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Experience
F1 in the Middle East means four of the most glamorous Grand Prix weekends on the calendar, raced under floodlights in Bahrain, Jeddah, Lusail and Abu Dhabi. This guide covers each circuit, the best Formula 1 hospitality, and where to stay so the race fits into a proper luxury vacation.
Updated
At a glance
Why the region owns
Few places stage motor racing the way the Gulf does. The circuits were built from scratch with hospitality in mind, the races run after sunset when the air cools, and the cities around them are full of five-star hotels, marinas and restaurants. For an American fan, an F1 weekend here is a chance to combine a race with a beach, a desert evening and some of the best hotels in the world.
The season now opens and closes in the region. In 2027 Bahrain starts the year in March, followed a week later by Jeddah, and the championship ends with back-to-back weekends in Qatar and Abu Dhabi in December. The 2026 season closes the same way, with Lusail in late November and the Abu Dhabi finale in early December. Dates can move, so confirm with the official Formula 1 site before you book flights.
Plan around the race with our Yas Island guide, the Doha city guide and the events calendar.
| Race | Circuit | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bahrain Grand Prix | Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir | Not held in 2026 | March 12–14 (sprint weekend) |
| Saudi Arabian Grand Prix | Jeddah Corniche Circuit | Not held in 2026 | March 19–21 |
| Qatar Grand Prix | Lusail International Circuit | November 27–29 | December 3–5 (sprint weekend) |
| Abu Dhabi Grand Prix | Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island | December 4–6 (season finale) | December 10–12 (sprint weekend, season finale) |
Circuits and the motorsport
The season finale is the region's grandest motorsport party, with yachts moored along the marina and concerts after the racing. The track runs straight through the W Abu Dhabi hotel, whose rooms look down on the cars.
Official site ↗A fast, flowing track north of Doha with some of the most comfortable grandstands in the sport. Pair it with the hotels of Lusail City and the Pearl.
Official site ↗The home of Formula 1 in the Middle East since 2004, set in the desert at Sakhir. Its night race and the paddock's relaxed feel make it a favorite with drivers and returning fans.
Official site ↗One of the fastest street circuits ever built, running along the Red Sea shore. The plan is for the race to move in time to a purpose-built track at Qiddiya near Riyadh.
Official site ↗A new circuit under development at Qiddiya, designed to host Formula 1 in the future with dramatic elevation and a cliff-top start. Read more on our Qiddiya project page.
The world's toughest off-road race has made Saudi Arabia its home. The 2027 edition is scheduled for January 1–15, starting and finishing at King Abdullah Economic City, with a route looping across the Kingdom's deserts.
Official site ↗The UAE's established circuit hosts endurance racing, driving schools and track days, a good option for anyone who wants to drive rather than watch.
Official site ↗A modern motorsport park with an international-standard circuit, drag strip and karting, used for regional championships and private track days.
Outside race weekends you can drive the Formula 1 track in a single-seater or supercar, or take a passenger lap with a professional. Sessions run most of the year.
Official site ↗The Ferrari-themed indoor park beside the circuit, home to Formula Rossa, one of the world's fastest roller coasters. A natural add-on to a race weekend; see our theme parks guide.
Official site ↗Paddock Club and beyond
The finest way to watch is the official Formula 1 Paddock Club, sold through F1 Experiences, which adds pit lane walks, garage tours and the best views of the start. Abu Dhabi also offers yacht berths and marina terraces, and several circuit hotels sell race-view suites that go on sale almost a year ahead. Expect hospitality packages from approximately US$5,000 per person for the weekend, and well above that for suites and yachts.
For a private paddock visit or driver meet-and-greet, see our page on private access and VIP experiences.
The only hotel built over a Formula 1 track, with rooms and rooftop terraces above the circuit. Books out early for the finale.
Official site ↗A palace hotel on its own beach, about 30 minutes from Yas, for guests who want grandeur away from the crowds.
Official site ↗A beachfront resort close to the Lusail circuit, with large rooms and a quiet marina setting.
Official site ↗Bahrain's leading hotel, on its own island in Manama, about 40 minutes from Sakhir.
Official site ↗A palace-style hotel on the Corniche, close to the street circuit.
Official site ↗Circuits draw investment. Yas Island and Lusail both grew whole neighborhoods of waterfront homes around their tracks, and Qiddiya is following the same path. If a race weekend sparks interest, start with Abu Dhabi Luxury Real Estate and investing in property near new landmarks.
Ultra-Luxury Real Estate · Own Here
Across the Middle East, the finest resorts and the finest homes now sit side by side, and many international buyers own before they ever visit.
Ultra-Luxury Tourism & Ultra-Luxury Real Estate
Checked October 2026. Prices and dates are approximate and can change. See our standard.