Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2026 in Abu Dhabi

The Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix returns to Abu Dhabi from Thursday 3 to Sunday 6 December 2026, bringing the Formula 1 season to a close at Yas Marina Circuit on Yas Island. It is the one weekend of the year when the capital feels like the centre of the sporting world, with racing on track by day and big-name concerts once the cars have gone quiet.

If you have been before, you will know the drill. If you have not, this is your guide to how the weekend fits together, what the after-race concerts look like this year and how to pick the right ticket.

About the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2026

As the season finale, Abu Dhabi is where the year’s racing story comes to an end. The weekend follows the familiar Formula 1 rhythm: practice on the Friday, qualifying on the Saturday and the race itself on the Sunday. Each day builds on the last, so even a single-day ticket gives you a proper taste of the action.

The event is organised by Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management, and the official tagline sums up the mood nicely: “All roads lead to Yas this December.” Expect Yas Island to be busy across the whole weekend, with visitors arriving from all over the world.

Exact gate opening times and session times had not been published on the official ticket page when we checked, so keep an eye on the Abu Dhabi GP website and app closer to the date before you plan your journey.

Yasalam After-Race Concerts

The Yasalam programme, presented by e& entertainment, is what turns a race weekend into a festival. The after-race concerts are open only to Grand Prix ticket holders, and this year’s line-up spreads headliners across every night:

• Wednesday: Andrea Bocelli, as part of Yasalam Classics
• Thursday: Zara Larsson and Lewis Capaldi
• Friday: Anyma, with the official ÆDEN after-party at Yas Gateway Park
• Saturday: Imagine Dragons
• Sunday: The Chainsmokers and The Script

That is a remarkable spread, from Bocelli’s operatic voice midweek to Anyma’s immersive electronic show on the Friday. There is also a multi-day option called 16/360, which features Shimza, Camelphat and Black Coffee, so dance music fans have plenty to choose from too.

If you want to be right at the front, Golden Circle upgrades are offered for the Thursday, Saturday and Sunday concerts, with the Friday version built into the Roaming Oasis package. According to the organisers, Golden Circle brings closest-to-stage access, fast-track entry, an easy exit and dedicated drinks points.

Choosing Your Grandstand or Hospitality

Yas Marina Circuit offers a wide range of ways to watch, and the right one depends on how you like to spend a race weekend. General admission suits people who want to roam and soak up the atmosphere, while a grandstand seat gives you a fixed view of a particular stretch of track.

The named grandstands include West Club, the North Straight Grandstand, the South Grandstand and the Marina Grandstand. For a more comfortable experience, Premium options include Horizon Terrace, Terrace At West and the West Yas Suite. At the top end, Premium Hospitality covers Horizon Terrace Premium, the Sunset Lounge, the Shams Suite and Deck at Two.

Grandstand and premium listings on the official site mention on-track action, fanzones and concert access, after-race concerts and Abu Dhabi experiences, with dining or views featuring in the upper tiers. Read the inclusions carefully for the ticket you are eyeing, as they vary from one product to the next.

Who It Is For

Motorsport fans come first, obviously. Watching the final race of the season in person, with the championship story wrapping up in front of you, is something many fans plan years around.

But the concerts mean the Grand Prix appeals just as much to music lovers. Where else can you see Imagine Dragons, Lewis Capaldi and The Chainsmokers in the same week, at the same venue, with a Formula 1 race thrown in? Groups of friends planning a big night out will be drawn to the Friday after-party, while families can look at the ticket options that suit all ages. Some packages, including Friday’s Anyma tickets, carry an age icon on the official site, so check each listing before you buy.

For more live sport around the country this season, browse our guide to sports events in the UAE.

Tips for Race Weekend

Decide which concert night matters most to you before you book. Single-day and multi-day tickets give access to different nights, so make sure the ticket you choose covers the act you most want to see.

Buy only through official channels. Tickets are sold through Ticketmaster UAE, with Ethara Live as ticketing partner, and the Abu Dhabi GP website links to a list of authorised onsellers. If you are buying through Yas Marina Circuit, the circuit advises creating your Ticketmaster UAE account first, before setting up your Abu Dhabi GP app account.

Demand is high and some categories are limited, so if you have your heart set on a particular grandstand or a Golden Circle spot, it pays to move early.

Book Your Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Weekend

Elite racing, a season finale and a week of headline concerts on Yas Island: the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2026 is the big date of the UAE winter. Book through the official Abu Dhabi GP website, then plan the rest of your trip with our guides to things to do in Abu Dhabi, things to do in December and more concerts across the UAE.