Written by A week dominated by DTM — both virtual and real — plus a massive racing game launch on the horizon.
The biggest theme this week is accessibility. DTM Esports opens its doors to every RaceRoom driver. Forza Horizon 6 lands on Game Pass day one. And iRacing aligns its virtual DTM calendar with real-world race weekends. The message across the industry: lower the barriers, grow the base.
1. DTM Esports 2026: €75K, Ranked Splits, No Invites Required
The DTM Esports Championship returns to RaceRoom with a fundamental format change. For the first time, the competition uses RaceRoom’s native Ranked Multiplayer system with public splits — meaning any driver can build their rating and compete for a share of the €75,000 prize pool.
Five one-hour online rounds start May 30, leading to a live on-site finale later this year. KW Studios released the 2026 DTM Esports Pack with 6 GT3 cars and all championship tracks.
Why it matters: this is how esports should work. Open at the base, elite at the top. The Pre-Show Event already ran on May 2. If you want to be seeded well for Round 1, start grinding ranked sessions now.
2. Forza Horizon 6: Japan, May 19, 550+ Cars
Playground Games confirmed Forza Horizon 6 launches May 19 on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Game Pass. Premium Edition gets early access May 15. PS5 follows later this year.
The setting is a fictionalized Japan with Tokyo as the central city — five times larger than any previous Horizon hub. 550+ cars at launch, body kits for select vehicles, and the long-requested window livery painting.
Not a simulator, but it matters. Horizon is the gateway drug. A meaningful percentage of today’s simracers started here and graduated to iRacing, ACC, or rFactor 2 within a year.
3. iRacing Launches Official DTM Series Aligned With Real-World Calendar
iRacing and DTM announced a cooperation for an official iRacing DTM Series that runs in sync with the real 2026 season. Virtual races take place in the week leading up to each real-world event, creating a direct bridge between sim and reality.
This is a different beast from the DTM Esports championship in RaceRoom — iRacing brings its own infrastructure, iRating matchmaking, and a different car/track lineup. Two platforms, one brand, two approaches to competitive sim racing.
4. Assetto Corsa EVO Adds Black Falcon Porsche GT3 Cup
Kunos Simulazioni and 505 Games announced the BLACK FALCON Team FANATEC Porsche 911 GT3 Cup for Assetto Corsa EVO. The car joins the Early Access title’s growing roster as the platform continues its incremental content rollout.
Meanwhile, Assetto Corsa Rally received its Update 0.4 — a major physics and content overhaul including the 1993 Subaru Impreza 555 Group A. AC Rally continues to build quietly while the spotlight stays on EVO.
5. RaceRoom Teases Next Wave of GT3 Cars for June
Beyond the DTM Esports Pack, KW Studios confirmed a new batch of GT3 cars arriving in June. No specific car list yet, but the timing aligns with the DTM Esports season — expect cars that complement the championship roster.
Quick Hits
- Gran Turismo 7 V1.69: Free April update adds three new cars, three new races, and Power Pack features. Polyphony keeps the updates coming for the PS4/PS5 title.
- MotoGP 26 launched: Milestone’s official 2026 MotoGP game is out on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, Switch 2, and PC. First racing game on Nintendo Switch 2.
- iRacing Season 2 Week 7: Skip Barber Formula Series returns May 7 at Lime Rock Park. Draft Master Challenge runs hourly at Talladega and Daytona.
Watch Next Week
Forza Horizon 6 Premium Edition access opens May 15 — expect a content avalanche from creators. iRacing special events calendar is heating up toward summer. And with DTM Esports Round 1 on May 30, the ranked grind in RaceRoom is officially on. Start building your rating now or watch from the splits.
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