iRacing and DTM have officially joined forces to create the all-new iRacing DTM Series for the 2026 season. Built to mirror Germany’s premier road racing championship, this eight-round series runs mid-week before each real-world race weekend, giving every sim racer on the service a chance to race the exact same tracks on Thursday night.
Ever since DTM switched over to international GT3 regulations back in 2021, the championship has delivered some of the tightest door-to-door racing in Europe. With deep manufacturer grids featuring Porsche 911 GT3 Rs, Mercedes-AMG GT3s, BMW M4 GT3s, and Lamborghini Huracáns, bringing the official series into iRacing makes absolute sense for drivers who love sprint racing.
Eight Real-World Rounds Across Europe 2026 Schedule
The schedule mirrors the real 2026 DTM calendar step for step. Action kicks off at the Red Bull Ring before heading to Zandvoort, Spa-Francorchamps, Brands Hatch, Oschersleben, the Nürburgring Grand-Prix circuit, and the Sachsenring, wrapping up with a high-stakes finale at Hockenheimring. Each event takes place days before the real cars fire up their engines.
Sprint Format With Real Pit Strategy 55-Minute Races
Rather than quick 20-minute rounds where qualifying decides the podium, every round features a 55-minute timed race that matches the real-world DTM race length. iRacing is capping the fuel tanks below full capacity, which means you cannot simply ride the bumper ahead and nurse tires to the end—you have to plan a clean pit stop and manage your fuel burn.
To make sure sim racers across every continent can participate without wrecking their sleep schedules, races kick off at 8:00 PM local time across four major time zones: AEDT, CET, US Eastern (ET), and US Pacific (PT). Find your local slot and get your practice laps logged early in the week.
Sharpen Your Racecraft for the Finale
Because the series is open to the entire iRacing community rather than locked behind an invite-only pro license, you will see splits for all skill ratings. Whether you are aiming for top split glory or looking for clean Thursday night racing against fellow drivers, grab your favorite GT3 car and see how your lap times stack up against the best in the paddock.
