What is the European Le Mans Series (ELMS)?
Over the past decade, the European Le Mans Series (ELMS) has established itself as the championship of choice for elite teams and drivers worldwide who aim to secure a spot at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Featuring six intense, 4-hour races on some of Europe’s most challenging and technical circuits, the ELMS provides an ideal testing ground for teams aspiring to advance to the FIA World Endurance Championship and ultimately the 24 Hours of Le Mans, endurance racing’s pinnacle event.
The series boasts a competitive grid of 43 cars across four classes—LMP2, LMP2 Pro/Am, LMP3, and LMGT3—with the season’s top performers earning automatic invitations to Le Mans. This prestigious reward awaits the champions of LMP2, LMP2 Pro/Am, LMP3, and LMGT3, along with the LMP2 runner-up, providing these teams with an invaluable entry to the world’s premier endurance race.
If you are not familiar with the LMP classes, take a look here to learn more about them.
The ELMS attracts a diverse array of drivers, from seasoned veterans of top motorsport series like Formula One and the WEC to rising stars and ambitious gentlemen (bronze) drivers eager to compete against the best.
Why should you attend a race?
1. Two days of thrilling action
With the first day (Saturday, Friday in Portimão) being reserved for intense qualifying sessions, where each class has just 15 minutes to set the best time possible in a bid to get the pole position for the next day, when a 4h race, where strategy, skill, and endurance come together in a fierce battle, where you simply cannot take a moment to relax. Every second counts and every corner can decide a race.
But you don’t only get the ELMS action, usually there are also supporting series competing on the same day, bringing you competitions like Le Mans Cup, Porsche Carrera Cup, Ligier European Series and more to make a packed schedule of high-octane racing.
2. Iconic venues
The 2025 ELMS calendar includes some of Europe’s most legendary circuits, from the dramatic elevations of Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium to Italy’s historic Imola, along with the classic twists of Silverstone. Tracks that do not disappoint in any racing series and they surely fit great with the ELMS cars.
3. Up-close access
ELMS stands out for its fan-friendly approach. Ticket holders with grid and pit access get to see cars and teams up close, often with opportunities to watch the cars in the garage and even get driver autographs. The grid walk, held just before the race, allows fans to stand on the track itself and witness the final preparations—an experience usually reserved for top-tier ticket holders in other motorsport series.
4. Affordable ticket pricing
One of the best parts of attending an ELMS race is the value. Tickets are budget-friendly, making it one of the most accessible racing events for fans. For example, general admission at ELMS Portimão costs only €10, while a €15 ticket includes access to grid and pit walks, as mentioned above. There is hardly any series on such high level that is so affordable as the ELMS.
All of these elements make ELMS a must-attend series for any motorsport fan. So, the only question left is—at which event will we see you?
And if you’re still undecided, check out the ELMS YouTube channel to stream past races and experience the thrill. For more details on the upcoming season, visit the official website.
Check out some of our snapshots from Portimão 2024:
