Friday 27 November
Gates on your ticket
- F1 Practice 1F1
- F1 Practice 2F1
When to arrive: Family Friday: the cheapest day, with free tickets for up to four under-12s per adult.
Circuit guides
Lusail F1 circuit guide
Qatar Grand Prix at Lusail International Circuit
Last updated 29 Oct 2026Photo: Jaya Chand Musunuri/Unsplash
01Quick overview
- Race weekend
- 27 to 29 November 2026
- Circuit
- Lusail International Circuit
- Address
- Al Wusail, North Relief Road, about 30 km north of central Doha
- Race
- Sunday 29 November, 7pm
- Time zone
- Arabia Standard Time (UTC+3)
- Lap length
- 5.419 km (3.367 miles)
- Laps
- 57 (308.611 km)
- Direction
- Clockwise
Is this race for you?
Pick Qatar for an affordable night race under floodlights, a free shuttle from the metro and free parking, and a post-race concert included with every ticket. Think twice if you want a party: alcohol is only sold in licensed areas, not in the fan zone. F1 confirmed in October that the race goes ahead despite the conflict in the region, but keep an eye on the news before you travel.
Sources:Lusail International Circuit: Qatar GP 2026 · Lusail International Circuit: event info · F1 confirms Qatar and Abu Dhabi (Grande Prêmio)
02Circuit map
Interactive map. Use the buttons to show or hide each layer, and tap a numbered square to see what's there. Your entry gate is printed on your ticket.
Swipe sideways to see the whole map.
Best viewing spots
- ATurn 1: Heavy braking after the 1 km straight: the main overtaking spot. Lusail Hill looks over it.
- BTurn 16: The last corner, where a good exit sets up a move down the straight.
- CThe main straight: The start, the pit stops and the finish.
What's where: fan zones, first aid and ATMs
- 1Main Fan ZoneF1 Fan Zone · Food · Merch · Fan Forum: drivers on stage · F1 displays · ATM at Spiral D, Main Grandstand
- 2Lusail HillFirst aid (medical tent) · ATM · Raised view of Turn 1
- 3Turn 10 fan zoneFood · Drinks · Activities
The circuit's official event map
Map: Lusail International Circuit
Sources:Lusail International Circuit: event map · Lusail International Circuit: Qatar GP 2026 · GP Destinations: trackside at Lusail · Streets and track outline: © OpenStreetMap contributors
03Day by day
All times are local (Qatar time). Every night ends with a post-race concert, included in every ticket.
Saturday 28 November
Gates on your ticket
- F1 Practice 3F1
- F1 QualifyingF1
When to arrive: A late finish. Check the last metro times before you go.
Sunday 29 November
Gates on your ticket
- Qatar Grand Prix (57 laps)F1
When to arrive: Arrive early: the shuttle and roads are busiest on race day.
Sources:Visit Qatar: 2026 race schedule · Lusail International Circuit: event info · Lusail International Circuit: FAQ
04Getting there
The circuit is about 30 km north of central Doha. Every ticket includes a free shuttle from the metro, free parking and a taxi drop-off zone. Tap an option for the details.
Metro and free shuttle
Take the Red Line north to Lusail QNB station, then the free shuttle bus to the circuit. In 2024 and 2025 ticket holders got a free three-day metro pass: show your race ticket to the metro staff. Inside, internal shuttles run between the gates and grandstands, but fans say they stop after the sessions.
Driving
Parking is free for ticket holders, west of the circuit, which you reach from the Al Khor Coastal Road. Fans who hired a car found it the quickest way in and out, but arrive early: road diversions held some drivers up before the 2025 race.
Taxis and ride apps
Karwa taxis and ride apps use a dedicated drop-off zone, which works well on the way in. Leaving was the problem: in 2024 Uber pick-ups were stopped on some nights and taxis ran out, and fans were stranded. The shuttle back to the metro is the safer bet.
From the airport
Hamad International Airport is south of Doha, on the Red Line, so you can take the metro all the way to Lusail QNB.
Don't rush out after the race. Fans who waited an hour, or stayed for the concert, walked straight onto a shuttle.
Sources:General Admission Lusail Hill (official) · Lusail International Circuit: FAQ · Formula 1: visiting Lusail (2024 guide) · Fan experiences on r/GrandPrixTravel
05Where to stay
Most fans stay in Doha and take the Red Line north. Lusail itself is the closest, and The Pearl sits between the two.
Find a place for race week
We earn a small commission if you book through these maps, at no extra cost to you. Thanks for the support.
Closest
Lusail
Brand-new towers, the marina and Lusail Boulevard, a short ride from the circuit.
To the track: A short ride, or the shuttle from Lusail QNB.
See hotels in Lusail →
Most popular
West Bay
Doha's skyline of hotels and offices along the Corniche, on the Red Line.
To the track: Red Line north to Lusail QNB.
See hotels in West Bay →
Upmarket
The Pearl
An artificial island of marinas, flats and restaurants, between West Bay and Lusail.
To the track: Taxi to the Red Line, or straight to the circuit.
See hotels in The Pearl →
Local feel
Old Doha: Souq Waqif and Msheireb
The traditional market, restaurants and boutique hotels in the old centre.
To the track: Red Line from Msheireb station.
See hotels in Old Doha: Souq Waqif and Msheireb →Sources:Lusail International Circuit: event info · Formula 1: visiting Lusail (2024 guide)
06Food and drink
Outside food and drink aren't allowed, apart from baby food. Every ticket includes access to the food court, with local and international food.
Alcohol
In 2024 alcohol was only sold in licensed areas, including hospitality, and not in the fan zone. You must be 21 or over.
Skip the queues
Food queues were the biggest complaint in 2024 and 2025, sometimes over an hour. Fans ordered on the Snoonu delivery app and collected from pick-up points instead. Bring a bank card: some stalls take cash, but card is recommended.
Water
Free bottled water was handed out all over the circuit in 2024 and 2025. You can also bring an empty, non-glass bottle.
Outside the circuit
Souq Waqif in old Doha is the place for Qatari and Middle Eastern food. Try machboos (spiced rice with meat) and karak tea.
Sources:Formula 1: visiting Lusail (2024 guide) · General Admission Lusail Hill (official) · Fan experiences on r/GrandPrixTravel
07What to bring and rules
Bags bigger than 75 cm aren't allowed, and every bag is searched at the gate. A normal backpack is fine, a suitcase isn't.
Allowed
- An empty, non-glass water bottle
- Baby food
- One power bank
- Cameras with lenses up to 30 cm
- Mobility scooters with a medical card
- Assistance dogs with a medical card
Not allowed
- Outside food and drink, and glass containers
- Umbrellas, folding chairs and selfie sticks
- Tripods and lenses over 30 cm
- Banners and flags over 2 x 1.5 m
- Drones, lasers and air horns
- E-scooters, bicycles and skateboards
- More than one power bank
- More than one package of medicines (up to seven)
Must bring
- Your mobile ticket in the Lusail Tickets app
- A light jacket: desert nights get much cooler than the days
- Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen lotion for the afternoon
- A bank card
- An empty, non-glass water bottle
- Comfortable shoes: it's a long walk between the grandstands and the fan zone
- One charged power bank
- Earplugs, especially for children
- An eSIM with data, set up before you fly
Amazon shop: light jacket · sunscreen · power bank · earplugs (affiliate links)
08Tickets
Tickets are sold by the circuit at tickets.lcsc.qa and through its official resellers. Grandstand tickets are three-day passes only. Only the Main Grandstand has numbered seats: everywhere else you sit where you like within your stand. Children aged 2 and under get in free if they sit on a lap. There are no refunds or changes, but you can transfer tickets to family or friends.
| Ticket | Where it is | From (QAR) |
|---|---|---|
| Family Friday GA | Friday only, Lusail Hill. Up to four under-12s free per adult | QAR 200 (about US$55) |
| General admission, Lusail Hill | Raised viewing area at Turn 1, plus other viewing platforms | QAR 600 (about US$160) |
| T16 Grandstand | The final corner, onto the main straight | QAR 1,000 (about US$270) |
| North Grandstand | Main straight, nearest Turn 1: the start and the pit exit | QAR 1,500 (about US$410) |
| Main Grandstand | Main straight, facing the garages, numbered seats | QAR 2,000 (about US$550) |
Official 2026 prices. Every ticket includes the fan zone, the food court and the post-race concert. The circuit map also shows Turn 2 and Turn 3 grandstands, which some official resellers sell.
Where to sit, and who it suits
Best for overtakes
Lusail Hill (GA)
A raised bank at Turn 1, at the end of the 1 km main straight: the main overtaking spot and lap one. Fans say most of the hill has to stay seated, so head for the top, and arrive early on race day. Grandstand ticket holders can use it too.
Best for start + pit stops
Main Grandstand
Facing the garages, with the grid, the pit stops and the finish. Depending on your seat, you can also see the podium. The only stand with numbered seats.
Best for the start
North Grandstand
Next to the Main Grandstand, closer to Turn 1. You see the grid line up, cars leave the pit lane and the launch off the line.
Best for value
T16 Grandstand
The final corner, where drivers get the exit right for the long run to the line. The cheapest grandstand.
Buy official
Avoid scams
- The circuit warns that tickets from unauthorised sites such as Viagogo, StubHub, SeatUnique and Get Me In! are invalid and won't get you in.
- All tickets are mobile tickets, delivered through the Lusail Tickets app close to the event. Don't pay for a PDF.
- Check the circuit's FAQ for the full list of official and authorised resellers before buying second-hand.
Sources:Lusail International Circuit: Qatar GP 2026 · Lusail International Circuit: FAQ · Main Grandstand (official) · General Admission Lusail Hill (official) · Family Friday ticket (official) · Fan experiences on r/GrandPrixTravel
09Fan tips
Plan for no re-entry
Fans say you can't leave and come back in once you're through the gate, so bring a power bank and everything you need for the day. Gate times are printed on your ticket.
Think about the walk
The Turn 2 and Turn 3 grandstands are a long way from the shuttles: fans took up to an hour to get from their seats onto a bus. T16 and the main straight are close to the main entrance.
Claim the free pit lane walk
In 2024 and 2025 fans who bought three-day tickets direct from the circuit were offered free pit lane walk tickets by email. They go fast, so watch your inbox.
Bring the family on Friday
Family Friday tickets cost QAR 200, and each adult can bring up to four under-12s free if you book their passes in advance.
Dress modestly in the city
Qatar is conservative. Shoulders and knees covered is a safe rule in malls, the souq and on the metro.
Pack a layer
Afternoons are warm, but fans say it gets windy and drops to around 20°C at night. A light jacket is enough.
Check the news before you fly
F1 confirmed in October that the race goes ahead, but the regional situation has changed fast this year.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair users can get a ticket plus a free ticket for one companion by emailing [email protected] with a valid government ID.
- In 2024, grandstands and general admission had accessible platforms for wheelchair users and their companions.
Sources:Lusail International Circuit: FAQ · Formula 1: visiting Lusail (2024 guide) · Visiting Qatar: travel tips (UN DESA) · F1 confirms Qatar and Abu Dhabi (Grande Prêmio) · Fan experiences on r/GrandPrixTravel
10Circuit stats
Race lap record1:22.384Lando Norris, McLaren, 2024
Fastest qualifying lap1:19.387Oscar Piastri, McLaren, 2025
Most wins (driver)3Max Verstappen
Most wins (team)3Red Bull
Main straight1,068 mInto the main overtaking spot at Turn 1
Corners16Clockwise
- Sixteen flowing medium- and high-speed corners, in the circuit's own words.
- Hard on tyres: in 2025 each set was limited to 25 laps, forcing at least two stops.
- A long main straight into Turn 1 gives the best overtaking chance.
Every winner at this circuit
| Year | Driver | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull |
| 2024 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull |
| 2023 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull |
| 2021 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes |
Sources:Wikipedia: Lusail International Circuit · Wikipedia: Qatar Grand Prix · Formula 1: Qatar GP 2026
11Fun facts
- The circuit was built in just under a year, for about US$58 million, and opened in 2004 for MotoGP.
- When its floodlights were switched on in 2007, it was the largest permanent sports lighting project in the world.
- The track is surrounded by artificial grass to stop sand blowing onto it.
- Qatar's first Grand Prix, in 2021, replaced the cancelled Australian Grand Prix. It skipped 2022 while Qatar hosted the football World Cup.
- Max Verstappen clinched his third world title here in 2023.
- The 2025 race had a 25-lap limit on each set of tyres, so every driver had to stop at least twice.
Sources:Wikipedia: Lusail International Circuit · Wikipedia: Qatar Grand Prix
Still need somewhere to stay?
Live race-week prices in the two most popular areas.
Lusail
West Bay
We check every rule, price and time against official sources. Spotted something out of date? Email [email protected].