Gran Turismo has cancelled the opening round of the Gran Turismo World Series, which was set to take place in Abu Dhabi on March 28th.
The cancellation of the event, planned to take place at the Space42 Arena, comes as a result of recent instability in the Middle East.
In a brief announcement published on social media, the event organiser revealed that “the safety of everyone involved in our events remains our highest priority.” Following the cancellation, Gran Turismo said it will reveal further details on future plans “in due course.”
Fans who had already purchased tickets will receive full refunds, while participants in the online UAE Time Trial competition will receive more information on the next steps in the coming weeks.
Safety concerns in Abu Dhabi and the surrounding region arose after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28th. The strikes prompted retaliatory action from Iran, reportedly hitting several countries in the Middle East, including Abu Dhabi, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.
The Gran Turismo World Series is one of several events in the region that have been cancelled or postponed in recent weeks. On March 3rd, the FIA announced the postponement of the World Endurance Championship‘s opening round, originally planned to take place from March 26th to 28th in Qatar.
What’s Next for Gran Turismo Esports?
With round one of the World Series cancelled, the attention of the Gran Turismo scene turns to the second round scheduled to take place in Milan, Italy, on May 23rd. At the moment, the event organiser hasn’t announced the location and date of the third round.
This year’s World Series season concludes in Tokyo, Japan, from December 5th to 6th, where the winners of the Manufacturers Cup and Nations Cup will be crowned.
While the cancellation of the event is disappointing for fans and competitors, the safety of everyone in attendance is the top priority.
