After 15 years, side-by-side racing will be dropped from the World Off-Road Championship Series in 2026. WORCS announced the news on Wednesday, citing a decrease in driver turnout and sponsorship.

WORCS first introduced UTVs in 2011, where they were a staple alongside ATVs.

Series owner Randy Perry released the following explanation:

This decision comes after extensive analysis and reflection on recent seasons, and it is not one we made lightly. We recognize the passion and dedication of the SxS community and are truly grateful for the racers, teams, and fans who have supported the discipline over the years.

However, a combination of factors has led to this difficult decision:

• Declining Participation: Over the past few seasons, we have seen a consistent decline in racer turnout and engagement within the SXS classes. Despite efforts to adapt and re-engage the community, overall interest has not met the levels required to sustain a competitive and dynamic race environment.
• Sponsorship Decline: We have also seen a noticeable reduction in sponsorship interest and support tied specifically to the SXS classes. This has had a direct impact on our ability to maintain the level of production and quality that racers and fans expect from WORCS events.
• Rising Operational Costs: Hosting SXS events comes with significant costs related to course design, safety measures, track maintenance, insurance and staffing. As these expenses continue to grow, the diminishing racer turnout has made it increasingly difficult to justify the investment needed to run a high-quality program.
• Strategic Focus: After reviewing trends and data from previous seasons, we are shifting our focus toward disciplines that show continued growth and strong racer commitment. This strategic realignment will allow us to reinvest resources where they can have the most impact on the future of WORCS Racing.

We want to extend our deepest appreciation to the SXS racers who have been part of the WORCS family. We understand this news may be disappointing to our loyal SXS racers and supporters, and we want to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who has been part of building the SXS legacy within WORCS. Your passion, competitive spirit, and commitment to off-road racing have been an integral part of our series.

While we are stepping away from SXS racing for the 2026 season, WORCS Racing remains fully committed to the growth and success of our core disciplines. This decision allows us to refocus our resources and energy into areas showing strong momentum and racer interest.

Although WORCS will no longer sanction UTV racing, Championship Off-Road Racing hopes to keep the class alive in the Western U.S. by expanding its calendar to as many as eight rounds across more states in 2026. CORR is a UTV series that is not to be confused with the Midwest-based Championship Off-Road.

“We extend our gratitude to WORCS for their contributions to the SXS community over the years,” stated CORR series director Jason Ramsay. “Their decision highlights the very real challenges we all face in today’s racing landscape. Yet it only strengthens our resolve to deliver high‑quality events as we secure additional sponsor support and remain dedicated to providing an unmatched racer experience.”