The 2026 Spanish F1 Grand Prix will take place from September 11 to 13 in Madrid
The Spanish F1 Grand Prix is now a reality. In just 460 days, during the weekend of September 11–13, the lights will go out on the starting grid of the MADRING circuit. It will mark Formula 1’s return to Madrid after more than 45 years away.
Madrid is accelerating into history. The FIA has officially announced the 2026 calendar today, confirming that the highly anticipated Spanish Grand Prix in the capital will be held from September 11 to 13 2026, marking the debut of the MADRING circuit in the World Championship. It is the main new addition to the calendar and the first new circuit to join the World Championship since Las Vegas in 2023.
José Vicente de los Mozos, Chairman of the Executive Committee of IFEMA MADRID, highlighted the effort and dedication put into the project: “It’s thrilling to see Madrid listed on the official Formula 1 calendar for 2026 as the venue for the Spanish Grand Prix. It’s a dream realized after years of hard work led by IFEMA MADRID. Thanks to everyone’s support, the ambitious milestones we set are being met, and we are fully confident that we will deliver the best event of next season.”
Daniel Martínez, Executive Vice President of IFEMA MADRID, echoed that sentiment: “Once again, the entire IFEMA team has shown that we are capable of meeting Madrid’s great ambitions. Construction of MADRING is progressing steadily, and our organization is already prepared to make the 2026 Spanish Formula 1 Grand Prix the biggest sporting event of the year — and the best platform to showcase Madrid’s excellence to the world.”
The Spanish F1 Grand Prix will be held in Madrid from September 11 to 13. Meanwhile, the Barcelona event at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya will take place from June 12 to 14, meaning Spain will host two Grands Prix in the world’s most prestigious motorsport competition.
Luis García Abad, director of the Spanish F1 GP, emphasized the importance of having two Grands Prix on the Formula 1 calendar: “For Spain, it’s a source of pride, and for those of us involved in this project, it’s a dream come true. Not long ago, it was very difficult to even attend a race, and now having two Grands Prix is incredibly important. In Madrid’s case, after 45 years without F1, we’ve aimed to design a circuit that is appealing for the drivers and exciting for the fans.”
Construction work has been underway since the end of April to ensure everything is ready for the big event. The MADRING track will be 5.4 kilometers long and feature 22 corners set to make history. Among them, the standout is La Monumental, a real challenge for drivers with a banking angle of 24% and a half-kilometer length. Around six seconds of cornering in front of 45,000 fans who will undoubtedly fall in love with its charm. Its name pays homage to the iconic Las Ventas bullring.
MADRING as the new highlight in a year of major debuts
The Spanish GP is already in pole position for a landmark F1 season, which will see the introduction of new regulations aimed at improving competitiveness. These new rules will affect car design, which will now run on 100% sustainable fuel, and bring technical changes such as the removal of the DRS system. Additionally, there will be 11 teams instead of 10, and 22 drivers rather than the usual 20 competing in each race.
Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1, welcomed Madrid to the calendar in such a pivotal year: “We are excited to welcome Madrid to the calendar, and to see huge automotive brands like Audi, Cadillac and Ford join the Formula 1 grid.”
The Spanish GP will be the 16th stop on the 2026 calendar, taking place after the summer break and right after the race in Imola. The MADRING circuit will also host the F3 and F2 categories from September 11 to 13. Formula 3 will conclude its season in Madrid, while Formula 2 will arrive for its 11th race of the calendar, following the Temple of Speed in a double-header full of excitement.
Madrid will be the only European capital to host a Grand Prix. As a city, it offers the added value of excellent transportation infrastructure. The Feria de Madrid metro stop will bring fans directly to the entrance of the event, and the Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport is only five minutes from the venue — a major advantage for the GP.
The Spanish Grand Prix had its first major moment last weekend. On Saturday, June 7, driver Carlos Sainz performed for the first time on the urban part of the circuit in front of his home crowd — an event that drew 80,000 spectators. The Madrid-born driver and MADRING ambassador shared his excitement about racing at home: “If you had told me 20 years ago that there would be a Grand Prix 20 minutes from my house, I wouldn’t have believed you. I think the Madrid layout will have a personality of its own.”
In just 460 days, the Spanish Grand Prix will become a reality, with the goal of establishing itself as a fixture on the F1 calendar for at least the next 10 years.