Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix

The Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix opens the 2027 season at Bahrain International Circuit, in the Sakhir desert in the south of the main island. formula1.com lists the weekend as Friday 12 to Sunday 14 March 2027, and it is a Sprint weekend (a short extra race on Saturday, on top of Sunday's Grand Prix): one practice session and Sprint Qualifying (a short session that sets the starting order for the Sprint) on Friday, the Sprint and Grand Prix qualifying on Saturday, and the race on Sunday. 2027 session times are TBC. The circuit says it is the first time it has hosted a Sprint, and that pre-season testing also takes place there, from 24 to 27 February 2027.

The track has hosted Formula 1 since 2004, when it became the first circuit in the Middle East on the calendar. It is 5.412 km long and the race runs under floodlights; formula1.com picks out the downhill, off-camber Turn 10 and the fast Turn 12, and says wind and big temperature swings between sessions make life hard for the teams. The 2026 race didn't happen in Sakhir: Formula 1 cancelled the April date because of the situation in the Middle East, and the Bahrain Grand Prix was later run at Sepang in Malaysia.

As a trip, Bahrain is small and compact. Most visitors stay in or around Manama, the capital, and travel out to Sakhir by car or taxi; Bahrain International Airport is on Muharraq, next to Manama. The circuit hasn't published its 2027 transport plan yet, so check its site nearer the race.

Read the FCDO notice at the top of this page before you book: the UK government doesn't advise against travel to Bahrain, but it warns of regional tensions and possible flight disruption, and in April 2026 the airspace and the causeway to Saudi Arabia closed at the same time.

• The season opener: round 1 of the 2027 calendar, and the first chance to see the 2027 cars race.
• A first Sprint at Sakhir: racing on all three days, according to the circuit.
• A night race in the desert: formula1.com notes the floodlights and the tricky downhill Turn 10.
• Five grandstands: the Main Grandstand over the start, finish and pit lane, Turn 1, Beyon (over the inner part of the track), University (Turns 2 and 3) and Victory (the final two corners).
• Karting next door: formula1.com points out that the Bahrain International Karting Circuit is right next to the track.

• Manama: the capital has by far the most hotels, restaurants and nightlife, and it is close to the airport. You'll need a car or taxi to reach Sakhir on race days.
• Bahrain Bay and Seef: Manama's waterfront districts, with large hotels and malls; same road trip to the circuit as the rest of the city.
• Muharraq: the island with the airport and the old town; handy for early flights, further from the circuit than central Manama.

The circuit's 2027 race page doesn't mention accommodation, and there's no official advice on when hotels fill up.

From the UK: fly to Bahrain International Airport (BAH). The airport's route map lists direct routes to London Heathrow (LHR) and London Gatwick (LGW). Metered taxis (Bahrain Taxi and Arabian Taxi) wait at the arrivals curb around the clock, and Careem and Uber have a meeting point next to Gate 1 at arrivals. British citizens need a visa, which GOV.UK says you can get online in advance, from the Bahrain Embassy in the UK, or on arrival; your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after you arrive.

On race days: Bahrain International Circuit hasn't published its 2027 transport and parking plan yet. In 2025 only cars with the right car pass were allowed near the circuit or into its car parks; ticket holders without one could park at the Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club, with shuttle buses to the circuit every 10 minutes through the weekend. Treat that as a guide only until the 2027 details are out. There's no rail line to Sakhir, so plan on a car, taxi or ride-hailing app.

For the country, see our Bahrain guide.

Flight delayed or cancelled on the way? See our Travel Disruption guide for your rights.

Tickets are sold by the circuit on bahraingp.com; when checked, all five grandstands were on sale for the three-day weekend, with early-bird prices for a limited time. Formula 1's own ticketing site also lists the race.

The 2027 ticket terms say tickets are non-transferable and not for resale except through the promoter's Authorised Agents, and you may be refused entry with a ticket bought anywhere else. Tickets are non-refundable unless the event is cancelled, and the promoter says it won't reimburse travel, accommodation or visa costs if the race is cancelled, postponed or changed, so check your travel insurance. No re-entry is allowed after the end of each day.

Plan for disruption: the 2026 race was cancelled at short notice and moved. Choose flexible flights and rooms where you can, and read the FCDO advice again before you go.

What you can't bring: the 2027 terms ban bottles, cans and glass; drones, selfie sticks, laser devices and walkie-talkies; air horns, vuvuzelas, whistles, flares and fireworks; bicycles, scooters, skateboards, roller-skates and prams; and items of a political or religious nature. Bags are searched at the gates.

Noise, sun and heat: the promoter advises hearing protection, especially for children, and warns that some areas are in direct sun and heat: bring sun, eye and ear protection and drink plenty of water. The race runs under floodlights, and formula1.com notes big temperature swings between sessions, so a layer for the evening is sensible.

Photos: phones and cameras are fine for personal use; recording for commercial use isn't allowed.

Getting there and back: the circuit is a drive from Manama, so agree how you're getting home before the evening race finishes.

Bahrain International Circuit hasn't published accessibility information for the 2027 race (accessible grandstands, parking or companion tickets). Ask before you buy through the circuit's contact page, which has a sales department, or by phone via the call-back option on its site.

Bahrain International Airport has a Special Assistance service for arriving passengers.

The FCDO doesn't advise against travel to Bahrain, but warns that the situation in the Middle East is unpredictable, with a high risk of sudden escalation, and that British nationals should be prepared for flight cancellations, airspace closures and travel disruption. It notes that in April 2026 the airspace and the King Fahd Causeway to Saudi Arabia closed at the same time. It advises following local authorities' advice, signing up for FCDO travel advice email alerts and keeping your departure plans under review. The FCDO also says terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Bahrain, and asks visitors to be aware of their surroundings, particularly during high-profile events.

• Before you go, read the UK government's FCDO travel advice for Bahrain (entry requirements, safety and local laws).
• Flight delayed or cancelled on the way? See our Travel Disruption guide for your rights and live alerts.