Formula 1 and the FIA have revealed the official Sprint calendar for 2026, confirming six venues that will stage the shorter race format. The schedule introduces three brand-new Sprint hosts alongside familiar circuits, marking another step in the evolution of the format since its debut in 2021. The announcement comes ahead of the sport’s next big regulatory overhaul, with 2026 set to launch a fresh era in car design and racing dynamics.
The first Sprint of 2026 will be held in Shanghai, continuing the circuit’s role as one of the leading hosts for the format. Miami follows shortly after, keeping its place on the Sprint roster for the third straight year. Silverstone makes its return to the Sprint lineup for the first time since the inaugural event five years ago, while Montreal, Zandvoort, and Singapore are each set to welcome their very first Sprint weekends.
Sprint weekends have become a fan favorite thanks to their packed schedule, offering on-track action every day. Friday features practice and Sprint Qualifying, Saturday delivers both the Sprint race and Grand Prix Qualifying, and Sunday rounds things off with the main Grand Prix. Backed by a new global sponsorship with Gatorade under PepsiCo, the format has only grown in commercial appeal and international reach.
Statistics from recent years highlight the format’s strong pull with viewers. In 2024, Sprint events drew around 10% more global TV audiences than traditional weekends. Lewis Hamilton’s maiden Ferrari win in the Shanghai Sprint of 2025 sparked an 84% jump in live viewership across major markets, while Lando Norris’s triumph in Miami attracted over 26 million fans. Similarly, Max Verstappen’s commanding Belgian Sprint win fueled massive spikes in audiences across Europe, Asia, and South America.
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali praised the Sprint’s rising influence, stressing that the expanded format boosts fan engagement and commercial success. FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem echoed the sentiment, noting that Sprint weekends bring high-intensity racing and enrich the championship. With new venues added, iconic circuits returning, and an all-new set of technical rules arriving in 2026, both leaders believe the Sprint format is set to deliver even greater drama and excitement in Formula 1’s next chapter.
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