The 2026 Formula 1 season finishes on Yas Island. A four-day ticket also gets you into the after-race concerts, with Kings of Leon, Jennifer Lopez, Imagine Dragons and The Chainsmokers among the headliners. Below are the session times, ticket advice and which ticket covers which concert.
Quick answer: The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2026 is on 3 to 6 December at Yas Marina Circuit, with F1 on track from Friday 4 December. Qualifying is at 6pm on Saturday and the race starts at 5pm on Sunday 6 December (UAE time). Tickets include the after-race concerts at Etihad Live for the days they cover, with general admission from AED 745 and grandstands from AED 1,895 (official prices on 6 November 2026). Buy through the official Abu Dhabi Grand Prix website, Ticketmaster UAE or an authorised seller.
| Key fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Race weekend | Thursday 3 to Sunday 6 December 2026 (F1 sessions Friday to Sunday) |
| Race start | Sunday 6 December, 5pm UAE time |
| Venue | Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi |
| Grandstand tickets | General admission from AED 745; grandstands from AED 1,895 (6 November 2026) |
| After-race concerts | Thursday 3 to Sunday 6 December, Etihad Live, for Grand Prix ticket holders |
| Public holiday | National Day, usually 2 and 3 December (2026 dates not yet announced) |
| Official tickets | abudhabigp.com |
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2026 dates and session times
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is round 23 of 23 on the 2026 Formula 1 calendar, so it's the last race of the year. All times below are UAE time.
| Day | Session | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Friday 4 December | Practice 1 | 1.30pm to 2.30pm |
| Friday 4 December | Practice 2 | 5pm to 6pm |
| Saturday 5 December | Practice 3 | 2.30pm to 3.30pm |
| Saturday 5 December | Qualifying | 6pm to 7pm |
| Sunday 6 December | Race | 5pm |
The race starts in daylight and finishes under the floodlights, which is what makes Yas Marina different. If you can only go on one day, Saturday is a strong choice: you get final practice, qualifying under the lights and Imagine Dragons afterwards. Sunday is the one everyone wants, so expect the biggest crowds and the slowest exit.
Tickets: what they cost and what's included
These were the starting prices on the official ticket page on 6 November 2026. Each “from” price is the cheapest option for that area, so tickets for more days cost more, and prices can change.
| Ticket | Starting price |
|---|---|
| General admission, one day (includes that night’s concert) | AED 745 |
| North Straight Grandstand | AED 1,895 |
| Marina Grandstand | AED 1,995 |
| South Grandstand | AED 2,095 |
| South Club | AED 3,095 |
| Main Grandstand | AED 5,500 |
| Premium hospitality | AED 9,795 |
Every race ticket includes general admission to the after-race concerts on the days it covers, so a four-day ticket gets you into all four. There are no F1 sessions on Thursday, so the on-track action starts on Friday.
Availability changes as the race gets closer, so check the official ticket page for the grandstands and hospitality packages still on sale before you plan the weekend around a particular seat.
A few things worth knowing before you pay:
- Buy from an official seller. That means the official Abu Dhabi Grand Prix website, Ticketmaster UAE, an authorised seller, or the sales desks at Yas Mall and Yas Central. Avoid unverified resale listings, as tickets from other sources may not be accepted.
- Download the Abu Dhabi GP app. It holds your race and concert tickets, upgrades and extras. Log in with the same email address you used to buy your tickets, and use the Abu Dhabi GP app, not the Ticketmaster app. Screenshots and printouts aren't accepted at the gates.
- Kids Go Free Friday is full. The official site says all places for this year's free children's Friday have been taken, so budget for children's tickets if you want them there.
- A three- or four-day ticket works off the track too. It includes a day at a Yas Island theme park or teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, plus entry to Louvre Abu Dhabi, Qasr Al Watan, Zayed National Museum and the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi. One-day and two-day tickets don’t include these.
After-race concerts 2026: the full line-up
The after-race concerts are part of Yasalam, the festival that runs alongside the race, and they're only open to Grand Prix ticket holders. They're held at Etihad Live, the open-air venue next to the circuit.
| Night | Artists |
|---|---|
| Thursday 3 December | Kings of Leon and Lewis Capaldi |
| Friday 4 December | Jennifer Lopez and Alex Warren |
| Saturday 5 December | Imagine Dragons |
| Sunday 6 December | The Chainsmokers and The Script |
If you've seen older posters with Zara Larsson on Thursday, they're out of date. Organisers said in late October that she can no longer perform, and Kings of Leon took her place.
Concert entry is general admission, first come, first served, through gates 3, 4 or 5. Each concert has its own barcode in the Abu Dhabi GP app, so show that one, not your race ticket. For a spot near the stage, the Golden Circle upgrade guarantees entry, gets you closest to the stage and includes fast-track entry. You can buy it with your Grand Prix ticket or add it later in the app.
Separately ticketed: Bocelli and the official after-party
Two Yasalam events aren't included in your race ticket:
- Andrea Bocelli opens the week on Wednesday 2 December at Etihad Arena, as part of Yasalam Classics.
- Anyma presents ÆDEN is the official after-party at Yas Gateway Park on Friday 4 December.
There are also DJ sets from Black Coffee, CamelPhat and Shimza at 16/360, a new venue at the circuit, which needs its own ticket too.
The National Day long weekend
National Day falls on Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December under UAE law. The government confirms each year's holiday dates nearer the time, and can move them. Take Friday 4 December off and you have five days in a row, Wednesday to Sunday. That's enough for Bocelli on Wednesday, Kings of Leon and Lewis Capaldi on Thursday, then the full race weekend.
It's also one of the busiest weeks of the year in Abu Dhabi, so book any hotel early. If you're driving from Dubai, staying over on the Saturday night saves you a late drive after the concert.
Before you go
- Tickets are in the app only. Race tickets, concert barcodes and upgrades are shown in the Abu Dhabi GP app; screenshots and printouts aren't accepted.
- No outside food or drink. Baby food is allowed, and so is food you need for medical reasons if you bring a prescription or doctor's letter.
- Leave these at home: umbrellas (unless bought at the circuit), bottles, cans and flasks (refillable water containers are fine), chairs and stools, video cameras and GoPros, and cameras with lenses longer than 30 cm.
- Alcohol is only sold to over-21s with photo ID.
The full list of prohibited items is in the official FAQ.
Getting to Yas Marina Circuit
The official site says free circular shuttles run around Yas Island during the event (the Wayfinding section of the Abu Dhabi GP app shows your nearest stop), and taxis can drop you at Etihad Live. Full parking details for 2026 haven't been published yet; at the 2025 race, Yas Mall was the main place to park. It's likely to be similar, but check the Abu Dhabi GP app in the week before the race for this year's routes and times, including any service from Dubai.
Our advice, whichever day you go: arrive early, eat before the concert rather than after, and don't plan on a quick getaway after the race. Most of the crowd leaves Yas Island at the same time on Sunday night.
Which ticket suits you
| If you want… | Consider |
|---|---|
| The race itself, on one day | A ticket that includes Sunday 6 December |
| Qualifying and a big concert | A ticket that includes Saturday 5 December (qualifying, then Imagine Dragons) |
| The cheapest way in | One-day general admission, which includes that night's concert |
| The whole weekend | A three- or four-day grandstand ticket, which also includes the free attractions |
| Premium hospitality | An official hospitality package from the ticket page |
Whichever you choose, check which days and concerts your ticket covers before you pay.
Planning more weekends out? Our guide to things to do in Dubai in November 2026 covers the rest of this month. And if a weekend on the island has you thinking about a move, have a look at our homes to rent and homes for sale across Dubai.
Thursday 3 to Sunday 6 December 2026 at Yas Marina Circuit, with F1 on track from Friday 4 December. The race starts at 5pm UAE time on Sunday 6 December.
On 6 November 2026, general admission started from AED 745, grandstands from AED 1,895 and premium hospitality from AED 9,795. Prices and availability change, so check the official ticket page before you book.
Kings of Leon and Lewis Capaldi on Thursday 3 December, Jennifer Lopez and Alex Warren on Friday, Imagine Dragons on Saturday and The Chainsmokers and The Script on Sunday 6 December.
Not for the after-race concerts: they're for Grand Prix ticket holders. Andrea Bocelli on 2 December, the Anyma after-party on 4 December and the 16/360 DJ sets are sold separately.
Almost. National Day falls on Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 December, and the race weekend runs from Thursday 3 December. The official 2026 holiday dates haven't been announced yet.
Yes. One-day general admission tickets started from AED 745 on 6 November 2026 and include that night's after-race concert. Check the official ticket page for which days are still available.
The after-race concerts are only for Grand Prix ticket holders. The cheapest way in is a one-day general admission ticket, which includes that night's concert.
Parking details for 2026 haven't been published yet. At the 2025 race, Yas Mall was the main place to park, and free shuttles run around Yas Island during the event. The Wayfinding section of the Abu Dhabi GP app shows your nearest stop.
Sources
- Formula 1: 2026 calendar
- Formula 1: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2026 schedule
- Formula 1: Kings of Leon complete line-up for Abu Dhabi GP
- Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: official website
- Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: 2026 tickets
- Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: FAQ
- Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: ticket inclusions
- UAE Government: public holidays
- The National: Kings of Leon replace Zara Larsson
- Gulf News: UAE National Day holidays 2026
Information checked on 6 November 2026
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