Information about entrance, race schedule, fan zone, concerts & more at Circuit Zandvoort for F1 fans attending the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix.
2026 Zandvoort F1 Tickets / F1 Experiences / Where to Stay / Zandvoort Facebook group
- The 2026 Dutch Grand Prix is scheduled from August 21-23
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After an absence of 36 years, the Dutch Grand Prix returned to the Formula 1 calendar at Circuit Zandvoort in 2021. But it is set to be a short-lived stay, with the organizers recently announcing that the Dutch GP will leave the calendar after 2026. Zandvoort is a historic circuit that has benefited from significant investment associated with the return of the Dutch Grand Prix, but is limited by its compact size and location in the protected sand dunes next to the North Sea. This means that spectator areas can get very congested at peak times during race weekend. The good news is that the crowds are generally moving, if very slowly at times. The organizers’ have also put in place a well-executed mobility plan that encourages fans to arrive at the circuit by bicycle or public transport, and has banned most vehicles from local roads near the circuit on race weekend. Overall, the Dutch Grand Prix is one of the most well organized races on the current F1 calendar. On the downside, the weather next to the beach on the North Sea can be cold, wet and windy. Both of the last two races at Zandvoort have been impacted by poor weather and it pays to be prepared for any eventuality when planning a trip to the Dutch Grand Prix.
Circuit Zandvoort: Good to Know
- Race App: Download the Dutch GP app, where you can add your e-tickets and have easy access to the circuit map, event schedule & more
- Circuit Opening Times: The circuit gates are open from 08:00-21:00 during the 2025 Dutch GP (Friday August 29, Saturday August 30 & Sunday August 31)
- Entrance Gates: Three entrance gates provide access to Circuit Zandvoort – see the circuit map above. Please note that with the exception of fans staying in the 538 Dutch Grand Prix Village (official campsite for the race), there are no pass outs or re-entry at the Dutch Grand Prix. See below for recommended entrance gates depending on your ticket type. Prohibited items are listed at the end of this post.
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Gate Opening Times & Entrance Gates at Circuit Zandvoort
The event grounds are open from 08:00-21:00 during the three event days of the 2025 Dutch Grand Prix. Recommended entrance gates are listed below. Check the 2025 circuit map above. (TBC for 2026)
- Gate 1: VIP Zone, General Admission 1, Tarzan-In Grandstands, Pit Grandstand, Main Grandstand, Ben Pon Grandstand
- Gate 2: VIP Zone, Fanzone, General Admission 2, Arena-Out Grandstand, Arena Grandstands, Arena-In Grandstand, Eastside Grandstands, Champions Club by F1 Experiences (If you are taking the train to Zandvoort, Gate 2 is the closest entry point.)
- Gate 4: General Admission 1, Eastside Grandstands, Hairpin Grandstands
2026 Dutch Grand Prix Schedule
- On-Track Schedule: The full timetable for on-track action at the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix will not be confirmed until around six weeks before race weekend. The 2025 schedule is listed below for information purposes, but be aware that the schedule will be different in 2026 due to the sprint format.
- Sprint Format: It’s been confirmed that the F1 Sprint format will be used next year at Zandvoort.
- Support Categories: The confirmed support categories so far for 2026 are the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup and F1 Academy. Unlike other European rounds, F2 and F3 will not be in action at Zandvoort.
- Pit Lane Walks: The promoter holds a pit lane walk on Thursday afternoon for selected guests, and in 2025 also offered a paid upgrade to ticket holders. F1 Experiences also holds a pit lane walk on Thursday evening as part of extended trackside activities for selected guests (F1 Live Ticket Packages). From Friday to Sunday, guests in the F1 Paddock Club can take part in pit lane walks at selected times (see the schedule below).
Friday
- 10:10-10:50: F1 Academy – First Practice Session
- 11:00-12:00: Paddock Club – Track Tour & Pit Lane Walk
- 12:30-13:30: Formula 1 – Free Practice 1 (FP1)
- 14:00-14:45: Porsche Supercup – Practice Session
- 14:55-15:40: Paddock Club – Track Tour & Pit Lane Walk
- 16:00-17:00: Formula 1 – Free Practice 2 (FP2)
- 17:30-18:10: F1 Academy – Second Practice Session
- 18:20-19:20: Paddock Club – Track Tour & Pit Lane Walk
- 19:20-20:50: F1 Experiences – Pit Lane Walk, Track Tour & Trophy Photo
Saturday
- 10:25-10:55: F1 Academy – Qualifying Session
- 11:30-12:30: Formula 1 – Free Practice 3 (FP3)
- 13:00-13:30: Porsche Supercup – Qualifying Session
- 13:40-14:35: Paddock Club – Track Tour & Pit Lane Walk
- 15:00-16:00: Formula 1 – Qualifying
- 17:05-17:40: F1 Academy – First Race (17 Laps, or 30 minutes + 1 Lap)
- 17:50-18:50: Paddock Club – Track Tour & Pit Lane Walk
- 18:50-20:20: F1 Experiences Champions Club – Grid Walk & Trophy Photo
Sunday
- 10:40-11:15: F1 Academy – Second Race (17 Laps, or 30 minutes + 1 Lap)
- 11:55-12:30: Porsche Supercup – Race (17 Laps, or 30 minutes + 1 Lap)
- 12:40-13:55 Paddock Club – Track Tour & Pit Lane Walk
- 13:00-13:30: Drivers’ Parade
- 14:44-14:46: National Anthem
- 15:00-17:00: Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix 2026 (72 Laps or 120 minutes)
Dutch GP Fan Zone
The main F1 Fanzone at Circuit Zandvoort is located behind the final corner – see map above. It’s also very close to Gate 2, the main entry point for fans arriving from the train station in Zandvoort. As well as lots of food and drink outlets and all the usual interactive displays and merchandise stalls, there is also a large ferris wheel offering panoramic views of the circuit and beach.
Super Friday & Fan Zone Events
The first day of on-track action at the Dutch Grand Prix is known as “Super Friday”. Zandvoort attracts a much larger attendance on Friday than at many other races, and the organizers offer additional trackside events, in addition to the first two F1 practice sessions and support categories on track. Anyone with a valid Friday ticket to the Dutch Grand Prix can attend the Super Friday events in the fan zone.
In 2025, Super Friday began with an “Official F1 Opening Show” with DJ Paul Elstak on the main stage in the fan zone and appearances from F1 drivers, on-track stunt shows and a performance from Dutch band Kensington. The day finished with a 90s Closing Party. Additional concerts are also held in the fan zone on Saturday and Sunday, alongside Q&A sessions for the F1 drivers. The acts performing are almost exclusively Dutch.
Martin Garrix to Headline 2026 Dutch Grand Prix
It’s been confirmed that Dutch superstar DJ Martin Garrix will be headlining the finale of the Dutch Grand Prix in 2026. Learn more here.
Food & Drink at the Dutch Grand Prix
There is a good selection of food on offer at Circuit Zandvoort, though the queues at peak times can be lengthy. As well as usual circuit fare like fries, sandwiches, hot dogs, fish and chips and burgers, the organizers also brought in specialist food trucks serving pizzas, Mexican and Asian cuisine. Drinks are priced at €5.25 for a large Heineken beer and €3.25 for mineral water and soft drinks. Free drinking water stations are also located around the fan areas. Please note that the Dutch Grand Prix is a cashless event. You can pay for food, drinks and merchandise with your debit or credit card.
Prohibited Items at the Dutch Grand Prix
Click here to read the House Rules for the Dutch Grand Prix. General rules and prohibited items are listed below. Unless you have special dietary requirements, it is not allowed to bring in any food or drinks to the circuit. Fans are allowed to bring one empty 500ml bottle of water, which can be refilled at free drinking stations around the circuit grounds. Please note that storage lockers are not available at Circuit Zandvoort. Cameras with detachable lenses are NOT allowed. Umbrellas are also not allowed, so bring a rain jacket or poncho if showers are forecast.
General Rules & Prohibited Items at the 2025 Dutch Grand Prix (TBC for 2026)
- Access only to assigned standing or seating area with a valid ticket
- Re-entry is not allowed
- No violence, aggression, or discrimination
- No fireworks (flares, banging and decorative fireworks)
- No violence, aggression or discrimination
- No weapons or dangerous objects
- No drugs
- Drink alcohol responsibly
- No self-brought food or drinks, including alcoholic beverages. One empty water bottle of 0.5L per person is allowed.
- No lockers available on or around the event site
- No bags larger than A4 size and thicker than 10 cm
- No selfie sticks, drones, or professional camera/recording equipment. Please note: only cameras without detachable lenses are allowed.
- No folding chairs, umbrellas, parasols, or stools
Important rules & prohibited items are listed below. Visit the promoter site for the full list.
Can you bring your own food to the Dutch Grand Prix?
Not last year. The full terms and conditions have not yet been update for 2022, but here’s what the 2021 terms and conditions stated: Bringing your own food and/or drinks into the Event premises is prohibited.
Does anyone know if you have to show any evidence of covid vaccination status this year when entering? If so, is the NHS covid pass acceptable?
I’ve not seen anything about the need to show COVID vaccination certificated at Zandvoort. It’s not been a thing really for all the races since Miami! Have your NHS covid pass on you just to be sure, but I don’t think you will need to show it
Amazing thank you Andrew! Put my mind at ease!
Can you visit the track on Thursday?
Sorry I’m not aware of activities at the track on Thursday for general ticket holders
How do you listen to the live track commentary? Is there a radio frequency or app?
I don’t know of any radio station playing F1 commentary at Zandvoort. Alternatively, the paid version of the F1 app has live timing and live commentary, you just have to hope that you can get good internet signal to make it work – or Wifi. Which is never guaranteed when so many people are all using their devices around you
Where is the best place to sit for general admission 1 ticket holders? Thanks
Honestly, I think you will have to walk around and find out for yourself. Sorry, but the track has changed a lot in the past few years and GA wasn’t open last year. In 2019, I did walk around the whole circuit and there’s some great views from the sand hills looking down on the track. It just depends how many other fans will be there, and whether you can get yourself a good view
Is there somewhere to experience a bit of the atmosphere without a ticket? Somewhere to see the rece next to the track? Thanks.
Sorry I only just saw this message. I don’t think it’s worth trying to see anything from outside the track, but I do think it’s worth hanging out in the town of Zandvoort for the atmosphere
Hi anyone know what the view is from the hairpin 2 is like I am on the second row not sure which part seat number is 176.
Thanks in advance.
I will be driving from the UK as then going onto Monza the following week where is the nearest I can get to the track to use transport.
Thanks
Margaret
The Hairpin 1/2 grandstands are not the best at Zandvoort, but the price reflects this. I sat in Hairpin 2 in 2021 for a while. Here’s some photos. Hairpin 2, Hairpin 2. Make sure you wear some good shoes, as the Hairpin Grandstands are a little bit of a walk from the entrance gates and fanzone areas.
Not sure where you are staying for the Dutch Grand Prix, but you cannot drive anywhere near the circuit on race weekend due to an exclusion zone. You can learn more in this post.
I have a hairpin ticket. Will the circuit be opened on thursday?
I’m not sure about Thursday. I think there was a pit lane walk last year on Thursday, but not sure if it was open to all ticketholders.
Where will the Fan Zone be located and what activities will be included?
Hi Amy, the location of the Fanzone is described in this article and it’s listed on the map. As well as food, drink and merchandise stalls, you always have various displays in the Fanzone and some interactive games.
Do all ticket holders have access to the fanzone?
Yes!
Is there a schedule of events for the fanzone stage?
Not yet. Normally the schedules for entertainment/fanzone don’t get released until much closer to the race, normally in the week before
Will there be a Meet the Drivers, like interviews on podium?
Not sure. But if it does happen, it won’t be announced until much closer to the race.
Hello. My wife and I are going to Zandvoort now in August. we will be staying in amsterdam. Do you have any tips for transport to and from the track?
Dzien Dobry! The best way to get from Amsterdam to Zandvoort is to take the train. It takes about 30 minutes, then another 20-30 minutes walk to the track. More information in this post: https://gpdestinations.com/getting-there-around-dutch-grand-prix/
Are you allowed to take water bottles into.thr circuit?
No food or drink allowed. We have updated this page, please read again. Check the house rules here
Hey!
We went to Spa this year, and being able to bring drinks, food and a camping chair was really nice. Not being able to even bring drinks, in this heat at the moment, is just an absurdity… I hope the cues won’t be too long…
Do you know if it’s possible to bring a Powerbank?
Yes it is crazy, though the forecast shows cooler conditions and rain for most of the weekend. Yes, you can bring a powerbank.
Are backpacks allowed?
Looks like no, unless it’s very small.
From the list of prohibited items:
– Bags larger than A4 size and thicker than 10 cm (bags for personal medical items will receive a
bag tag and undergo inspection).
What alcohol is served apart from lager?
Hi! I’m looking into the pit straight F1 experience. I see that apparently the pit walk is on thursday, is it worth it? I’m worried about spending that much money and then realizing that the pits are actually closed and I will not be able to see the teams and cars. Thank you!
Assume you are talking about the F1 Experiences Live | Pit Straight package? Having attended this race for three out of the last four years working with F1 Experiences, I can tell you that the pits will almost certainly be open, good chance some teams will be doing pit stop practice as well. The live event on the track is also really good.
If you are bringing a small child can you enter with a diaper bag that is larger than A4? Also, for strollers it does not explicitly say on the “House Rules” about no strollers. Some blogs say “No strollers”, others do not mention if they are allowed. If they are NOT allowed is there a place to store strollers outside of the circuit?
Just wondering if I can take a power bank
yes, no problem
Do I need a proof of a special dietary requirement?