Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit in Midrand will host South Africa’s first international 24 hour motor race from 8 to 10 January 2027 after endurance racing organiser Creventic moved its scheduled Dubai event to Gauteng. The organiser confirmed the change on 18 September 2026, citing uncertainty in the Gulf region and its effect on transport planning and logistics costs. The event, officially named Michelin 24H Kyalami, will bring the Michelin 24H Series to Africa for the first time and return international endurance competition to the circuit after its previous event in 2023.
The announcement confirms a new international motorsport event for Gauteng, with team registrations already open and preparations scheduled ahead of the January race.
It also clarifies that Kyalami is replacing Dubai as the venue for an existing event rather than being added as an extra round to the organiser’s winter programme.
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Why the Michelin 24H Series Is Moving From Dubai to Kyalami
Creventic confirmed that the Michelin 24H Dubai race, originally scheduled for 8 to 10 January 2027, will take place at Kyalami on the same dates.
The organiser attributed the decision to continuing uncertainty in the Gulf region, which has affected logistics costs and the ability to plan reliable transport arrangements.
Creventic said it reached the decision in consultation with the affected venues. The change also means that two previously announced races in Abu Dhabi, planned for December and January, have been postponed until the 2027 and 2028 racing campaign.
The move is a significant change for the championship. Dubai has been part of Creventic’s endurance racing programme for 20 years, and the organiser acknowledged the difficulty of relocating an established event.
The new venue gives the championship its first race on the African continent while retaining the original January race weekend.
Kyalami Confirms First International 24 Hour Race in South Africa
Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit chief executive Toby Venter confirmed the venue’s role in hosting the event.
Venter said Kyalami has an established history of endurance racing, including the Kyalami 9 Hour, but that the January event will be the first international 24 hour race hosted in South Africa.
The distinction is important. Kyalami has previously staged international endurance competitions, but the newly announced race will require teams to compete across a full 24 hour period.
The Michelin 24H Series is an international endurance racing championship for GT and touring cars.
Its events take place at circuits in several countries, with race durations varying across the calendar.
For 2027, the championship has also confirmed European events at Mugello, Spa Francorchamps, the Red Bull Ring, Paul Ricard and Barcelona. The Kyalami race is scheduled before that European programme begins in March.
What Happens During a 24 Hour Endurance Race?
A 24 hour race requires teams to keep their cars competing for an entire day, including overnight.
Multiple drivers share a car, taking turns behind the wheel while their teams manage fuel, tyres, maintenance and race strategy.
Unlike a shorter race, outright speed is only one part of the challenge. Mechanical reliability and the time spent in the pits can have a substantial effect on the final result.
Creventic’s registration information lists several eligible vehicle classes for its championship, including GT3, GTX, Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, GT4 and touring cars.
The registration form also allows teams to nominate up to five drivers, although the final entry list and participating drivers for Kyalami have not yet been announced.
The event will therefore offer a different format from the shorter circuit races familiar to many local motorsport spectators.
Its continuous running means the competitive order can change during the night as teams respond to mechanical issues, pit stops and changing track conditions.
Three Track Days Scheduled Before the Kyalami Race
The organiser has confirmed that competitors will have access to three CR Track Days before the event.
These are scheduled for 5, 6 and 7 January 2027, immediately ahead of the official race weekend.
The dates appear on the CR Track Days calendar, while Creventic’s announcement identifies the additional track time as part of the arrangements for teams competing at Kyalami.
Track days give participating teams an opportunity to become familiar with the circuit and prepare their cars before the competitive programme begins.
They are particularly relevant to international teams that may not have previously raced at Kyalami.
The organiser has not yet published a complete race weekend timetable detailing all practice sessions, qualifying sessions and spectator activities.
The confirmed dates currently cover the event weekend from Friday, 8 January, to Sunday, 10 January.
Team Registrations Open for Michelin 24H Kyalami
Creventic has opened registrations for teams intending to compete in the January event.
The championship’s official registration platform lists Michelin 24H Kyalami as a single event taking place from 8 to 10 January 2027.
Teams are required to provide information about their organisation, vehicle class, car and proposed driver lineup when registering.
The registration process confirms that preparations have moved beyond the initial venue announcement.
However, an open registration process does not establish how many teams will ultimately compete.
A confirmed entry list, participating manufacturers and the names of drivers will only be available once the organiser releases those details.
The same applies to attendance figures and any estimates of the event’s economic impact.
What This Means for Gauteng Residents
The announcement gives Gauteng a confirmed international motorsport event at Kyalami from 8 to 10 January 2027.
The circuit’s Midrand location places it between Johannesburg and Pretoria, making the race relevant to motorsport followers across the province.
The event will also bring international teams and personnel to the venue for the race and the three preceding track days.
However, Creventic has not released projected visitor numbers, local spending estimates or employment figures. It would therefore be premature to assign a specific economic value to the event.
Residents and businesses near Kyalami should also wait for official information about traffic management, parking and access arrangements before planning around the race weekend.
For spectators, the immediate details to note are the confirmed dates and venue. Further announcements will be needed to establish the full programme and attendance arrangements.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Michelin 24H Kyalami race?
The event is scheduled for 8 to 10 January 2027 at Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit in Midrand.
Why is the race moving from Dubai to South Africa?
Creventic cited uncertainty in the Gulf region and its effect on logistics costs and reliable transport planning. The Dubai event will move to Kyalami while retaining its original dates.
Is this the first 24 hour race at Kyalami?
Kyalami has previously hosted international endurance racing, including the Kyalami 9 Hour. Its chief executive has confirmed that the January event will be South Africa’s first international 24 hour race.
Which cars will compete at Kyalami?
The championship accepts several categories of GT and touring cars. Its registration platform lists GT3, GTX, Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, GT4 and touring car classes, but the final Kyalami entry list has not been released.
Are tickets available for the Kyalami race?
The championship’s official website provides a ticket section for the event. Spectators should use the organiser’s official event information to confirm available ticket options and conditions before purchasing.
Kyalami Race Preparations Begin Ahead of January 2027
Creventic’s announcement confirms that the Michelin 24H Series will make its African debut at Kyalami in January 2027, replacing the race originally scheduled for Dubai.
The organiser has opened team registrations and scheduled three track days ahead of the event, establishing the first stages of its preparations.
Further announcements concerning the entry list, detailed race timetable and spectator arrangements will determine what Gauteng residents can expect when international endurance racing returns to Midrand.
