2026 Programme
Shell Eco-marathon is evolving.
For four decades, Shell Eco-marathon has been the global stage for energy efficiency and innovation, bringing together the world’s best student teams in a battle of brains, bold ideas and breakthrough engineering. At its core lies a single, powerful question: “How can we go further with less?”
The 2026 season opens a new chapter that reflects the changing face of STEM and introduces a comprehensive competition experience. This year welcomes participants to our core competitions—the Mileage Challenges, the Off-Track Awards, and the Autonomous Driving Competition—in a refreshed format.
Teams participating in 2026 competitions will have the opportunity to qualify for the Global Championship, to be held for the first time in 2027.
Shell Eco-marathon’s On-Track Competitions challenge student teams to push the boundaries of energy efficiency and autonomous mobility. These competitions are designed to inspire fresh thinking, technical excellence, and real-world impact.
Mileage Challenge
In this longest-running format, teams drive a fixed number of laps around the track. After each valid run, energy efficiency is calculated and ranked. Awards are given to the highest-performing teams in each energy class and vehicle category.
Autonomous Driving Competition
Teams design, build, and test vehicles with autonomous driving capabilities. Now open to both Urban Concept and Prototype vehicles, this competition explores the future of mobility and automation.
Both competitions offer teams the opportunity to qualify* for the Shell Eco-marathon Global Championship, where the best of the best compete on a global stage.
*More details on the qualification process will be included in Shell Eco-marathon Official Rules Chapter II.
Shell Eco-marathon Qatar 2026
Mileage Challenge
January 21 to 25, 2026 | Lusail International Circuit, Doha
Shell Eco-marathon United States 2026
Mileage Challenge
April 7 to 11, 2026 | Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indiana
Shell Eco-marathon Poland 2026
Mileage Challenge | Autonomous Driving Competition
June 24 to 28, 2026 | Silesia Ring, Kamień Śląski
Shell Eco-marathon Brazil 2026
Mileage Challenge
Details to be announced soon
A cleaner energy future requires brilliant Changemakers:
Shell Eco-marathon aims to empower the next generation of energy leaders. The competition embodies the spirit of these Changemakers – their perseverance, collaboration, and innovation – and ties it to Shell’s purpose of helping achieve a cleaner energy future for all.