FORMULA 1 and the FIA, has confirmed the six circuits that will stage Sprint events during the 2026 FIA Formula 1 World Championship with three venues set to host the format for the very first time.
The 2026 Sprint season will open in Shanghai, followed by Miami, both hosting for the third successive year. Silverstone returns to the Sprint calendar for the first time since the format debuted in 2021, while Montréal, Zandvoort and Singapore are each set to stage their maiden Sprint weekends.
Under the format, Free Practice 1 takes place on Friday, followed by Sprint Qualifying later that day. Saturday features the Sprint race and Grand Prix Qualifying, before the weekend culminates with the main Grand Prix on Sunday. The format has continued to gain traction with fans globally, delivering strong live attendance as well as growth across broadcast, digital and social channels.
In 2024, TV viewership for Sprint weekends was on average 10% greater than non-Sprint weekends. The momentum has carried into 2025, with the first three Sprint events of the season continuing the upward trend.
Lewis Hamilton’s maiden Ferrari win in the Shanghai Sprint saw an 84% live TV audience increase across Formula 1’s top 15 markets in comparison to last year’s event, and the Miami Grand Prix Sprint, won by Lando Norris, was watched by 26.6 million TV viewers, an 18% increase versus last year. This year’s Sprint event in Belgium, won by Max Verstappen, saw a significant rise in TV viewership in both heritage and growth markets, including in Germany (+40%), France (+42%), China (+182%), and Argentina (+9%), when compared to the Sprint event in Europe in 2024.
Formula 1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali said, “The F1 Sprint has continued to grow in positive impact and popularity since it was introduced in 2021. With four competitive sessions rather than two during a conventional Grand Prix weekend, F1 Sprint events offer more action each day for our fans, broadcast partners, and for the promoters – driving increased attendance and viewership. We’re also proud to have welcomed Gatorade as an Official Partner of F1 Sprint, demonstrating the huge interest in the event from an iconic global brand. The 2026 season will usher in a new era of regulations, so having three new Sprint venues will only add to the drama on track. I want to thank the FIA, all the promoters, our partners, marshals, volunteers, and local sporting clubs for continuing to make the Sprint a big success and we all look forward to giving our fans more incredible racing and excitement in the 2026 season.”
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem added, “The Sprint format has become an increasingly exciting part of the FIA Formula One World Championship, delivering high-intensity racing and added entertainment for fans around the world. As we look ahead to a landmark 2026 season featuring a new generation of cars and regulations, I’m pleased to see the Sprint evolving alongside our broader ambitions for the sport. The inclusion of new venues alongside returning favourites reflects the continued enthusiasm from promoters, teams and fans alike. We will continue to work closely with FOM, the teams, our officials, and the drivers to ensure the Sprint format enhances the championship.”
