FIA and F1 Announce Six Sprint Races for 2026 Season

The FIA and Formula 1 have revealed the six venues set to host F1 Sprint events during the 2026 FIA Formula One World Championship, introducing three exciting new locations.

Why it matters:

The 2026 season will usher in a new era of regulations for F1, alongside the sixth year of the Sprint format. The continued evolution and expansion of the Sprint calendar underscore its growing popularity among fans and its significant impact on race weekend engagement and viewership.

The details:

The 2026 Sprint calendar includes a mix of established circuits and new additions:

• Shanghai, China (March 13-15): Hosts a Sprint weekend for the third consecutive year.
• Miami, USA (May 01-03): Also returns for its third consecutive Sprint event.
• Montréal, Canada (May 22-24): Set to host its first-ever Sprint weekend.
• Silverstone, Great Britain (July 03-05): Returns to the Sprint calendar for the first time since 2021.
• Zandvoort, Netherlands (August 21-23): Debuts as a Sprint venue.
• Singapore (October 09-11): Will host its inaugural Sprint weekend.

F1 Sprint weekends feature competitive action daily, with Sprint Qualifying on Friday, followed by the Sprint race and Grand Prix Qualifying on Saturday, culminating in the Grand Prix on Sunday. The format has consistently driven strong fan attendance and viewership. In 2024, TV viewership for Sprint weekends was, on average, 10% higher than non-Sprint weekends. Notable spikes include Lewis Hamilton’s maiden Ferrari win in the Shanghai Sprint, which saw an 84% live TV audience increase across Formula 1’s top 15 markets, and Lando Norris's Miami Sprint win, which attracted 26.6 million TV viewers, an 18% increase from the previous year.

What they're saying:

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the FIA, emphasized the Sprint format's role in delivering "high-intensity racing and added entertainment for fans." He noted its evolution alongside the sport's broader ambitions, welcoming new venues and the continued enthusiasm from promoters, teams, and fans.

Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1, highlighted the Sprint's "positive impact and popularity" since its 2021 introduction, offering "more action each day for our fans, broadcast partners, and for the promoters." He also pointed to the addition of three new Sprint venues as adding "to the drama on track" for the new regulatory era.

What's next:

As the 2026 season approaches with new car regulations, the expanded and diversified Sprint calendar aims to further enhance the championship, promising increased excitement and engagement for F1 enthusiasts worldwide.