Formula 1 returns to Madrid after 40 years with 80,000 tickets sold

Formula 1 is set to return to Madrid for the first time in more than four decades, as preparations continue for the Spanish Grand Prix scheduled for September this year. Organisers have confirmed that around 80,000 tickets have already been sold, underlining strong early demand for the event, which will mark Formula 1’s first race in the Spanish capital since 1981.

The race will take place on a new urban-style circuit known as Madring, located around the IFEMA Madrid exhibition centre and the Valdebebas area. Construction works are currently underway, with organisers stating that the circuit is expected to be completed by the end of May, allowing sufficient time for homologation and operational testing ahead of the race weekend.

Strong early demand for Madrid’s F1 debut

The update was confirmed by José Vicente de los Mozos, president of the executive committee of IFEMA Madrid, who said that ticket sales have exceeded expectations at this early stage. According to De los Mozos, the level of demand reflects both the popularity of Formula 1 in Spain and the international appeal of Madrid as a host city.

The Madrid Grand Prix is scheduled to take place from September 11 t0 13, following its inclusion on the Formula 1 calendar under a long-term agreement. The event will coexist alongside the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix during the initial phase of the contract.

Circuit works on schedule

Organisers have insisted that construction is progressing according to plan. The temporary circuit will combine existing roads with purpose-built sections, allowing Madrid to host a race without the need for a permanent racetrack outside the city. The completion target of late May is considered essential to meet Formula 1 and FIA safety and logistical requirements.

Once finished, the circuit will undergo a homologation process, during which safety barriers, run-off areas and operational systems will be tested and approved.

Ticket prices confirmed across multiple categories

Alongside confirmation of strong sales, ticket pricing for the Madrid Grand Prix has also been made public. Prices vary depending on access and seating category, with options designed to appeal to a broad range of fans.

General admission tickets, known as Pelouse, start at around €195 for a three-day pass. Grandstand seating is priced higher, with Bronze tickets starting at approximately €324, Silver grandstands around €464, and Gold seating ranging between €603 and €799, depending on location and visibility.

Premium hospitality packages are also available, offering exclusive viewing areas and additional services. These packages range from around €1,300 and can exceed €5,000, depending on the level of access and amenities included.

A major moment for Madrid and Spanish motorsport

Madrid last hosted a Formula 1 race in 1981, when the Spanish Grand Prix was held at the Jarama circuit. The return of the sport to the capital more than 40 years later is being framed as a landmark moment for Spanish motorsport and a significant boost for the city’s international profile.

Organisers estimate that the event will attract tens of thousands of international visitors, delivering economic benefits across tourism, hospitality and transport sectors. The race is also expected to generate extensive global media coverage, placing Madrid at the centre of the Formula 1 calendar.

As preparation continues

With ticket sales already high and construction progressing on schedule, attention is now turning to the final phases of preparation. Further operational details, including transport plans and race-weekend logistics, are expected to be announced closer to the event.

If timelines are met, Madrid will officially rejoin the Formula 1 calendar in September 2026, ending a four-decade absence and opening a new chapter for the sport in Spain’s capital.