Gran Turismo World Series Comes to Singapore This Saturday, With a Seat for Malaysia's Fastest Sim Racer
GT World Series Round 3 takes over Marina Bay Sands on 3 October, with Sugo making its GT debut and a regional race that includes a Malaysian qualifier.
Sim racing has its biggest Southeast Asian event so far this weekend, just a short trip from Malaysia. Round 3 of the Gran Turismo World Series 2026 is at the Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore, on Saturday, 3 October. It is the first time the official Gran Turismo championship has held a live event in Southeast Asia.
The timing also suits Malaysian racing fans. The event is part of Singapore's Grand Prix Season (2–11 October) and falls in the same week that Formula 1 returns to Sepang.
The schedule (Malaysia/Singapore time)
- 4pm: Singapore Regional Gran Turismo Cup exhibition race (shown at the venue only)
- 5pm: Manufacturers Cup, a 20-lap Gr.3 race at Lago Maggiore Full Course Reverse
- 8pm: Nations Cup, with a one-lap qualifier and a 15-lap sprint at Sportsland Sugo, then a 24-lap Grand Final at Circuit de Sainte-Croix B (reverse)
Sugo's first appearance in Gran Turismo
The Nations Cup is also the first time Japan's Sportsland Sugo has appeared in a Gran Turismo game. GTPlanet describes the circuit as "short but demanding". It is 3,586 metres long with 13 turns and close to 70 metres of elevation change.
The Nations Cup has the same 12 drivers as earlier rounds. Kylian Drumont leads on nine points, with Jose Serrano and Pol Urra on seven each. All 12 drivers in the Manufacturers Cup represent the Americas region, including Angel Inostroza (Porsche), Adriano Carrazza (Toyota), Daniel Solis (Subaru) and 20-year-old Nicolás Arriagada (Ferrari).
Singapore is the second-last round of the season. The finale is in Tokyo.
A regional race with a Malaysian slot
For local fans, the Singapore Regional Gran Turismo Cup is the part to watch. Players in Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand, South Korea, Malaysia and Indonesia could enter a Gran Turismo 7 time trial from 21 August to 4 September. They drove the BMW M Hybrid V8 '25 at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya (GP layout, no chicane).
According to the official rules, the 12-driver grid is made up of:
- Singapore: six drivers (four from the online time trial and two from an in-person qualifier at the Sony store at 313@Somerset)
- Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan, South Korea and Indonesia: the fastest driver from each
The qualifiers get return travel to Singapore, up to two nights' accommodation, meals and airport transfers. They will race on stage in front of a live crowd. Gran Turismo series producer Kazunori Yamauchi called the time trial "an opportunity for us to discover talented drivers from the region".
That matters because the top Gran Turismo World Series drivers have mostly come from outside Southeast Asia, as Malaysian site GamerMatters pointed out. A strong drive on a world-championship stage could help a racer from the region get noticed.
Going to watch
Tickets start at about S$38, or roughly RM117 before booking fees. Premium and Signature tiers are available. Signature tickets cover the 100 seats closest to the stage and include a meet-and-greet with the drivers. Discounts are available for under-18s, students and service members.
Key takeaways
- Gran Turismo World Series Round 3 is at Marina Bay Sands on Saturday, 3 October, the series' first live event in Southeast Asia.
- Sportsland Sugo makes its Gran Turismo debut in the Nations Cup, where Kylian Drumont leads the standings.
- Malaysia's fastest driver from the GT7 regional time trial gets a place in the 12-driver Singapore Regional Gran Turismo Cup.
- The Manufacturers Cup starts at 5pm and the Nations Cup at 8pm (Malaysian time).
FAQ
Is this the same weekend as F1 in Singapore? No. The Gran Turismo event is on 3 October, during Singapore's Grand Prix Season, a week before the Singapore F1 race.
How did Malaysians qualify for the regional race? Through an online Gran Turismo 7 time trial held from 21 August to 4 September. The fastest Malaysian driver earned a place on the grid.
How much are tickets? From about S$38, or roughly RM117 before fees.
Sources: GTPlanet, Gran Turismo (gran-turismo.com), GamerMatters