Abu Dhabi to host 2026 F1 season finale at Yas Marina Circuit

Abu Dhabi will host the 18th edition of the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit, the emirate's media office has confirmed, with the race on December 6 serving as the final round of the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship.

What we know

Formula 1 has confirmed the traditional end-of-year test will also take place at Yas Marina Circuit, where the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will be held on December 6.

The Qatar Grand Prix is scheduled for November 29 at Lusail International Circuit, followed by the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on December 6.

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has confirmed that the governing body is fully prepared to stage both events. "We are ready for Qatar and Abu Dhabi," he said.

Formula One chief executive Stefano Domenicali had previously identified the two Middle Eastern venues as the preferred options to conclude the championship.

The status of the two races had been under scrutiny following the Iran war, which forced Formula One to make significant changes to its calendar. The Bahrain Grand Prix was moved to Malaysia, while the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was cancelled due to security concerns.

Imola in Italy is being prepared as a backup venue for the finale.

Why it matters

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is a Formula One motor racing event. The first race took place on November 1, 2009, held at the Hermann Tilke-designed Yas Marina Circuit on Yas Island, near Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

Yas Marina has hosted the season-ending Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix since 2009. Yas Marina was the second of four Formula One tracks in the Middle East, with the first being in Bahrain and subsequent tracks in Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

The 2026 event will mark the 18th edition of the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Beyond the on-track action, visitors can look forward to a packed programme of entertainment and activities across Yas Island.

Twelve international artistes will be performing across Yas Island venues, including after-race concerts. Visitors can buy multi-day tickets to access some of Abu Dhabi's leading cultural and leisure attractions.

This year's Grand Prix features extension of Paddock Club at Turn 1, which is expected to welcome 12,200 guests in 2026, up from 11,000 in 2025, making it the biggest Paddock Club on the F1 calendar.

What happens next

Formula 1 is preparing to conclude its 2026 season in the Middle East, with Qatar and Abu Dhabi set to host the final two Grands Prix despite ongoing regional tensions.

The FIA, as the sport's governing body, is responsible for approving the calendar, while the decision regarding race venues rests with Formula One and its partners. The FIA is working closely with its partners to ensure the events can take place as planned.

The last two grands prix of the year are scheduled for November 29 in Qatar and December 6 in Abu Dhabi.

Related on Apex Sports News

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• FIA chief confirms Qatar and Abu Dhabi Formula One races will go ahead

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Sources

• khaleejtimes.com

• timesofindia.indiatimes.com

• Photo: Anthony Alessio Tralongo, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)