Phoenix target 2027 Formula E date after 34-year F1 absence

The city of Phoenix is targeting to host Formula E in the opening months of 2027, to feature in the first season of Gen4. 

FE's new era of race car will be introduced at the end of 2026 for the start of Season 13, with Season 11 having concluded last weekend in London. 

Phoenix is looking for an FIA single-seater championship to return to the city, having not hosted F1 for 34 years. FE is known to be keen on holding multiple races in the United States, but has settled for just the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami for next season.

The championship's CEO, Jeff Dodds, has spent considerable time in Phoenix, meeting senior figures in both the city and the state of Arizona. Talks of a race in Phoenix first started in 2023, around the time of the first Portland E-Prix.

Following a week in the city, FE, the Phoenix City Council and the Greater Phoenix Economic Council discussed three potential circuits, with the series having preferred a track around Papago Park.

"We’re hopeful now [Formula E] will add us to their annual circuit in the first quarter of 2027," said Phoenix Host Committee member Brad Wright, as quoted by Arizona Daily Independent. 

Unfortunately, according to local reports, the city of Tempe has rejected the proposal for a race to take place around Papago Park, raising concerns of the cost. Phoenix is now looking at new options to bring FE to the city.

It has taken inspiration from Miami, who hosted the all-electric series for the first time earlier this year since 2015. 

"I can’t emphasise enough how hard they’ve worked to overcome obstacles and make this work,” Wright said. "Within the city of Phoenix, it’s really been a function of finding a location that lays out well for a race, has all the turns and runouts and things that make for an exciting race… 

"These races require a lot of additional space for staging. You’ve got to build the garages, the pits, the grandstands, there’s a big fan zone where this will activate.

"You think we’ve got a ton of area around Phoenix, but when you really drill that down to find a place that’s central, where it’s easy for people to get to, there aren’t a ton of options."

Formula E eager for Phoenix race

It is not only Phoenix pushing for the race to happen, FE is equally hoping to add the city to its calendar. 

As outlined by Dodds, he views the American city as an "amazing location" for the championship, with a 2027 debut race making "perfect" sense.

"I've been over to Phoenix many times," Dodds told RacingNews365 during an interview. "I've met the state of Arizona. I've met the city officials at Phoenix, and I've met a lot of the commercial partners there and a lot of people around it.

"I went to the Phoenix Open and saw how they did hospitality. I think Phoenix would be an amazing location for Formula E. The fifth biggest city in the US, one of the fastest economic growth cities.

"Very tech centric, great climate, vibrant, sports, culture, Phoenix Suns. So look, I think there's a load of good stuff coming out of Phoenix. They are very keen to do something.

"We're really interested in doing something. And if there's something going to happen, I think Season 13 will be a perfect time for it to hit the calendar."