Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2026: What you need to know

The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix returns to Jeddah's Corniche Circuit for Round 6 of the 2026 F1 season, April 17-19. This is F1's fastest street circuit, with an average speed of 252 km/h, featuring 27 corners along the Red Sea coast. All sessions run under floodlights between 4:30pm and 9pm.

Race weekend schedule:

  • Friday, April 17: Practice 1 (4:30pm) | Practice 2 (8pm)
  • Saturday, April 18: Practice 3 (4:30pm) | Qualifying (8pm)
  • Sunday, April 19: Race (8pm start, 50 laps)

All times are Arabia Standard Time (GMT+3). Gates open at 1pm Friday/Saturday and 12pm Sunday.

Things to know before booking your Jeddah F1 tickets

  • Tickets are online-only: There are no ticket sales at the circuit. All tickets for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix must be booked in advance. Popular grandstands and all VIP options sell out months ahead, so last-minute plans usually mean limited views.
  • Grandstand and VIP tickets are Friday–Sunday only (no single-day options). Friday practice and Saturday qualifying are worth attending. General admission offers single-day tickets, but the 3-day pass is a better value if you’re attending more than one day.
  • Everyone goes through airport-style security. Plan to arrive earlier than you think, particularly on race day.
  • General admission is standing only. Good viewing spots fill up hours before the race on Sunday. You can move around, but once you leave a prime spot, it’s gone.
  • VIP tickets are about convenience, not just views: Premium Lounge and Paddock Club are best if you value shorter queues, air-conditioned spaces, and refreshments. Paddock Club also gives you access to the pit lane and grid.
  • All sessions run late afternoon to night, with earlier starts than previous editions. This affects arrival planning, especially for parking and security on Sunday.
  • Safety cars and red flags are common in Jeddah. Delays happen same day and your ticket stays valid. If the race is postponed to another day, tickets carry over. Full refunds apply only if the event is officially cancelled.
  • Free parking is included, assigned by grandstand. On race day, lots can fill hours before lights-out. Late arrivals may face long walks or rely on ride-hailing with surge pricing. Exiting after the race takes time.
  • Wheelchair-accessible seating and facilities are available in grandstands. General admission areas are not ideal for accessibility. Arrange assistance in advance to guarantee suitable access and parking.
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Which Saudi Arabian Grand Prix ticket Is best for you?

Ticket TypePriceBest forKey features

General admission

SAR 468

~$125

Budget-conscious fans comfortable with standing and arriving very early

3-day standing access, Turns 5-8 viewing areas, freedom to move around, access to fan zones

Central Grandstand A

SAR 900

~$240

First-time F1 visitors wanting guaranteed seats at exceptional value

3-day reserved seating, covered grandstand, TV screens, dual viewing (cars pass twice per lap), Turns 5 & 20 views

Central Grandstand B

SAR 900

~$240

Fans wanting maximum racing action per lap

3-day reserved seating, covered grandstand, TV screens, dual viewing, Turns 6-7-8 AND Turns 19-20

Main Grandstand B (Turn 1)

SAR 1,854

~$495

Racing purists focused on overtaking action and race starts

3-day reserved seating, covered grandstand, TV screens, Turn 1 overtaking zone, starting grid views, podium viewing

Main Grandstand A (Start/Finish)

SAR 2,592

~$691

First-time F1 attendees wanting the quintessential grand prix experience

3-day premium reserved seating• Covered grandstand, optimal TV screen sightlines, Pit lane opposite, race starts & finishes, podium celebrations, closest to main fan zone

Premium Lounge

SAR 11,780

~$3,140

Comfort-focused fans or corporate entertainment seeking all-inclusive luxury

3-day VIP lounge access, air-conditioned and unlimited gourmet buffet dining, premium open bar, express security entry (save 60 min), dedicated VIP parking, private restrooms, viewing deck access

F1 Paddock Club

SAR 28,000+

~$7,467+

Die-hard F1 fans or ultimate luxury seekers wanting behind-the-scenes access

3-day ultimate VIP access, full paddock access, Pit lane walks, Sunday grid walk, gourmet dining & champagne bar, personal concierge

  • Your first F1 race: Main Grandstand A → Complete experience in one location
  • Maximum racing action: Central Grandstand B → Twice-per-lap viewing
  • Best value: Central Grandstands A or B → 65% savings with intense racing
  • Overtaking drama: Main Grandstand B (Turn 1) → Primary battle zone
  • Ultimate comfort: Premium Lounge → All-inclusive with zero friction
  • Behind the scenes: Paddock Club → Exclusive access to F1's inner workings

Explore the Jeddah Corniche Circuit

Turn 1: The premier battleground

320 → 130 km/h in under 3 seconds

This is the circuit’s heaviest braking zone and the main overtaking point. Every race since 2021 has seen incidents here, especially at the start, where late braking and cold tyres turn Turn 1 into chaos. Positions are routinely won or lost in the opening lap and after safety car restarts.

Key features:

  • Race starts and first-lap drama
  • Wheel-to-wheel braking battles
  • Best for: Fans who want maximum action and race-defining moments
  • Best viewing: Main Grandstand B

Turns 2–4: The flow section

Acceleration up to 280 km/h

These medium-speed corners set the rhythm after Turn 1. Drivers focus on traction, balance, and positioning while preparing for the circuit’s most demanding section ahead. Mistakes here cost time through the entire lap.

Key features:

  • Smooth acceleration and car control
  • Drivers setting up overtakes rather than forcing them
  • Best for: Fans who enjoy watching drivers build laps, not just attack
  • Best viewing: Main Grandstand B & nearby GA areas

Turns 5–12 :High-speed technical gauntlet

250+ km/h through blind corners

Jeddah’s signature section. Eight flat-out corners with barriers just metres away and blind exits drivers can’t see until mid-corner.

Key features:

  • See cars twice per lap as the circuit doubles back
  • Cars flashing past from both directions
  • Best for: Fans who want to see pure skill and relentless speed
  • Best viewing: Central Grandstands A, B, C, D & GA

Turn 13: The banked hairpin

Slowest corner on the circuit: ~90 km/h

A tight, 180-degree banked hairpin that brutally interrupts the high-speed flow. Drivers who nail the entry can force overtakes; those who miss it lose momentum for the entire next section.

Key features:

  • Heavy braking and visible speed drop
  • Cars struggling for traction on exit
  • Best for: Fans who enjoy contrast of speed vs control
  • Best viewing: Turn 13 Grandstand & GA zones

Turns 14–20: The return leg

200+ km/h sustained pace

This parallel section mirrors Turns 5–12, creating the circuit’s unique dual-viewing effect from Central Grandstands. Turns 19–20 are strategically important: drivers push here to set up the final sector and pit strategy.

Key features:

  • Strategic positioning before the finish
  • High-speed consistency
  • Best for: Fans who want more track time in front of them
  • Best viewing: Central Grandstands (opposite side)

Turn 22: The forgotten overtaking spot

200 km/h → tight braking zone

Often ignored until it matters. In the closing laps, this becomes a surprise overtaking point, especially when drivers are desperate and tyre grip is fading. The long run after Turn 22 feeds slipstream battles into Turn 1.

Key features:

  • Late-race lunges
  • Risky inside moves
  • Best for: Fans who love late-race drama and surprise moves
  • Best viewing: Turn 22 Grandstands & GA

Turn 27 & Pit Straight: Theater of speed

Top speed: 322 km/h | 1.05 km main straight

DRS opens, engines scream, and cars hit maximum speed. Turn 27’s fast left-hander launches drivers onto the main straight, setting up the most important overtakes into Turn 1. This is also where races start and finish.

Key features:

  • DRS battles and slipstreams
  • Race starts and checkered flag
  • Best for: Fans who want raw speed and classic F1 visuals
  • Best viewing: Main Grandstands A & B

Pit Lane: Strategy command center

Sub-2-second pit stops

Twenty mechanics, four tyres, zero mistakes. One slow wheel nut can drop a driver 3–4 positions. Safety car calls here often decide the race.

Key features:

  • Live pit stops and team choreography
  • Strategy calls unfolding in real time
  • Best for: Fans fascinated by strategy and behind-the-scenes action
  • Best viewing: Main Grandstand A, Paddock Club (pit lane walks)

Quick tip before you choose:

  • Want overtakes and chaos? → Turn 1
  • Want non-stop speed and skill? → Central Grandstands
  • Want the full F1 spectacle? → Main Grandstand A
  • Want luxury + access? → Paddock Club

Plan your visit to the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

  • Friday, April 17: Gates open at 1pm, with the first practice lap from 4:30 to 5:30pm and the second from 8 to 9pm. Circuit closes at 9:30pm.
  • Saturday, April 18: Gates openat 1pm, free practice 3 from 4:30 to 5:30pm, and qualifying race at 8pm. Circuit closes at 9:30pm.
  • Sunday, April 19: Gates open at 12pm. The final race starts at 8pm. Podium ceremony will be around 9:45pm, with the circuit closing at 10:30pm.

All times are Arabia Standard Time (AST / GMT+3)

Note: Support series races happen throughout the weekend, check circuit screens and mobile app for specific times. Post-qualifying concert (Saturday night) and post-race concert (Sunday night) begin after the main sessions conclude.

Address: Circuit location: Jeddah Corniche Circuit, Corniche Road, North Jeddah | Find on maps

  • By car: From Jeddah city center: 12 km north on Corniche Road (20-30 min normally, 45-75 min on race day). From King Abdulaziz International Airport: 30 km (30-45 min normally, 60-90 min on race day).
  • Parking pass collection: Each grandstand ticket includes a free parking pass. Collect your pass at the Visitor Centre before the event.
  • By taxi: Uber and Careem operate throughout Jeddah. Costs between SAR 60-100 normally from city center, SAR 150-250 with race day surge pricing.
  • By shuttle bus: Official shuttles from major hotels (free with any race ticket). Service runs 3 hours before first session through 60 minutes post-race.
  • Gate 3: Central Grandstands access (Turns 5-8 area), Diamond Tower side
  • Gate 4 & Gate 5: Main Grandstands A & B access (main straight), Golden Tower area
  • Gate 6: Main Grandstand area and primary fan zone entry
  • VIP Entrance: Dedicated express entry for Premium Lounge and Paddock Club guests (separate security lines, 10 min wait vs 45+ min regular)
  • All entrances have airport-style security screening with metal detectors and bag checks. Budget extra time for this process. Around 30-45 min on Friday/Saturday, 45-60 min on Sunday.
  • Restrooms: Available across all grandstands and GA areas (VIP has private restrooms).
  • Food & drinks: Multiple food courts with international and Middle Eastern options.
    Meals and drinks are paid; VIP tickets include food & beverages. Cash and cards accepted, ATMs near main entrances..
  • Medical: First-aid stations and paramedics on-site during all sessions; emergency teams on standby.
  • Merchandise: Official F1 and team stores near main gates; exclusive race-weekend items available.
  • Fan Zones: Two fan zones with simulators, activations, and stages. Concerts run post-qualifying and post-race.
  • Accessibility: Accessible viewing platforms and restrooms in all grandstands, companion seating available, and smooth paved pathways throughout.
  • Bags: Small bags under 35 cm allowed; large bags and backpacks not permitted. All bags are screened—arrive early.
  • Cameras: Phones and compact cameras allowed. No detachable lenses, drones, or professional gear. Personal video recording only.
  • Weather: April temps 25–30°C daytime, 20–25°C evenings with sea breeze; rain is extremely rare.
  • What to wear: Breathable clothes, hat and sunglasses for afternoon, light jacket at night. Expect 3–5 km walking daily.
  • VIP dress code: Smart casual only (no shorts, tank tops, or flip-flops).
  • Noise: F1 cars reach 135+ dB, earplugs or headphones strongly recommended (sold on-site).
  • Prohibited items: Outside food/drinks (empty bottles OK), glass, cans, alcohol (except VIP), umbrellas, laser pointers, folding chairs.

Frequently asked questions about the Jeddah Grand Prix

April 17-19, 2026. Practice on Friday, qualifying on Saturday, race on Sunday at 8:00pm local time (AST / GMT+3).