Hotels for 24 Hours of Le Mans 2027

The most demanding motor race in the world: twenty-four hours flat out, three drivers to a car, on a circuit that runs along public roads for much of its length. Cars are lapped, repaired and sent back out, and the winner is often the one that broke least. Expect enormous crowds, a campsite culture entirely its own, and very little sleep for anybody.

First held in 1923, the 24 Hours of Le Mans is the world's oldest active endurance race and the most prestigious sports car event, run on the Circuit de la Sarthe, a 13.6km blend of permanent track and closed public roads near the city of Le Mans. Teams of three drivers share each car around the clock, and victory goes to whoever covers the greatest distance in 24 hours — a test of speed, reliability and strategy as much as outright pace.

The long Mulsanne straight, once flat-out for miles until chicanes were introduced in 1990, is part of the circuit's legend. Marques including Porsche, Audi, Ferrari and Toyota have written their histories here; Porsche holds the most outright wins, while Tom Kristensen's nine victories make him the most successful driver.

Forming one leg of motorsport's Triple Crown, it is the centrepiece of the FIA World Endurance Championship, and the 2027 edition marks the 95th running.