F1 Confirms Six Sprint Venues for 2026 Season

F1 Unveils Six Sprint Locations for 2026 Calendar

Formula 1 has officially announced the six circuits set to host Sprint races during the 2026 season. The lineup includes a mix of established venues, a significant return, and several circuits making their debut in the short-format racing schedule.

Why it matters:

The Sprint format continues to grow in popularity, delivering more competitive action across Grand Prix weekends. The 2026 season is particularly significant as it introduces a new era of technical regulations, making these Sprint events pivotal for maximizing fan engagement and adding to the drama on track.

The details:

• Confirmed Sprint Venues for 2026:

  • Shanghai International Circuit (China)
  • Miami International Autodrome (USA)
  • Silverstone Circuit (Great Britain)
  • Circuit Gilles Villeneuve (Canada)
  • Circuit Zandvoort (Netherlands)
  • Marina Bay Street Circuit (Singapore)

• Shanghai and Miami will host Sprints for the third consecutive year.

• Silverstone, site of the inaugural Sprint in 2021, returns to the schedule.

• Montreal, Zandvoort, and Singapore will host their first-ever Sprint weekends.

Notable Omissions:

• Brazil will not feature on the Sprint calendar for the first time since the format's introduction.
• Qatar and the United States (excluding Miami) also drop off the schedule, having last hosted in 2022.
• Belgium, which returned as a Sprint venue in 2025, is absent from the 2026 lineup.

Format Growth & Impact:

F1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali highlighted the format's positive impact, stating Sprints offer “more action each day for our fans, broadcast partners, and for the promoters – driving increased attendance and viewership.” FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem added that new venues reflect “continued enthusiasm from promoters, teams and fans alike.”

• TV audiences for Sprint weekends in 2024 averaged 10% higher than non-Sprint events.
• Lewis Hamilton's Shanghai Sprint win boosted live TV audiences by 84% in top markets.
• Lando Norris's Miami Sprint victory attracted 26.6 million viewers, an 18% rise year-on-year.

What's next:

The next Sprint weekend on the current calendar will take place next month at the United States Grand Prix.