Trackside in Madrid – 2026 Spanish Grand Prix

Tips and advice about the trackside experience at the Madring for F1 fans attending the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid.

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The 2026 Spanish Grand Prix will take place on September 11-13

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Formula 1 is heading to Madrid for the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix on September 11-13. The Madring is the new home of the Spanish Grand Prix, taking over from Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, which remains on the schedule as host of the Barcelona Grand Prix. The track, located in the centre of Madrid near the IFEMA exhibition centre, is set to become the most accessible F1 venue, close to the airport and well-linked by public transport.

The Madring joins the calendar on a 10-year contract, with Formula 2 and Formula 3 signed up to appear as support categories for the entirety of its tenure. As a brand new venue, many details about the trackside experience are yet to emerge. This post will be updated with the latest information for fans attending the inaugural race in September 2026 as it becomes available.

Madring: Access & Orientation

How to Get to IFEMA Madrid: Getting There & Around

Entry Gates: Gate opening times and access points will be announced closer to the race. Organisers say the circuit “will remain open for over 8 hours daily”. Re-entry is not allowed.

Circuit Zones: The circuit is split into zones. Your ticket will allow access only to the zone that your chosen grandstand is in, plus its associated Fan Zone(s).

Madring Parking: Private car parks will be set up around the circuit, allowing access to different areas of the track. Spaces will be limited. Race organisers encourage fans to use public transport for the race weekend.

Allowed Items: Information on what you can and can’t bring into the circuit with you is yet to be confirmed. Usually, plastic bottles, food and baby strollers/prams are on the allowed list – though exact rulings vary from circuit to circuit.

Prohibited Items: You cannot bring your own food or beverages into the circuit. Also on the prohibited list: illegal substances or any article that might be used or interpreted as a weapon and/or compromise public safety or enjoyment of the Event including knives, bladed items, fireworks, smoke canisters, personal protection sprays, air-horns, vuvuzelas, whistles, flares, firearms, ammunition, weapons, dangerous or hazardous items; Drones or similar equipment, phone jammers, radio scanners, walkie-talkies, laser devices, selfie sticks; Bicycles, roller-skates, skateboards, scooters, prams, umbrellas; Items which could in the option of the Promoter be used to sabotage or damage property; Items of a political, religious or other similar nature or items bearing offensive slogans or messages; Any other items considered dangerous or prohibited by the current safety regulations for public events The circuit’s FAQs page will be updated with further information ahead of the race.

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Thursday Pit Lane Walk

At some races, fans are granted access to the pit lane on Thursday, ahead of the race weekend. It’s yet to be announced if this will be the case at the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix. Catalunya, the former host of the Spanish Grand Prix, has offered pit lane walks to 3,000 3-day ticket holders in recent years. Tickets for these events usually sell out fast.

2026 Spanish Grand Prix Timetable

On-Track Schedule: The complete on-track timetable for the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix will not be published until around six weeks before race weekend. Confirmed F1 session times are listed below.

Support Categories: Formula 2 and Formula 3 are already confirmed to be the main support series at the Madring in 2026. For Formula 3, it will be the final race weekend of the season. Given the close racing in F3, it’s likely to be a title decider. Other support categories, if there are any, are yet to be announced.

Post-Race Track Invasion: Details of post-race track invasions at the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix have not been revealed. At many circuits, gates are opened on the main straight after the race to allow fans to get closer to the podium celebrations.

Friday

13:30-14:40: Formula 1 – Free Practice 1 (FP1)

17:00-18:00: Formula 1 – Free Practice 2 (FP2)

Saturday

12:30-1:30: Formula 1 – Free Practice 3 (FP3)

16:00-17:00: Formula 1 – Qualifying

Sunday

15:00-17:00: Formula 1 2026 Spanish Grand Prix (TBC Laps or 2 hours)

Madring Fan Zone & Entertainment

Details for the Fan Zones at the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix are yet to be revealed in full, though the promoter says that there will be fan zones, trackside concerts, simulators, exhibitions and other activities. There will be four Fan Zones in total. Local DJs will perform on the stages – and it’s also common for the drivers to be interviewed on the main stage on Friday and Saturday.

Organisers say there will be shaded areas, water stations and restrooms available in each area. Further information will be available in the weeks leading up to the inaugural event.

Food & Drink

Spanish Grand Prix organisers have promised “gastronomic areas” and exclusive merchandise shops at the Madring for its inaugural appearance on the F1 calendar. Exact details about food and drink on offer is not yet available, but organisers say food will be on offer in each of the circuit’s Fan Zones, from street food to food prepared by renowned international chefs.