Your trackside guide to Baku City Circuit & the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. On-track schedule, trackside attractions & post-race concerts
Azerbaijan F1 Tickets / F1 Experiences / Baku Hotels / Baku F1 Facebook Group
- The 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix takes place from September 24-26
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After an uneventful first year, when it was known as the European Grand Prix, Baku has delivered several exciting races. The organizers have also improved the fan experience year on year after some initial teething problems With very few international visitors for the race, you definitely won’t be facing the traffic chaos, queues and other issues faced by many fans at some of the largest races this year. Taking a leaf out of Singapore and Abu Dhabi, Baku also puts on some big-name concerts. The concerts moved back to Crystal Hall in 2024, the venue Azerbaijan hosted the Eurovision Song Contest in 2012. Will Smith and J Balvin performed as part of the 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Formula 1’s sprint format has not been used in Azerbaijan since 2023, and won’t return in 2026.
Entry to Baku City Circuit
- Circuit Entry: You will be able to enter the circuit after scanning your e-ticket. You will receive a wristband, which will be required for re-entry on the same day.
- Access Gates: Six gates provide access to Baku City Circuit (see map below). Most of the grandstands and off-track activities are located on the southern side of the circuit, closest to the waterfront boulevard (or Bulvar). To get around the circuit, there’s plenty of underpasses and bridges to help you cross the track. Due to road closures, it can also be quicker to use the metro to get from one part of the track to another. For example, the quickest way to get from the old town to the Fanzone is to take the Metro one stop from Icheri Sheher to Sahil.
- Security / Prohibited Items: Fans are subject to a search and bag inspection when entering the circuit. Prohibited items are listed at the bottom of this post.
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Baku City Circuit: Need to Know
- Post-Race Track Invasion: After the race on Sunday, it is normally possible to enter the track for the podium ceremony (the so-called ‘track invasion). Track gates are opened in the F1 Fanzone (Purple Zone) near the Absheron Grandstand.
- Fanzones: The entertainment areas at Baku City Circuit are divided into several zones. The main F1 Fanzone (Purple Zone) is located behind the Absheron Grandstand on the start/finish straight, close to the seafront boulevard known as the ‘Bulvar’. There is no physical separation between the zones, so it’s possible to visit all of them.
2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix Schedule
- On-Track Schedule: The full timetable of on-track action for the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix will not be published until around six weeks before race weekend. Confirmed F1 session times are listed below. To avoid a clash with Azerbaijan’s day of rememberance on Sunday, September 27, the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix will be held from Thursday, September 24 to Saturday, September 26. (View the 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix schedule here.)
- Sprint Race: Baku will not host an F1 Sprint in 2026
- Support Categories: Formula 2 is expected to be the only support category at the 2026 Azerbaijan GP
- Fanzone Opening/Closing Times: To be confirmed for 2026
- Pit Lane Walk: A pit lane walk for holders of 4-day tickets is normally held on Thursday (this year, it will be on Wednesday) from 16:30-18:00. Details will not be confirmed for 2026 until 1-2 months before race weekend. F1 Experiences also holds a separate pit lane walk for selected guests on Thursday. Guests of the F1 Paddock Club can take part in daily pit lane walks from Friday to Sunday.
Thursday, September 24
- TBC: Formula 2 – Practice Session
- 12:30-13:30: Formula 1 – Free Practice 1 (FP1)
- TBC: Formula 2 – Qualifying Session
- 16:00-17:00: Formula 1 – Free Practice 2 (FP2)
Friday, September 25
- 12:30-13:30: Formula 1 – Free Practice 3 (FP3)
- TBC: Formula 2 – Sprint Race
- 16:00-17:00: Formula 1 – Qualifying
Saturday, September 26
- TBC: Formula 2 – Feature Race
- 14:44-14:46: National Anthem
- 15:00-17:00: Formula 1 Qatar Airways Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2026 (51 laps or 2 hours)
2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix: Pit Lane Walk
Details of the pit lane walk for 2026 won’t be confirmed until 1-2 months before race weekend. Details of the 2025 pit lane walk are listed below for information purposes and subject to change.
- A pit lane walk will be held on held on Thursday from 16:30-18:00 (entry only from 16:30-17:15)
- The pit lane walk is open to all 4-day ticket holders (holders of 3-day General Admission tickets cannot participate)
- The pit lane walk is a unique opportunity to walk down the pit lane and get a glimpse of the teams at work, as they make the final preparations to the cars ahead of the race weekend. If you’re lucky, you may even spot a driver or two!
- The F1 Fanzone is also open on Thursday
F1 Fan Forum at the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Details of the Fan Forum at the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix won’t be announced until much closer to race weekend.
The popular F1 Fan Forum sees the drivers appear on the stage in the fanzone at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix for a live Q&A. The drivers from each team appear on different days. Last year, the sessions took place on Friday morning (10:35-11:15) and Saturday morning (10:35-11:05). As the drivers do not stay around for long, we recommend getting there early if you want the best chance of seeing your favorite driver up close. The stage in the fan zone is located behind the Absheron (Main) Grandstand.
2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix Concerts
Katy Perry and Calvin Harris will headline concerts on 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend. After holding concerts on a temporary stage in the fan zone post-covid, the concerts returned to Baku Crystal Hall in 2024. This is the impressive concert venue along the Bulvar (seafront boulevard) that staged the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest.
Whilst it is possible to walk from Baku City Circuit to Baku Crystal Hall (about one hour on foot), the race organizer does offer shuttle transfers to F1 fans, which leave from near the Maiden Tower. All 4-day grandstand ticket holders have free access to the concerts. (Holders of 3-day General Admission tickets do not receive free concert entry, but separate tickets are available for purchase). Martin Garrix and Anyma headlined the 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Italian-American producer Anyma performed on Friday from 21:00-00:00, while Glass Animals and Martin Garrix took to the stage after the track action on Saturday from 21:30-01:00.
Prohibited Items at Baku City Circuit
- Alcohol
- Food & beverages (excluding baby food)
- Animals (except for service animals)
- Umbrellas
- Weapons of any kind
- Fireworks & laser lights
- Musical instruments & sound devices
- Video-capable devices for professional use
- Photo cameras with lenses exceeding 30 cm
- Any seating devices (chairs, stools)
- Any large articles which cannot fit under a seat
- Drones
- Bicycles
- Scooters
- Rollers
- Skateboards
- Segways
- Flags with handles exceeding 1m or with provocative symbols and images, religious, political expressions and slogans, offensive banners and objects
- Picnic hampers
- Cooler boxes
- Toxic and flammable substances
- Drugs without prescription
- Any device that could cause injury or damage
We attended the Baku Grand Prix last year.
Event was excellent. Well organized and combined race events with a surrounding of culture and history.
Good to know Ron, any tips for fans planning to go this year or next? I’d love to go myself, maybe next year! Andrew
Find facebook groups where you can stand on local’s balconies rather than bother with the grandstands IMO.
Six access gates provide circuit access for fans (see map). no map !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi Brian – there is a link to the map in the paragraph you have quoted!
Hi,
Love your website!
I’ve been checking it regularly in anticipation for ticket release details!
Hopefully there will be some news soon!
Sam
Yes, we are expecting tickets to go on sale very soon. Please subscribe to our site – and check the box for Azerbaijan – we will let you know when tickets go on sale.
When will be known at what time the pit lane walk will be this year??
I don’t know, but should be in the next few weeks. We will update this post.
Concerts Saturday and Sunday?
As of now, we have concerts confirmed for Friday (Don Diablo) and Saturday (Hardwell). I wouldn’t be surprised to hear that another headliner will be performing on Sunday after the race, but not yet announced. More info here
How much are beer prices around the track ?
Sorry I’m not 100% sure. I normally take a photo of the price list for beer/food at the track, but I can’t find for Baku last year. Baku is pretty cheap overall, so I think the beer prices will be reasonable
Andrew, the pitlane walk on the Thursday is only open to 4 day ticket holders, not 3 like last year. This has been confirmed by the organisers. It is also later at 4.30pm.
https://www.bakucitycircuit.com/schedule
Thanks for clarification Clarke, even though its a bit late now. Did you attend? I’m here too and the pit lane walk looked very busy yesterday
Can you buy beer at the track?
Yes, you can. Sorry, not sure about prices, but should be fairly cheap
Your article helped me a lot!!! Thank you.
Thanks, hope you have a great weekend in Baku!
Hi Andrew,
I assume F1 driver autograph session was on the official schedule until a few months before the event, but this has been replaced by the each fan forum this year?
Does that mean that the guarantee of getting an autograph from my favorite driver is away from this year?
Hiroto
Hi Hiroto, are you talking about Baku or at another race? The Fan Forum or autograph session is something that’s organized by the circuit. The problem is that most races now have way too many fans to do an autograph session. Baku it is still there, but the attendance is quite low there. Most races will have the drivers appear on the stage for the fans, but without autograph session
what are the fan events planned for F! 2024 in Baku?
Very useful info :) I think about Azerbaijan GP at 2026. So – chance to attend F1 live event will be a new world for me.
You should go! Baku is a fascinating city and the race is really good
Hi, any updates on the PitLane walk already?
No updates. The good news is that the pit lane walk is listed on the official schedule. Just no timing yet or additional information. Don’t forget that you need a 4-day ticket to participate.
Thks for sharing. I’ll keep an eye on this blog for updates :)
Are there toilets nearby the Icheri Sheher Grandstan ? The F1 maps shows shows nothing.
Thanks
What about track construction works for weekend sessions? I mean – if I be on Monday in Baku (I talk about next – 2026 – year), can I freely go (on Tuesday) to the old city (towers, “chiort poberi” pharmacy, etc.)?
Yes, the track gets opened up fairly quickly after the race, especially for foot traffic
Maybe anyone can share they emotions from this – 2025 – year GP (as spectators)? Does any buy Sahil gransdtand ticket with F1 Experience package?
Hello I am new to F1 and I plan to watch F1 in Baku 2026, you wrote “Pit Lane Walk: A pit lane walk for holders of 4-day tickets is normally held on Thursday from 16:30-18:00 (entry from 16:30 to 17:15)”
it’s only for paddock club/ paddock experience, or, If I have any 4 days ticket (not general admission) in any grandstand, am I able to join a pit lane walk? Thank you
Anyone with a 4-day grandstand ticket can participate in the pit lane walk on Thursday. Paddock Club have separate pit lane walks from Friday to Sunday.