Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: West Grandstand Review

Learn more about what it’s like to watch the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix from the West grandstand, which offers some of the best trackside views at Yas Marina Circuit.

Main Image: View from West Grandstand, Sector W-03

The 2026 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is scheduled on December 4-6

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The West grandstand, which overlooks Turns 6 and 7 at Yas Marina Circuit, offers some of the best views at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Turn 6 comes at the end of one of the longest straights on the Formula 1 calendar, making it a prime overtaking spot. Depending on where you sit in the grandstand, you’ll also have a great view of the cars negotiating Turn 7. Some of the best seats in the West Grandstand also offer a more distant view of the final corner at the circuit (Turn 16) and down the start-finish straight. Prices for all grandstands at Yas Marina Circuit have jumped considerably higher in recent years, though the excellent views go some way to making up for this. Very few grandstands on the current F1 calendar offer such good views of the track action.

Check out the view from every grandstand seat at Yas Marina Circuit on the interactive digital map.

West Grandstand: Need to Know

Please note that for the purposes of this review, we only sat in the lowest sections of the West Grandstand. We checked out the views from sections W-00 to W-08. For the equivalent views from higher sections of the grandstand, please refer to the seating map above.

The West grandstand is arranged over three levels. The standard, Premium and Premium Club categories have seats on the first level (sections W-00 to W-08), while the second and third levels are seats for the Yas West Suite and Yas West Premium Suite categories (W-09 to W-15 on the second level and W-16 to W-22 on the third level).

In the standard seats on the lowest level of the grandstand, there are eight rows of seats, A-H. Row A is lowest and closest to the track and Row H is highest. Seat numbers vary by section, with numbering from right to left (following the direction of the track). The grandstand is entered via multiple stairwells from the ground level, all of which open at Row H (the highest row of seats). Signposting on the ground level indicates the section and seat numbers being entered

The standard seats in the lowest level are separated into nine sections. Sections W-00, W-01 and W-02 are located in a north-facing section of the grandstand. Seats here are closer to Turn 7, while some seats look down the straight leading to Turn 6. The rest of the seats are east-facing, comprising sections W-03 to W-08. Seats here offer a lateral view of the cars braking into Turn 6. Some seats in W-07 also offer a clear view of the final two corners (Turns 15 & 16) and down the start-finish straight. Uniquely, the gap between sections W-02 and W-03 serves as a run-off area for Turn 6 that goes underneath the higher tiers of the grandstand.

Several large TV screens allow fans in the West Grandstand to follow the action. The first serves fans seated in sections W-00 to W-05, while a second nearby screen set at a different angle serves fans seated in sections W-06 to W-08. The TV view for fans seated in higher section numbers is more distant, but still adequate.

Seats in the West Grandstand are included with selected ticket packages from F1 Experiences, including Hero | West. As well as a 3-day ticket in the West Grandstand, packages include access to exciting trackside activities on Thursday (Exclusive Pit Lane Walk, Guided Track Tour, Championship Trophy Photo & Inside F1 event). Click the button below to view all Abu Dhabi packages from F1 Experiences.

How to Access the West Grandstand?

The closest entrance gate for the West Grandstand is Gate 14 on Yas Leisure Drive. You can also enter via the adjacent Gate 19 next to the West Straight Grandstand, where there is also a tunnel to the Main Fanzone on the infield of the circuit. The West Oasis, where you will find food and drink outlets, merchandise stalls and more, is located directly behind the West and West Straight grandstands.

What Kind of Seats are Available in the West Grandstand? Is it Covered?

All seats in the West Grandstand are individual bucket seats with backs. Despite the circuit and this grandstand being over 15 years old, the seats are still in excellent condition and clearly well maintained.

Like all grandstands at Yas Marina Circuit, the West Grandstand is covered. However, the roof sits high over the grandstand, most of which is east facing, so the regular seats in the lowest section of the grandstand are subject to direct sunlight during the afternoon.

What about the West Straight Grandstand?

High demand for tickets in the post-pandemic era has seen the promoter of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix add several temporary grandstands to the ticket offer at Yas Marina Circuit. One of these is the West Straight grandstand. As the name implies, it’s located on the straight and next to the West grandstand. It’s considerably cheaper than the West grandstand, and the views are not as good, as you are seeing the cars pass you on the straight rather than negotiating a corner. Whilst covered, it’s also a temporary structure that is less comfortable than the adjacent West grandstand – seats also sit at a lower level. If you can afford it, and tickets are available, the West Grandstand is a better choice. 3-day seats in the West Straight grandstand are currently available via our supplier for 620 EUR ($710 USD).

Where are the Best Seats in the West Grandstand?

We would argue that there are very few bad seats in the West Grandstand! Arguably the best seats are in section W-06 (high numbered seats) and W-07 (low numbered seats), where you have lateral views of the approach to Turn 6, as well as a direct (though more distant) view of the final two corners (Turns 15 & 16) and a view directly down the start-finish straight. Section W-05 arguably offers the best views of Turn 6, given that it’s situated right before the apex of the corner. Seats here also offer more distant views of the final turn. For a slightly different perspective, the views of Turns 6-7 and Turn 16 from the north-facing sections of the grandstand (especially W-02) are also very good.

How Much do West Grandstand Tickets Cost?

Tickets for the 2026 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix went on general sale in February, just before the outbreak of hostilities in the Middle East. For recent editions of the race, the promoter of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has employed the controversial practice of dynamic pricing. Earlier phases of ticket sales were priced at much lower prices than later phases. According to our research, prices for standard tickets (sections W-00 to W-08) in the West Grandstand range from 2,995-5,200 AED ($815-1,416 AED). A range of West grandstand tickets are currently available via our trusted supplier, with prices starting from 1,034 EUR.

Prices for the more expensive West Grandstand Club seats on the second and third levels range from 3,695-6,300 AED ($1,006-1,715 AED), and prices for the most expensive West Yas Suite tickets range from 4,695-7,500 AED ($1,278-2,042 AED). Prices for the cheapest tickets in the temporary West Straight grandstand adjacent were not published; 3-day seats in the West Straight grandstand are currently available via our supplier for 620 EUR ($710 USD). View the full 2026 Abu Dhabi price list in this post.