This year’s Intercontinental GT Challenge at the Nürburgring 24h will see the largest starting grid in a decade and an extremely competitive field, with nine manufacturers competing in the top GT3 class. BMW M4 GT3 EVO, BMW M3 Touring 24H, BMW M4 GT4 EVO, BMW M2 Racing – the BMW M line-up for the 2026 Nürburgring 24-hour classic is top-class, and that’s not all. To mark the 53rd edition of the 24h Nürburgring, BMW M is offering a varied programme for the community. Hospitality and fan zones featuring exhibitions of classic BMW M racing cars, safety cars and drift cars from the Red Bull Driftbrothers for the ‘40 Years of BMW M3’ event with highlights from the series, the BMW M Corso or The Ultimate Sound Machine, the rolling DJ stage based on the BMW XM Label – rarely has the 24h Nürburgring guaranteed so much variety and excitement.
BMW M ON THE RING.
BMW M ON THE RING.
On one of the longest and most demanding race tracks in the world, the powerful engines will be roaring from day one. Following the RCN Rundstrecken Challenge, Germany’s oldest touring car series, the first qualifying session for the 24h Nürburgring gets underway on Thursday at 11.15 am UTC. BMW M Motorsport and several customer teams – including Schubert Motorsport and ROWE Racing – will compete, with numerous cars in various racing classes. In the top GT3 class, three BMW M4 GT3 EVO will compete to defend the 2025 title. As a special entry, the BMW M3 Touring 24H is set to cause a stir at the endurance classic. In addition, a number of BMW M4 GT4 EVO and BMW M2 Racing cars will also be on the grid; in total, over ten BMW racing cars are taking part. From Thursday to Friday, there will be a total of three qualifying sessions and three top qualifying runs to determine the starting grid. The lights go green on the 53rd edition of the 24h Nürburgring on Saturday, 16 May, at 1 pm UTC.
Before that, around midday, prior to the start of the grid formation for the 24-hour race, the BMW M Corso will once again take place on the Nordschleife. The BMW M line-up is impressive: alongside a BMW M3 E30 EVO and a BMW M3 E92, an exclusive premiere is also expected during the Corso. In addition, there is always a large number of classic, vintage and modern classic cars on display, with private owners and fan clubs rounding off the BMW M Corso.
Day | Start | End | What | Where |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Thursday | 13:15 | 15:15 | Qualifying 1 | Full Circuit |
Thursday | 20:00 | 23:30 | Qualifying 2 | Full Circuit |
Friday | 10:15 | 10:45 | Top Quali 1 | Full Circuit |
Friday | 11:05 | 11:35 | Top Quali 2 | Full Circuit |
Friday | 12:00 | 13:05 | Top Quali 3 | Full Circuit |
Friday | 13:35 | 14:35 | Top Quali 3 | Full Circuit |
Saturday | 10:00 | 11:00 | Warm-up | Full Circuit |
Saturday | 12:45 | 14:40 | Starting Grid | Start/Finish Straight |
Saturday | 13:10 | 14:10 | Open Grid | Start/Finish Straight |
Saturday | 14:40 | Formation Lap | Full Circuit | |
Saturday | 15:00 | Race Start | Full Circuit |
4 BMW M LOCATIONS.
With a total of four locations, BMW M offers the community around the Nürburgring a range of venues, from exhibitions and catering to a fan zone, hospitality area and viewing points along the track. All locations are easily accessible to visitors via a shuttle service.
BMW M POWER SHOWROOM.
BMW M POWER SHOWROOM.
The starting point – and a popular destination throughout the year – is the BMW M Power Showroom on the ring°boulevard. The showroom will be open to visitors during the race weekend, featuring the permanent exhibition of M models, a shop selling the BMW M Collection, and event spaces. Not far from there, on Friday evening at the Müllenbachschleife, the Red Bull Driftbrothers will be putting on a drift show with their BMW M2 Drift Competition cars, specially modified for maximum drift performance.
FAN ZONE AND HOSPITALITY.
FAN ZONE AND HOSPITALITY.
Also situated near the BMW M Power Showroom on the ring°boulevard is the paddock, featuring the BMW M fan zone with a large hospitality area. The fan zone is open from Thursday to Sunday, 10 am to 8 pm, and includes a BMW Motorrad stand and a BMW M fan shop truck. The definitive highlight is the “40 Years of BMW M” exhibition, featuring a wide range of BMW M3 vehicles from different model generations. The Ultimate Sound Machine, the mobile DJ stage based on a BMW XM Label, will provide the perfect musical backdrop.
STAND 14.
STAND 14.
Not far from the fan zone near Stand 14, guests of BMW M can discover another highlight. In collaboration with the Red Bull Driftbrothers, visitors can look forward to a Red Bull Driftbrothers hospitality area and an exciting vehicle exhibition featuring, among others, the BMW M2 Racing, the special edition BMW M3 E30 Drift, a BMW M4 Drift and a BMW M5 Safety Car.
GÖTZEHAUS.
GÖTZEHAUS.
Last but not least: the Götzehaus. Last but not least: the Götzehaus. This spectacular vantage point, situated directly on the Nordschleife at the Quiddelbacher Höhe/airstrip section of the track, offers visitors an unfiltered taste of the racing atmosphere. You can’t get much closer to the action than this. The only way to get even closer is to take a seat right by the fence in the comfortable deckchairs featuring BMW M branding – assuming you can stay in your chair with such an exciting programme on offer.
40 YEARS OF THE BMW M3 AT NÜRBURGRING.
In 2026, a legendary sports car – and one of the most successful racing cars – is celebrating its 40th anniversary: the BMW M3 has been a fan favourite since 1986 and, now in its sixth generation, continues to set the standard in its class. Throughout 2026, anniversary events are held worldwide to mark the occasion, such as the recent “40 Years of BMW M3 x Ultrace” event. It is only fitting that this icon should also be honoured at a legendary race such as the 24h Nürburgring, where the various generations of the BMW M3 have secured overall victory ten times over the years. BMW M3 models from various generations, including several prototypes, will therefore be on display at all BMW M event areas at the Nürburgring.
