The 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix had a weekend attendance of 190,000 – the highest figure for the season-ending event at Yas Marina Circuit since 2017.
The curtain closed on another Formula 1 season at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where a record-breaking crowd witnessed Lando Norris take victory and secure McLaren’s first Constructors’ Championship title in 26 years.
190,000 fans entered the circuit gates over the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend, which is the largest weekend attendance at Yas Marina Circuit since 2017. The number represents a 20,000 increase on last season’s reported figure of 170,000 and a 30,000 increase on the previous year.
2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Attendance Growth
With a modest capacity, the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix ranks only 18th of the 20 Grands Prix at which 2024 race attendances have been confirmed. It sits ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix (154,973) and the Bahrain Grand Prix (100,000). The top attended race in the 2024 season was the British Grand Prix, with a total 4-day weekend attendance of 480,000.
The first race at Yas Marina Circuit 15 years ago, in 2009, attracted a weekend crowd of 150,000. Although official attendance figures for the event have not always been confirmed, the figure reached a peak of 195,000 in 2016, when Nico Rosberg was victorious in a final race title showdown with Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton. 195,000 attended again in 2017, according to official data from Formula 1.
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix attracts a large number of international visitors, with over half of the tickets for the event usually being bought by overseas fans. In 2023, it was reported that 65% of tickets were sold to international visitors.
Yas Marina Circuit has been the sole host of Formula 1’s season finale since 2014 and has hosted the curtain-closing event on 13 occasions in total – more times than any other circuit. The 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix saw the United Arab Emirates surpass the United States as the country in which the most season-ending races have been held.
In addition to the Formula 1 action at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, there were also support races from the FIA Formula 4 UAE Championship, F1 Academy and Formula 2, in which 2025 Sauber driver Gabriel Bortoleto confirmed his status as the feeder series champion. Off track, concerts were held at the nearby Etihad Park, headlined by Muse, Eminem, Maroon 5, Teddy Swims and Peggy Gou.
All Eyes on the 2025 Formula 1 Season
With the champions crowned and the chequered flag having fallen for the final time in 2024, attention now turns to next year. Another 24-race season awaits in 2025, with the racing action getting underway in under 100 days at the 2025 Australian Grand Prix. Albert Park returns to the season-opening slot for the first time since 2019.
Tickets are already available for the majority of races on next year’s calendar. The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will be the season-closing event once more in 2025, taking place on December 5-7. Tickets for the race are not yet available, though they usually go on sale before Christmas.
