Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix
جائزة طيران الخليج البحرين الكبرى للفورمولا 1
Formula 1 returns to Sakhir on 12 to 14 March 2027, opening the season and staging Bahrain's first Sprint race under floodlights.
About Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix
The Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix is held at Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir. The first race, on 4 April 2004, was the first F1 grand prix in the Middle East, won by Michael Schumacher in a Ferrari one-two. The grand prix layout is 5.412 km with 15 turns, and since 2014 the race has run at night under floodlights.
The 2027 race is on 12 to 14 March and opens the Formula 1 season. It will include a Sprint race for the first time at Sakhir, so there is competitive action on all three days. Pre-season testing is also due at the circuit from 24 to 27 February 2027. Tickets for all grandstands, including Main, Turn 1, Beyon, University and Victory, are on sale through bahraingp.com.
The 2026 race, planned for April, did not take place in Sakhir because of the regional situation. Instead the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix was staged at Sepang in Malaysia in early October 2026, drawing a sell-out crowd. Bahrain has also hosted season openers before, including 2010, and staged two races in 2020.
Race weekend suits motorsport fans, families and groups, with concerts, fan zones and support races around the main event. Expect heavy traffic into Sakhir on race days, and book hotels early as March is busy. Testing in late February offers a quieter first look at the new cars.
Watch
Highlights
- Season opener on 12 to 14 March 2027
- First F1 Sprint race in Bahrain
- Night race under floodlights
- 5.412 km grand prix circuit
- Pre-season testing 24 to 27 February 2027
- First F1 race in the Middle East, 2004
Good to know
- Buy tickets from bahraingp.com or BIC's official channels; the F1 site lists a waitlist.
- Early bird offers have run for a limited time, so prices change.
- Traffic into Sakhir builds well before sessions; allow extra time.
- Evenings can be cool in March, so bring a light layer.
Getting there
Bahrain International Circuit is in Sakhir in the south west of the island, reached by car or event shuttles where offered.
Questions people ask
When is the 2027 Bahrain Grand Prix?
The 2027 Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix runs from 12 to 14 March 2027 at Bahrain International Circuit and opens the season.
Is there a Sprint race in Bahrain in 2027?
Yes. The 2027 weekend will feature Bahrain's first ever F1 Sprint race.
Was the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix cancelled?
The race did not take place in Sakhir in 2026 because of the regional situation. It was held under the Bahrain Grand Prix name at Sepang, Malaysia, in October 2026.
How long is the Bahrain International Circuit?
The grand prix layout is 5.412 km with 15 turns.
