Weekend attendance at the 2026 Italian Grand Prix exceeded 400,000 for the first time in Monza’s long history on the F1 calendar.
The 2026 Italian Grand Prix had a weekend attendance upward of 400,000. Home star Kimi Antonelli took victory in Sunday’s race from 19th on the grid, becoming the first Italian driver to win the Italian Grand Prix since 1966 and the first driver to win from so far back on the grid since 1983.
While F1 reported a total 3-day turnout of 404,000 at the 2026 Italian Grand Prix, the Monza circuit itself reported a more accurate figure of 403,666. It breaks the record weekend attendance at the Italian Grand Prix of 369,041, set last year. Attendance was up in 2026 by around 34,000 on the previous year’s figure.
The Italian Grand Prix is the fourth F1 weekend in 2026 to have had a weekend attendance of 400,000 or more, after Britain (564,000), Australia (483,934) and Belgium (400,000). Last year, the Monza race ended the season as the fifth best-attended race weekend. It could rise as high as third in 2026, though the Mexico City Grand Prix – which last year had a total attendance of 401,300 – is likely to welcome an expanded crowd in 2026 thanks to Sergio Perez’s return to the grid with Cadillac.
Over the Italian Grand Prix weekend, it was announced that Italy will be host to F1’s season launch event in 2027. In addition to a three-day fan festival in Milan from February 18-20, a live season launch event will take place in the city, featuring all 22 drivers and 11 team principals. It is set to follow a similar format to 2025’s F1 75 Live show at London’s O2 Arena, in which the teams unveiled their liveries for F1’s 75th anniversary season.
2026 Italian Grand Prix in Numbers
After the race weekend, Monza released a series of figures showing the size and scale of the event. The numbers included:
- 25,000 people were working at the track over the four days of the race weekend, including 9,000 F1 team personnel, 4,500 security workers and 4,3000 hospitality staff.
- 65,000 passengers used Monza’s Black Shuttle service across Friday, Saturday and Sunday – an increase of 3,000 on the previous year, mainly due to an increase in users on Friday.
- There were close to 14,000 bicycle and e-scooters hired – up from 12,000 last year.
- 17,000 cars and 290 buses used the circuit’s car pars over the weekend.
- 43,500 passengers used train tickets offered by Trenord from Milan and across Lombardy – a 25% increase on the previous year. 1,200 bottles of water were freely distributed to fans waiting to leave Monza railway station.
- 600 police officers provided 7,000 hours of service on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. They dealt with 43 operational interventions, including 10 road accidents and 16 traffic and parking incidents.
Upgrades Set to Secure Monza’s Long Term Future
Monza’s contract to host the Italian Grand Prix currently runs through to 2031, one year before the legendary track celebrates its 110th anniversary. The chances of that contract being renewed took a positive step earlier this year, when it was confirmed that local authorities had approved renovation plans for the venue. The work will focus largely on the pit and paddock complex, with a new roof, a new race control centre and an upgraded press room being constructed. €40 million has been invested for the work to be completed.
2027 Italian Grand Prix Tickets on Sale Soon
Dates for the 2027 Italian Grand Prix have not yet been announced, though the race is highly likely to take place in early September – the slot which the event has occupied for the majority of its 76-year tenure on the schedule. F1 is expected to make an announcement regarding dates for the 2027 season before the end of the month.
Tickets for the 2027 Italian Grand Prix are expected to be available imminently. While ticket sales used to begin around Christmas, increased demand in recent years has seen the on sale date brought forward to September. Tickets for the race are usually sold in phases, with more becoming available around December or January.
