Formula 1 is bringing a major first to the UAE capital, with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix set to host its very first Sprint race weekend in 2027, marking one of the biggest calendar shake-ups in the event’s history.
A Record-Breaking 2027 Calendar
View this post on Instagram
The announcement forms part of F1’s newly unveiled 2027 calendar, a record 24-round season that expands the Sprint format to 10 weekends, its highest number yet. Abu Dhabi joins Australia, Bahrain, Japan and Monaco as first-time Sprint hosts, while Montreal and Silverstone retain their Sprint slots from this season, and Monza, Sao Paulo and Qatar return to the format after a break.
What Changes At Yas Marina
Yas Marina Circuit will host the Sprint-format season finale from December 10 to 12, 2027, a change from the standard single-qualifying, single-race weekend structure fans have grown used to. Under the Sprint format, drivers take part in an additional short-format race earlier in the weekend, alongside a separate Sprint Qualifying session, before the main Grand Prix takes place on Sunday.
F1 Boss Welcomes The Expansion
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali welcomed the expansion, saying the sport is thrilled to increase Sprint racing to 10 events, giving fans even more intensity and the wheel-to-wheel action the format is known for. The move also comes alongside the return of Portugal and Türkiye to the 2027 calendar.
What This Means For Fans
For race fans, the Sprint addition means an even busier race week on Yas Island, with two competitive sessions to look forward to instead of one, likely intensifying the atmosphere around the season’s traditional finale. It also puts Abu Dhabi in line with several other marquee venues that have already tested the format’s shorter, high-stakes racing style in recent seasons.
While full ticketing and hospitality details for the 2027 Sprint weekend are yet to be announced, the confirmation gives fans and travellers an early heads-up to plan around the new December dates. Given how quickly race weekend accommodation and hospitality packages sell out on Yas Island, those looking to attend F1’s first Abu Dhabi Sprint are likely to want to start planning well ahead of the 2027 season.
More details on ticket sales, hospitality packages and the full 2027 race weekend schedule are expected to be announced by Formula 1 and Yas Marina Circuit in the coming months. The news lands just months after F1 confirmed the 2026 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix would go ahead as planned at Yas Marina Circuit, so the 2027 Sprint upgrade signals confidence in the venue’s continued role as the championship’s marquee season closer.
Cover Image Courtesy: Formula 1/Website
FAQs
What is an F1 Sprint race?
It's a shorter additional race held earlier in the race weekend, alongside a separate Sprint Qualifying session, before the main Grand Prix.
How many Sprint races will there be in the 2027 F1 season?
A record 10 Sprint weekends are planned as part of the 24-round 2027 calendar.
