The 2026 F1 schedule (Formula 1 season) officially begins on Sunday, March 8, 2026, with the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park in Melbourne. Due to the timing of Ramadan, the traditional Middle Eastern openers have been shifted to later in the spring: the Bahrain Grand Prix will take place on April 12, 2026, followed by the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on April 19, 2026. The record-tying 24-race calendar concludes on December 6 in Abu Dhabi, marking the start of a new era with sweeping technical and engine regulation changes.
2026 F1 Race Calendar: Key Dates & Locations
The 2026 schedule prioritizes regionalization to improve sustainability and logistics. After the initial flyaway races in the Pacific, the grid moves to the Middle East before heading to North America and Europe. The first race of the season will be in Melbourne, Australia on March 8th, 2026. The season finale is on December 6th in Abu Dhabi.
Opening 2026 F1 Race Dates:
- Round 1: Australia (Melbourne) – March 8
- Round 2: China (Shanghai) – March 15
- Round 3: Japan (Suzuka) – March 29
- Round 4: Bahrain (Sakhir) – April 12
- Round 5: Saudi Arabia (Jeddah) – April 19
Expert Note from the Sports Brackets Analyst: The 2026 season is more than just a schedule change; it’s a total technical reset. With the introduction of the new 50/50 electrical-to-combustion power units and the debut of the Cadillac F1 team, the ‘pecking order’ established over the last few years will likely be thrown out the window in Melbourne. Pay close attention to the Australian GP results. Historically, whoever wins the season opener in a major regulation-change year has a massive advantage in the development race for the rest of the season.
2026 F1 Schedule
The 2026 F1 schedule has a record-setting 24 races this season. Fans get to enjoy the return of the Spanish Grand Prix to the Madrid semi-street circuit, races in Monaco and Singapore, and more this season. If you like to watch F1 and the NASCAR Cup Series races on the same weekends, we have that schedule posted for you as well.
| Date | Race | Circuit |
| January 30 | Pre-Season Testing | Barcelona-Catalunya |
| February 13 | Pre-Season Testing | Bahrain |
| February 20 | Second Pre-Season Testing | Bahrain |
| March 8 | Australian Grand Prix | Albert Park |
| March 15 | Chinese Grand Prix | Shanghai International Circuit |
| March 29 | Japanese Grand Prix | Suzuka |
| April 12 | Bahrain Grand Prix | Bahrain International Circuit |
| April 19 | Saudi Arabian Grand Prix | Jeddah Corniche Circuit |
| May 3 | Miami Grand Prix | Miami International Autodrome |
| May 24 | Canadian Grand Prix | Circuit Gilles Villeneuve |
| June 7 | Monaco Grand Prix | Circuit de Monaco |
| June 14 | Barcelona Grand Prix | Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya |
| June 28 | Austrian Grand Prix | Red Bull Ring |
| July 5 | British Grand Prix | Silverstone |
| July 19 | Belgian Grand Prix | Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps |
| July 26 | Hungarian Grand Prix | Hungaroring |
| August 23 | Dutch Grand Prix | Zandvoort |
| September 6 | Italian Grand Prix | Monza |
| September 13 | Spanish Grand Prix | Madring |
| September 26 | Azerbaijan Grand Prix | Baku City Circuit |
| October 11 | Singapore Grand Prix | Marina Bay Street Circuit |
| October 25 | United States Grand Prix | Circuit of The Americas |
| November 1 | Mexico City Grand Prix | Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez |
| November 8 | Brazilian Grand Prix | Interlagos |
| November 21 | Las Vegas Grand Prix | Las Vegas Strip Circuit |
| November 29 | Qatar Grand Prix | Lusail Circuit |
| December 6 | Abu Dhabi Grand Prix | Yas Marina Circuit |
Printable 2026 F1 Schedule
Here’s the printable 2026 F1 schedule for you. You can save or print the schedule to PDF format to share and post depending on what your needs and preferences are to follow the action this season.
When does the 2026 F1 season start?
The 2026 F1 season begins on March 8, 2026, with the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park in Melbourne.
Why is the Bahrain GP so late in 2026?
The Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix were moved to April to avoid a conflict with the month of Ramadan, which takes place in February and March 2026.
Will there be a new team in F1 in 2026?
Yes, Cadillac is set to join the grid as the 11th team in 2026, featuring an experienced driver lineup including Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez.
