Just a few tickets remain for the 2026 F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, as the kingdom lives up to this year’s race slogan – ‘The Island of Racing Passion’.
This year’s race will take place from April 10 to 12 and during a Press conference held at the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) last night, BIC chief executive Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa revealed that all tickets for Turn 1 Grandstand and Champions Club have already been snatched up and Main Grandstand is 98 per cent sold out.
“We are looking very positive for 2026, reflecting the incredible popularity of motorsport in Bahrain and around the world,” Shaikh Salman noted.
“Our Turn 1 Grandstand is already sold out, the main grandstand is 98pc sold, with the others not far behind.
“In addition to the sell out of our Corporate Boxes and Champions Club hospitality, we are set for an incredible weekend of racing and entertainment in April.”
In addition to Main Grandstand, hospitality packages like Paddock Club and The Dome by F1 Experiences are still for sale.
Pre-season testing for this year’s F1 season kicks off today and fans in Bahrain can attend the testing tomorrow and on Friday, as well as February 19 and 20.
They will be the first in the world to witness the new era of F1 cars and the 11th F1 team on track.
Shaikh Salman also noted that the slogan for this year’s grand prix reflected Bahrain’s rich history in motorsport, which goes back decades before BIC hosted the region’s first-ever F1 grand prix on April 4, 2004 (04.04.04)
“We are really proud of our racing history, not just as the first F1 race to be held in the Middle East back in 2004, but you can go way back to 1954 when the Bahrain Motor Federation was founded – that passion has been there for a long time,” he added.
“At the same time, we also wanted our slogan to recognise the growing passion of the fans and the generation in Bahrain who have grown up with F1 as part of their lives.”
The Bahrain Grand Prix will be the fourth round of the 2026 FIA F1 World Championship, with new regulations coming into effect and Cadillac joining the grid this year.
Defending F1 Constructors’ World Champion McLaren’s team principal Andrea Stella and Gulf Air chief executive Martin Gauss attended the Press conference which was hosted by F1 presenter and commentator David Croft.
Shaikh Salman highlighted how the BIC team has been preparing for this year’s race, which will take place amidst brand-new LED lights installed around the track.
“We have new lights and this will be the first time the Grand Prix will be running under the new LED lights,” Shaikh Salman told the GDN.
In addition to F1, the Grand Prix weekend will feature racing action from the Formula 2 and Formula 3 championships, as well as the Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East.
Off the track, BIC has lined up a stellar programme, including a Friday night concert on April 10 by popular Dutch DJ Martin Garrix, open to all grand prix ticket holders.
In addition, a water spectacular circus will be putting on an incredible show for the entire family, and a variety of performers such as Hot Wheels, Barbie, Blippi, and many other popular characters will keep young fans entertained.
The fan-favourite Ferris Wheel is back to offer a memorable carnival ride, while a variety of roaming acts will be interacting with attendees across BIC’s F1 Village.
For motorsport enthusiasts, F1 Fan Zone will be bringing them closer to the sporting experience with plenty of motorsport activations.
The preseason testing will be divided into two three-day sessions, with the first running until Friday, and the second round will be next week from February 18 to 20.
Fans will be able to access the tests on the last two days of each session.
Tickets cost BD10 per day for adults and BD5 per day for children.
Those who purchased early bird tickets get free access on February 19 and 20.
A replica of the 2026 F1 car in Bahrain livery was unveiled during last night’s event and will also be on display for fans to see up close.
For more information, visit bahraingp.com, call the BIC Hotline on 17450000, or follow the circuit’s official social media channels.
naman@gdnmedia.bh
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