Racers, start your engines.
A new online event has been announced for Mario Kart World. Set to get underway on February 21, 2026 at 15:00 UTC, the European February Circuit is said to run for three hours, with players free to race as much or as little as they desire. For the full details on the event, we have them here
What is the European February Circuit?:
Starting at 15:00 (UK time) on Saturday, February 21st and running until 18:00 (UK time), Mario Kart World players across Europe can take part in this online event.
The European February Fast Lane takes place under the following conditions:
When the event begins, each player will start with a versus rating of 3,000. Depending on your position at the end of each race, your ranking will then go up or down. Keep placing as high as possible to drive up your ranking and stay ahead of the competition.
You can race as much or as little as you like within the three-hour time period. Once the time is up, that’s it – the event will be over and your rating total will be locked in!
How to participate:
To take part in the European February Fast Lane, you’ll need to have Mario Kart World (updated to the latest version via a free software update), a Nintendo Switch 2 console connected to the internet, and any active Nintendo Switch Online membership (including a 7-day free trial). Then just follow these instructions:
- From the game’s main menu, choose Online Play
- Press the – Button to select Search for an event
- Enter the following four-digit Event ID: 4019
- Once confirmed, you’ll see the event details and can join the fun!
If you complete the above before the event begins, you’ll be able to practise under the same rules. Use the time to hone your skills before the real thing starts!
What happens after the event?:
Roughly one week after the event, a leaderboard will be published on this website listing the 100 highest-rated players. Make it into that list and you’ll enjoy some serious bragging rights!
Don’t think you’ve got the skills to hit the top 100, but still want a place in the spotlight? Then maybe you can be the best Toad, Waluigi or even Cow! The highest ranked player for each character will appear in a special leaderboard, so pick your favourite and do your best!
Head for the starting line and good luck, everyone!
The Contest is open to residents of the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Participation in this Contest is free of charge. Participation and chances of winning are not dependent on the purchase of any of Nintendo’s products. Full terms and conditions for the event can be found here.
About Mario Kart World:
Ready your wheels for a brand-new Mario Kart game exclusively for the Nintendo Switch™ 2 system—with a world of interconnected courses to race through — The whole world is your racetrack in this massive evolution of the Mario Kart™ series! The courses you race on are all connected in a seamless world. Drive the paths between them to traverse mountains, forests, cities, and more. Take in the sprawling vistas as you explore at your own pace in Free Roam—or watch how a sudden shift in the weather can mix up a dead heat in a tense Grand Prix.
Ride on rails, jump off walls, skim across water, and more as you race for the finish line. Master these new maneuvers and you might cut down your time to the finish line!
Take on a classic Grand Prix, or go the distance in the Knockout Tour elimination mode — Speed through one course and then drive to the next in a non-stop rally that stretches from one corner of the world to another in the adrenaline-packed Knockout Tour! In this fierce 24-driver mode, racers are steadily eliminated, checkpoint by checkpoint, until only one remains. With Grand Prix and VS Races also supporting up to 24 drivers, the competition has never been tighter!
Race online* across modes with up to 23 other players, or talk with friends using GameChat as you race or roam. Through CameraPlay, you can even see your friends’ faces next to their vehicles as you zoom past them, whether you’re online or on the same couch. Hop into a match of Balloon Battle or Coin Runners for even more mayhem, or get focused and strive for your personal best in Time Trials. There’s something for every kind of racer!
Go full speed with series-new drivers, vehicles, courses, outfits, items, and more! — Race on brand-new courses, as well as familiar ones that have been reimagined with additional routes and other details. Stick with your favorite driver or broaden your horizons—there are loads of drivers, many with different outfits to unlock, and plenty of vehicles to master too. Some of the new additions might surprise you! (Is that Cow?!)
Source: Nintendo
