Formula 1 Announces 2026 Calendar: Imola Departs, Madrid Debuts in 24-Race Schedule

Formula 1 has officially revealed its calendar for the 2026 season, confirming a packed schedule of 24 race weekends starting in March and concluding in December. The season will commence in Melbourne, Australia, on March 8th, marking a return to the opening slot for the third consecutive year due to logistical considerations around the Ramadan period. The championship will then move to Asia for a double-header in Shanghai, China, followed by a standalone event in Suzuka, Japan. The familiar early-season stops in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia will form another double-header before the sport heads to North America. Several notable changes feature in the first half of the year. The Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal is set to move forward to May 24th, positioning it closer to the Miami Grand Prix for improved freight efficiency. However, this adjustment creates a calendar clash with the prestigious Indianapolis 500 race. Meanwhile, the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at Imola, Italy, will not feature on the 2026 schedule, as its contract was not renewed. The iconic Monaco Grand Prix will shift slightly later, taking place on the first weekend of June. Following Monaco, the calendar includes a race in Barcelona, which is listed as retaining its date for what is understood to be the final year of its current contract, though it will no longer hold the official 'Spanish Grand Prix' moniker, with that title transferring to the new event in Madrid. The second half of the season maintains many traditional venues before significant changes later in the year. After the summer break, Zandvoort hosts the Dutch Grand Prix, followed by a European double-header. This includes the Italian Grand Prix at Monza and a race in Spain, marking the debut of the new hybrid street circuit in Madrid. The season will conclude with a demanding sequence of events mirroring recent years. Six races will be held across seven weekends, featuring two triple-headers. This intense finale includes visits to Austin, Mexico City, and São Paulo, before wrapping up with races in Las Vegas, Qatar, and the season-closing event in Abu Dhabi on December 6th. Alongside the 24-race calendar, expectations are for Formula 1 to continue hosting six Sprint events throughout the season. The significant technical regulation changes for 2026 will also be supported by three planned pre-season test sessions, expected to take place in Barcelona and Bahrain, providing teams ample opportunity to adapt to the new generation of cars and power units.