The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix returns to Yas Marina Circuit from Thursday 3 to Sunday 6 December 2026 as the season finale of the Formula 1 championship — round 23 of 23. After a year in which two other Gulf races were cancelled, the Abu Dhabi race is confirmed to go ahead: Formula 1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali confirmed it on 3 October 2026, and FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem confirmed it again on 20 October. The race itself runs on Sunday 6 December at 17:00 local time, 58 laps of the 5.281-kilometre circuit under the floodlights. For the complete race weekend guide, see the full abu dhabi grand prix 2026 breakdown.
The race and the circuit
Yas Marina Circuit has hosted the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix since 2009. The lap is 5.281 kilometres with 16 corners, run anti-clockwise, for a total race distance of 306.188 kilometres. It is a twilight race: it starts in daylight and finishes under floodlights, which is part of what makes the television pictures so distinctive. There is no sprint race in 2026, so the weekend follows the standard format.
The on-track sessions run Friday to Sunday. First practice is Friday 4 December from 13:30 to 14:30, with second practice from 17:00 to 18:00. Third practice is Saturday 5 December from 14:30 to 15:30, and qualifying follows the same day from 18:00 to 19:00. The race starts at 17:00 on Sunday. Thursday 3 December is Super Thursday: no cars on track, but the Fanzone, the pit lane walk and a concert are all running.
Tickets and prices
General admission on Abu Dhabi Hill starts from AED 745 for one day, AED 899 for two days, AED 1,250 for three days and around AED 1,645 for a four-day pass. Grandstand prices for four days start from AED 2,395 for Marina, AED 2,400 for North Straight and AED 2,495 for South, while the West and Main grandstands are sold out. Premium options run from the Terrace at West at AED 3,495 up to Marina Views at AED 7,995, and the Paddock Club starts from around AED 14,000.
Two things are worth knowing before you buy. First, availability changes fast, so re-check the official site at the time of booking rather than trusting any article's snapshot. Second, every race ticket includes one free day at a Yas Island theme park — Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World, SeaWorld or Yas Waterworld — plus access to the Fanzone and Oasis areas. Buy only through official channels: the official Grand Prix site, the Formula 1 tickets site or Ticketmaster.ae.
The concerts: Yasalam After-Race Concerts
The after-race concerts are included with every race ticket on a first-come, first-served basis, with a Golden Circle upgrade for the front sections. Wednesday 2 December brings Andrea Bocelli at Etihad Arena as part of Yasalam Classics — that one is separately ticketed and not included with a race ticket. Thursday 3 December has Kings of Leon with Lewis Capaldi. Friday 4 December has Jennifer Lopez with Alex Warren. Saturday 5 December has Imagine Dragons. Sunday 6 December closes with The Chainsmokers and The Script.
One caution: the official Grand Prix FAQ page lists the concerts shifted one day later than most other sources. The majority of sources — the Formula 1 site, What's On and others — agree on the 3 to 6 December dates used here, but verify on the official site before you travel, because a one-day error on concert night is an expensive mistake.
Getting there and where to stay
There is no metro on Yas Island, so plan transport. From Dubai, the E11 bus takes 50 to 60 minutes normally and 90 to 120 minutes on race days; the alternative is the RTA bus to Abu Dhabi Central followed by a taxi or local bus. Etihad Rail runs from Dubai Al Yalayis to Mohamed bin Zayed City Station in about 64 minutes, from AED 39 in Comfort class, with a free shuttle onward to Yas Mall. From Abu Dhabi city the circuit is 25 to 30 minutes away, and Zayed International Airport is 10 to 20 minutes. Yas Mall is the main parking hub, with free circuit shuttles running roughly every 15 minutes until around 1am.
Staying on Yas Island is the obvious choice if the budget allows: the W Abu Dhabi straddles the track itself, and the Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island and The WB Abu Dhabi are minutes away. Saadiyat Island is about 20 minutes away, downtown Abu Dhabi is on the Corniche, and Dubai is an alternative if you do not mind the 90 to 120 minute race-day journey. For an overview of the island's hotels and attractions, see the Yas Village Abu Dhabi guide.
What to expect on the day
Early December weather in Abu Dhabi is warm but comfortable: 26 to 28 degrees during the day and 18 to 20 in the evening. There is no dress code at the circuit, though hospitality areas expect smart casual. Comfortable shoes matter more than anything else, because the circuit is large and you will walk a lot between the grandstands, the Fanzone and the concert stage. Bring sunscreen for the afternoon and a light jacket for the evening concerts.
Check the official Grand Prix site and formula1.com for updates before you travel. The October confirmations were based on the information available at the time, and the calendar is always subject to change. But as things stand, the finale is on, the concerts are booked, and Yas Island is ready for its biggest weekend of the year.