The 2016 World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) calendar has been ratified at the FIA World Motorsport Council meeting in Paris today, with only one change of venue from the 2015 season.
The season is set to open at the as yet unconfirmed Sochi Autodrom in Russia, with the venue replacing the Moscow Raceway which has hosted the Race of Russia for the past three seasons.
The calendar will then move to Europe for three events, with the Slovakiaring and Hungaroring events once again taking place a week apart in mid-April.
2015’s season opening round in Argentina has been moved back to early August, with the event taking place in Winter at the Termas de Río Hondo circuit.
The season will once again conclude with a pair of night races at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar, with the races provisionally pencilled in for a Sunday in 2016, compared to a Friday this year.
“The intention is for the calendar to have 12 events but the agreement with the potential new venue is not there yet,” explained Head of Eurosport Events François Ribeiro. “Providing all elements of the deal fall into place we hope to announce the final calendar with 12 weekends prior to the Christmas break.
“Otherwise, we have kept the same venues in a number of key markets that provide the challenge and prestige we crave, plus the variety.”
| Round | Country | Circuit | Date |
| 1, 2 |  |
Sochi Autodrom | 18 – 20 March |
| 3, 4 |  |
Circuit Paul Ricard | 1 – 3 April |
| 5, 6 |  |
Slovakiaring | 15 – 17 April |
| 7, 8 |  |
Hungaroring | 22 – 24 April |
| 9, 10 |  |
Marrakech | 6 – 8 May |
| 11, 12 |  |
Nürburgring Nordschleife | 27 – 29 May |
| 13, 14 |  |
Vila Real | 10 – 12 June |
| 15, 16 |  |
Termas de Río Hondo | 5 – 7 August |
| 17, 18 |  |
Motegi | 2 – 4 September |
| 19, 20 |  |
Shanghai | 23 – 25 September |
| 21, 22 |  |
Buriram | 4 – 6 November |
| 23, 24 |  |
Losail International Circuit | 23 – 25 November |