC President] Thomas Bach for putting his faith in us. We share the same values and are proud of the diversity and inclusion offered Digital Motor Sport, which promotes mass participation by removing most of the traditional barriers to entry.

FIA Deputy President for Sport, Graham Stoker

The Olympic Virtual Series aligns perfectly with our strategy to foster the growth and development of the Digital Motor Sport and, in so doing, extend the appeal of our wonderful sport to fresh audiences. I look forward to following the competition closely as we continue to discover exciting new talent.

Gran Turismo Series Producer, Kazunori Yamauchi

We are honoured that Gran Turismo has been appointed as one of the publishers for the Olympic Virtual Series. This is a historic day not only for us at Gran Turismo, but seen from the history of motor sport as well. I'm very excited that the numerous Gran Turismo players all around the world will be able to share the Olympic Virtual Series experience.