Saudi Arabia wins first-ever 'Best Host Country' award from Formula E

Formula E has awarded Saudi Arabia the inaugural 'Best Host Country' prize, a new honor recognizing the Kingdom's outstanding organization of one of the world's leading electric car racing championships.

The award was presented for the first time in the championship's history during the 2025/2026 season finale gala in London last night, celebrating destinations that set a global benchmark in event organization, infrastructure development, and partnership building.

Saudi Arabia's win highlights its excellence in hosting the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship since first bringing the event to the Kingdom in 2018, and the advanced standards it has established for the series.

This achievement reflects the unwavering support for the sports sector from the Saudi leadership, led by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, as well as the backing of Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, Minister of Sports and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee. The continued efforts of the Ministry of Sports, the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation, Saudi Motorsport Company, and Sela Company have all contributed to this success.

On this occasion, Mansour bin Ali Al-Muqbil, Acting CEO of the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation, stated that receiving the 'Best Host Country' award from Formula E reflects the collective efforts that have enabled the Kingdom to host and organize the championship races, from their launch in Diriyah to their move to Jeddah. He said it demonstrates Saudi Arabia's commitment to hosting world-class motorsport events.

Al-Muqbil added that this achievement showcases the strength of national partnerships and expertise, and affirms ongoing efforts to enhance the Kingdom's global standing in motorsport. He noted that Saudi ambitions go beyond hosting international championships to building a sustainable motorsport ecosystem that inspires future generations, develops Saudi talent, and creates lasting opportunities across the sector.

Alberto Longo, co-founder and CEO of the Formula E World Championship, praised the ongoing support and long-term partnership with the Ministry of Sports, the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation, and Saudi Motorsport Company, noting that this collaboration has played a pivotal role in the championship's journey since 2018.

He emphasized that this cooperation has helped establish Formula E as a leading global motorsport championship and strengthened its presence among major international events hosted by the Kingdom. Longo expressed appreciation for the continued commitment, which aligns with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 and a shared vision for a sustainable future, adding that Saudi Arabia's receipt of the first 'Best Host Country' award is a well-deserved recognition.

The partnership between Saudi Arabia and Formula E has grown since 2018. After the race moved from Diriyah to Jeddah in 2025, the inaugural Jeddah E-Prix became the most-watched weekend in Formula E history, setting a record with 65 million cumulative viewers worldwide.

Jeddah also played a pioneering role in the championship's ongoing development, becoming the first venue to implement the innovative BOOST PIT feature in season eleven. This saw the introduction of a mandatory pit stop during the race for the first time, during the two rounds hosted by the Kingdom, before it was later adopted in all subsequent double-header rounds throughout the season.