Lemans
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1906
- HeadquartersLe Mans, France
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Lemans does
Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO), operating commercially as Lemans, is a French non-profit association founded in 1906 that owns and operates the Circuit de la Sarthe and produces the world's premier endurance motorsport events. Its core asset is the 24 Hours of Le Mans — held annually since 1923 — supplemented by a full ladder of endurance championships (FIA World Endurance Championship since 2012, European Le Mans Series, Asian Le Mans Series), motorcycle and truck 24H events, the Grand Prix de France Moto, and the Le Mans Classic heritage series, all anchored at the Le Mans campus in western France.
The organization operates a vertically integrated motorsport platform spanning circuit infrastructure, race promotion, championship commercialization (via jointly-controlled entities LMEM, ALMEM, and SRO GT partnerships), licensing of video games, on-site hospitality and retail (four boutiques, the Porsche Experience Center), a digital member services stack for 40,000+ club members, and the new M24 Motorsport Museum (8,600 m², opened May 2026). MissionH24, ACO's hydrogen-racing program, targets a 2028 competition debut and represents the organization's forward bet on alternative-energy motorsport regulation.
ACO is funded by a diversified event-economy model: paid spectator admissions (332,000+ attendees at the 24 Hours alone, 160,000 at Le Mans Classic Legend 2026), club memberships, corporate hospitality, championship promotion fees from manufacturers, title and tier sponsorships (Rolex, TotalEnergies, Michelin, Goodyear, DHL, CrowdStrike, Bosch, Motul, Kappa, MMA, Adecco, Google Cloud), museum ticketing, retail/merchandise, and licensed properties. The organization employs 248 permanent staff, is governed by President Pierre Fillon (since 2012), and reinvests surpluses into circuit, event, and museum infrastructure consistent with its loi de 1901 non-profit structure.
Lemans firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Lemans
- Legal name
- Automobile Club de l'Ouest
- Website
- https://lemans.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1906
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Lemans industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Motorsport Event Organization
- NAICS
- Racetracks (711212), Spectator Sports (71121)
- SIC
- Services-Racing, Including Track Operation (7948), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Motorsport Event Promoters & Race Organizers (MPAKADAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Motorsports Series & Championships (Sanctioned Racing Calendars) (MPAKAGAA), Race Tracks, Circuits & Motorsport Venues (MPAKAGAE), Motorsports Events (F1, NASCAR, Rally, Moto) (MPAGAMAD), Race Promoters & Event Organizers (Race Weekend Operations) (MPAKAGAC)
Keywords
Where Lemans is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Le Mans
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices5 records
Markets served
Lemans business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Event Ticket Sales: Revenue from selling tickets to major events including 24 Hours of Le Mans, 24 Hours Motos, 24 Hours Trucks, Le Mans Classic, and French Moto GP.
- Club Membership Subscriptions: Annual membership fees providing access to club facilities, preferential pricing on tickets and activities, and exclusive events.
- Corporate Hospitality: Premium hospitality packages for businesses including access to exclusive club facilities like La Chapelle and Georges Durand during events.
- Merchandise and Boutiques: Official merchandise sold through four boutiques in Le Mans, Tours, Rouen, and Paris, plus online store.
- Championship Promotion: Organizer and promoter of FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC) since 2012, European Le Mans Series, and Asian Le Mans Series.
- Leisure Activities: Revenue from driving school (Le Mans Driver), karting complex, circuit visits, and museum admissions.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Club ACO Membership - Georges Durand Facility access |
| Subscription | Annual | Club ACO Full Membership |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Museum Admission |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Lemans product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) creates, owns, and organizes the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race and a portfolio of motorsport events and championships, including the FIA World Endurance Championship, European Le Mans Series, Asian Le Mans Series, 24 Hours Motos, 24 Hours Camions, Le Mans Classic, and GP France Moto. Beyond racing, ACO operates a 40,000+ member automobile club with subscription benefits, four official retail boutiques, a driving school, karting complex, museum, and corporate hospitality and seminar services at the Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans.
Product overview
The Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) is a motorsport organization founded in 1906 that operates as both an event organizer and membership club. Its core portfolio centers on the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race and related championships including the FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC), European Le Mans Series (ELMS), and Asian Le Mans Series. Beyond racing events, ACO operates leisure and commercial facilities including the M24 Motorsport Museum, Le Mans Driver driving school, karting center, Porsche Experience Center, and official merchandise boutiques. The organization offers Club ACO membership program with over 40,000 members providing exclusive access to events, Club Facilities (La Chapelle and Georges Durand), and preferential pricing. Corporate services include official hospitality, seminars, and conferences. The ecosystem also includes Spirit of Le Mans Magazine as the official endurance racing publication.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Spirit of Le Mans Magazine: Official magazine of endurance racing worldwide, covering 24 Hours of Le Mans, FIA WEC, ELMS, Asian LMS, and IMSA events
Products and services
- 24 Heures du Mans The flagship 24-hour endurance race held at the Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans, considered one of the world's greatest sporting events and a laboratory for automotive technological innovation.
- 24 Heures Motos The 24-hour motorcycle endurance race held at the Circuit du Mans, organized by ACO.
- 24 Heures Camions The 24-hour truck endurance race event organized by ACO.
- Le Mans Classic Historic car racing event featuring classic endurance racing vehicles from various eras.
- GP France Moto The French round of the MotoGP championship held at the Le Mans circuit.
- FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC) International endurance racing championship organized and promoted by ACO since 2012, featuring races from 6 to 24 hours across multiple continents with Hypercar, LMGT3, and LMP2 categories.
- European Le Mans Series (ELMS) European endurance racing series established in 2004, featuring 4-hour races at iconic European circuits with automatic invitations to the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
- Asian Le Mans Series Asian endurance racing series created by ACO, featuring LMP2, LMP3, and GT3 classes with automatic invitations to the 24 Hours of Le Mans for champions.
- Karting des 24 Heures 24-hour karting endurance race and karting facilities at the Le Mans circuit, organized by ACO.
- M24 – Motorsport Museum Motorsport museum opened on 28 May 2026 with 8,600 m² of exhibition space featuring over 120 authentic racing vehicles spanning Formula 1, endurance, rally, IndyCar, and motorcycle racing history.
- Ecole de Pilotage (Le Mans Driver) Driving school offering pilot training and driving experiences at the Le Mans circuit.
- Visites du Circuit Guided tours of the 24 Hours of Le Mans circuit, including race control tower, podium, commentary box, and track vantage points.
- Club ACO Member club with over 40,000 passionate auto-moto members offering exclusive benefits including privileged access to ACO events, preferential ticket pricing, reductions on activities, and access to Club Facilities (Réceptifs Club La Chapelle and Georges Durand).
- Hospitalités Officielles Official hospitality services for corporate and professional clients attending ACO events, including access to premium club facilities.
- Séminaires & Congrès Seminar and conference organization services for corporate events at the Le Mans circuit.
- ACO Formation Training and professional development programs offered by ACO through its prevention training entity.
- Boutique Officielle Official merchandise store for ACO events and merchandise, with physical locations in Le Mans, Tours, Rouen, and Paris plus online store.
- Spirit of Le Mans Magazine Official magazine of endurance racing worldwide, published bimonthly covering the 24 Hours of Le Mans, FIA WEC, European Le Mans Series, Asian Le Mans Series, IMSA events, and historic meetings.
- Le Mans Classic Legend The first edition of a new historic endurance racing event featuring modern racing legends from 1970 to the present day, with grids 6-10 showcasing cars from various eras and support races including HSR NASCAR Classic by Goodyear, GT3 Revival Series, Porsche Classic Cup, and Berlinetta Challenge.
Quantifiable outcome
- 332,000+ spectators annually at 24 Hours of Le Mans
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Lemans
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Lemans technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Lemans partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered major partner, premium partner, official partner, infrastructure and core.
- Rolexmajor partnerMajor partner of 24 Hours of Le Mans, providing prestigious timekeeping services and brand association with motorsport excellence.
- TotalEnergiespremium partnerPremium partner providing energy solutions and official fuel supplier for FIA WEC events.
- Michelinpremium partnerPremium partner and official tire supplier for endurance racing championships.
- Goodyearpremium partnerPremium partner and official tire supplier for European Le Mans Series.
- DHLpremium partnerPremium partner providing logistics and freight services for motorsport events.
- CrowdStrikepremium partnerPremium partner providing cybersecurity services for motorsport operations.
- Boschpremium partnerPremium partner providing automotive technology and components.
- Motulpremium partnerPremium partner and official lubricant supplier for motorsport.
- Kappaofficial partnerOfficial partner providing apparel and team clothing.
- MMAofficial partnerOfficial partner providing insurance services.
- Adeccoofficial partnerOfficial partner providing staffing and recruitment services.
- Google CloudinfrastructureCloud hosting provider for the ACO's websites and digital infrastructure.
- FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile)coreSanctioning body partnership for FIA World Endurance Championship. ACO has organized and promoted the championship since 2012.
- SRO Motorsports GroupcoreJoint venture partner in Asian Le Mans Series alongside ACO and Asian Le Mans Endurance Management (ALMEM).
- Asian Le Mans Endurance Management (ALMEM)coreJoint venture partner in Asian Le Mans Series management and operations.
- Le Mans Endurance Management (LMEM)coreSubsidiary managing European Le Mans Series operations with CEO Frédéric Lequien.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Lemans competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- NASCAR: The largest stock-car racing sanctioning body in North America, owned by the France family and ISC. Operates a broader portfolio of oval-racing championships rather than endurance, but serves as a broad incumbent in the global motorsport series landscape alongside ACO.
Direct peers
- Silverstone Circuit (BRDC): British racing circuit and host of the British Grand Prix, operated by the British Racing Drivers' Club. Directly comparable to ACO as a venue operator hosting FIA-sanctioned events and running club membership programs.
- Dorna Sports: Commercial rights holder and promoter of MotoGP and the FIM Superbike World Championship. Directly comparable to ACO as a motorsport series promoter, and the organizer of the French MotoGP round held at ACO's Le Mans circuit.
- Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Penske Entertainment): Operator of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and promoter of the IndyCar Series under Penske Entertainment. Directly comparable to ACO as an iconic motorsport venue operator and major race series promoter.
- WRC Promoter: Promoter of the FIA World Rally Championship, another FIA-sanctioned global motorsport series. Comparable to ACO as a championship rights holder and event organizer dependent on manufacturer participation.
- IMSA: International Motor Sports Association, the North American sanctioning body for endurance racing (WeatherTech Championship) and ACO's regulatory partner in converging the Hypercar/LMDh platform across the Atlantic. Direct peer in organizing professional endurance motorsport.
- SRO Motorsports Group: Global promoter of GT3 and GT4 racing series (GT World Challenge, Intercontinental GT Challenge). ACO's joint venture partner in the Asian Le Mans Series, and a directly comparable GT and endurance racing promoter.
- Goodwood (Duke of Richmond): Organizer of the Goodwood Festival of Speed and Goodwood Revival, two of the world's most prestigious heritage motorsport events. Comparable to ACO in running premium heritage motorsport experiences, member club activities, and circuit-based experiences.
- Formula One Group: Operator and promoter of the FIA Formula One World Championship, the largest global open-wheel motorsport series. Closely comparable to ACO as a championship rights holder, event organizer, and global motorsport brand operator serving OEMs, broadcasters, and fans.
Others
- Fédération Française du Sport Automobile (FFSA): French national motorsport authority (ASN affiliated with FIA), issuing racing licences and sanctioning domestic championships. Adjacent rather than direct competitor — FFSA handles amateur/licensing while ACO focuses on professional endurance events and venue operation.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Lemans social profiles
Digital presenceLemans financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Lemans leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Lemans subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Lemans funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Lemans M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Lemans
What does Lemans do?
The Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) creates, owns, and organizes the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race and a portfolio of motorsport events and championships, including the FIA World Endurance Championship, European Le Mans Series, Asian Le Mans Series, 24 Hours Motos, 24 Hours Camions, Le Mans Classic, and GP France Moto. Beyond racing, ACO operates a 40,000+ member automobile club with subscription benefits, four official retail boutiques, a driving school, karting complex, museum, and corporate hospitality and seminar services at the Circuit des 24 Heures du Mans.
Is Lemans a public or private company?
Lemans is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Lemans founded?
Lemans was founded in 1906. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Lemans based?
Lemans is headquartered in Le Mans, France, in the Europe region.
How does Lemans make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Event Ticket Sales are the primary driver. The others are club Membership Subscriptions, corporate Hospitality, merchandise and Boutiques, championship Promotion and leisure Activities.
Who are Lemans's main competitors?
NASCAR is listed as a broad incumbent. Direct peers are Silverstone Circuit (BRDC), Dorna Sports, Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Penske Entertainment), WRC Promoter, IMSA, SRO Motorsports Group, Goodwood (Duke of Richmond) and Formula One Group. Fédération Française du Sport Automobile (FFSA) is listed as an others.
Does Lemans have an API?
No public API is recorded for Lemans.
What industry is Lemans in?
Lemans's product category is Motorsport Event Organization. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAKADAE, Motorsport Event Promoters & Race Organizers, with a secondary code of MPAKAGAA, Motorsports Series & Championships (Sanctioned Racing Calendars). Its NAICS code is 711212 and its SIC code is 7948.