Formula E to continue at London's ExCel Arena until the end of 2026

Written by Vyas Ponnuri

Formula E's famous ExCel Arena race will continue to remain on the calendar, until the end of the Gen3 era in season 12, with a new contract extension keeping the indoor-outdoor race on the calendar for one more year.

Formula E will continue to race in London for another year | Credit: Formula E

The multi-purpose ExCel Arena has emerged as a go-to venue for Formula E's British outing. Featuring an indoor-outdoor racetrack, the changeable conditions at the venue have often played host to exciting races. Most notably, two Formula E drivers' titles have been decided in the British capital city.

Jake Dennis took his maiden title in front of his home crowd in season 9, as Nick Cassidy's attempts to bring home his maiden Formula E title for Envision Racing evaporated, after a race-ending contact with teammate Sébastien Buemi put paid to his chances.

History repeated itself in season 10, as Cassidy's below-par first race left him chasing Pascal Wehrlein in the standings into the season finale. Despite starting on pole, late-race contact with Wehrlein's teammate António Félix da Costa meant another shot at a maiden Formula E title ended in tears for the Jaguar man.

Other famous moments of history have included Jake Hughes setting the highest speed achieved by a Formula E car indoors, clocking 218.71 km/h in a specially-modified Gen3 Formula E car called GENBETA.

London is also the scene of Indian outfit Mahindra Racing's last Formula E win, with Alex Lynn grabbing victory for the team in 2021.

London's tight and technical layout often tests drivers and their precision and focus | Credit: Formula E

The tight and technical nature of the circuit has often enticed drivers to go in for daring overtakes, and often proves as a test to the drivers' skill and focus. The opening section of the circuit often sees drivers go toe-to-toe into the narrower sections of the track, leading to contact between drivers on lap 1 or on safety car restarts.

Apart from its on track action, the ExCel Arena also draws plenty of businesses and entertainment events, marking an event where motorsport, sustainability and business all interact under one roof.

The event is also a sell-out, with over 50,000 fans flocking to the venue for 2024's Formula E weekend. Tickets for the 2025 event in July can be purchased here, starting at £ 21 for a single race, while a full weekend comes in at just over £ 110.

With Formula E's Gen3 cars comparatively quicker than their Gen2 counterparts that first raced around the venue in 2021, the ExCel Arena's spot on the calendar has been subject to plenty of debate. As Formula E continues shifting towards wider, permanent racetracks, it questions if Formula E's Gen3 cars have outgrown the limitations of the narrower and slower street venues.

The ExCel Arena has also seen off stiff competition from Silverstone to host the Formula E weekend, with the latter looking to host the electric racing series on the National Circuit, a shortened version of the Grand Prix circuit featuring Copse as the first corner.

Will the ExCel Arena crown a third different champion in 3 years? Only time will tell | Credit: Formula E

Despite widespread rumours of Formula E moving to the more permanent road course over the narrower indoor-outdoor ExCel Arena, the venue has managed to stave off any competition to host Formula E, atleast until the end of the Gen3 era in 2026.

“We’re pleased to extend our relationship with Excel London, which has been a perfect home for Formula E over the last few years," expressed Alberto Longo, Chief Executive Officer, Formula E.

"Its unique track conditions and event space offers fans and drivers the very best of our sport, bringing the best racing and entertainment together in a truly unique venue at the heart of the capital, while all delivered sustainably,” Longo said, speaking on the announcement.

Damian Norman, Director of Immersive Entertainment & Events at Excel London, added on to Longo's thoughts:

“Since our inaugural race in 2021, it’s been incredible for Excel to host such a sporting spectacle and to work with Formula E in creating the only indoor/outdoor circuit.

"It’s also been an honour for Excel and London to stage the championship’s season finale and for British fans to witness a world champion of motorsport crowned on UK soil."

"We’ve also developed a great collaboration with Formula E too, from setting the Guinness World Indoor Land Speed Record to ensuring the event is powered using 100% renewable energy, so we’re delighted to be continuing this into 2026,” Norman expressed.

With Formula E continuing at the ExCel Arena for the next season, fans will get to witness the final iteration of the Gen3 car take to the only indoor-outdoor circuit, before the series moves into its Gen4 era for 2027.