This weekend, Milan becomes the center of the racing world: at Teatro Lirico Giorgio Gaber, near the Duomo, the Gran Turismo World Series 2026 kicks off. This is the first-ever appearance of the World Series in Italy, and fans around the world will be able to watch the event live in Gran Turismo 7, on Gran Turismo Live, YouTube, and Twitch.

The first stage immediately throws up a few strong storylines. Former world champion Valerio Gallo arrives at his home stage with high expectations, given the support from the public. He will face the current Nations Cup champion José Serrano — a Spaniard who set the pace in 2025 and enters the new season as the main benchmark for his rivals.

Takuma Mizono from Japan also arrives in Milan — right after competing in the famous Nürburgring 24H race. He will try to quickly transition from the real cockpit to the SIM rig and once again fight for the title he won in 2020 and 2024. Among other names are Paul Urra from Spain and 18-year-old Samuel Moreno, for whom this will be his debut in the Gran Turismo World Series.

This season will feature two formats running in parallel: the Nations Cup, where national pride and rivalry between countries take center stage, and the Manufacturers Cup — a battle of brands, where the heritage and reputation of automotive companies are at stake. In 2026, Serrano will again try to defend the title as part of Team Porsche, Team Mazda will seek revenge after a very close finish last year, and Team Subaru will add British driver Callum Moxon to their lineup.

All of this goes beyond the broadcast itself. Those watching the streams inside Gran Turismo 7 will be able to receive exclusive racing cars, the Stealth Model. Additionally, at Autodromo Nazionale Monza, fans will be able to guess the winners and participate in the Lap Time Challenge — content where players essentially connect to the event alongside the best drivers in the world.

The Manufacturers Cup starts at 15:00 UTC, while the Nations Cup begins at 17:30 UTC.