Following action packed races in recent seasons, expectations are always high as Formula 1 heads to Baku. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of attending the 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend on September 13-15!
- The 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix is set to take place on September 13-15
- This post will be fully updated for 2024 6-8 weeks before the 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend. Information below relates to the 2023 event and should be used for reference only
- This post contains affiliate links. We may receive a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links
Formula 1 first headed to the oil-rich country of Azerbaijan in 2016 and, despite a nondescript first race, the event has become a fan favourite in recent seasons thanks to some chaotic Sunday afternoon races. The track has seen six different winners from the seven races held so far.
In 2023, there’s even more action on offer at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix thanks to the addition of a Saturday sprint race. Baku City Circuit plays host to the first of six sprint events in the 2023 season – meaning there’s an additional Saturday race to look forward to.
Check out all Baku has to offer
The 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend presents the perfect opportunity to check out all that the historic city has to offer. Baku is bursting with culture, and with both ancient and modern sectors, there’s plenty to take in all around the local area. At the track itself, head to the Blue Fan Zone to learn more about Azeri history and culture.
With Baku City Circuit being located in the heart of Baku, you’re likely to be able to walk to the track each day for the on-track action. If not, you can find all the information you need about Baku’s public transport and other ways to get around the city in our guide to travelling in Azerbaijan.
Heading to Azerbaijan for the first time? All the essential travel information you need is in Travel Basics.
Growing attendance figures at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix is one of few which did not publicly declare its weekend attendance figure in 2022. The event has generally been the least attended of any race on the calendar since joining the schedule in 2016. That can actually work out as a perk of attending the race, as there are therefore fewer queues and less overcrowding in Baku than at better-attended races.
The last known attendance figure at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix is 85,000, over the 2019 race weekend. Formula 1 in general has seen a boost in attendance figures across every race in recent yearsand though they did not release an exact attendance figure, race organisers said that they had a record figure and declared themselves “very pleased with the ticket sales”.
If you’re yet to secure tickets for the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, a wide range of grandstand and 3-day general admission passes remain available in our ticket shop. Ticket packages from F1 Experiences – Formula 1’s official ticket partner – are also available. These packages offer insider access, including access to premium hospitality in the Paddock Club, guided paddock tours and pit lane walks plus exclusive Q&A sessions with famous faces from the world of Formula 1.
How much will I spend on a trip to the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix?
Though the Azerbaijan Grand Prix is one of the cheapest to attend for those travelling from afar, the event is the most expensive in relative terms for the local residents, for whom tickets cost over 65% of the average monthly wage. This is another factor in the relatively low attendance figures.
In 2019, international visitors accounted for almost a quarter of all ticket sales at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Average ticket prices at the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix work out at $380 – the ninth cheapest of the 23 races on this year’s calendar. General Admission tickets are the seventh cheapest of the year, while grandstand seats are competitively priced compared to other races on the calendar.
We estimate that the average fan will spend $1,010 USD on a trip to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, including accommodation, grandstand tickets and daily spending money.
Check out our Budget Planner for the lowdown on what you can expect to spend on a trip to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix!
On track at the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Unlike most other European races, the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix does not benefit from a packed support bill. Formula 2 will be the only support race in Baku in 2023, with the Sprint Race on Saturday morning and the Feature Race taking place ahead of the Grand Prix on Sunday.
The good news is that those attending the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix will be the first to witness Formula 1’s sprint format in 2023. The revised format means that the weekend timetable looks slightly different to previous years, with the traditional qualifying hour taking place on Friday and the sprint race (which decides the grid for Sunday’s Grand Prix) taking place on Saturday.
Session times and further information about the trackside experience can be found in our Trackside guide to the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. More practical information is covered on the official Azerbaijan Grand Prix website.
Off track at the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
The fan zones will be a hive of activity over the weekend, with family friendly activities, E-Sports simulators, merchandise stalls and pit stop challenges. More information about fan zone activities can be found here.
The pit lane walk will return in 2023. The pit lane walk is open to all 3-day ticket holders and takes place on Thursday from 16:30-18:00. Check out an interactive map of Baku City Circuit for access gates, metro stops and other points of interest. The popular F1 driver autograph sessions also return this year, taking place on Friday and Saturday around lunchtime. The exact times for the appearances of the drivers from each team is listed in the event schedule.
Trackside concerts return at the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
For the first time since 2019, trackside concerts will be held at the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Dutch DJs Don Diablo and Hardwell have been announced as the headline acts at the event. The concerts start at 22:00 on Friday night (Don Diablo) and Saturday night (Hardwell).
In a change to previous years, the concerts will no longer take place at Baku’s Crystal Hall. They will instead take place on a new main stage in the F1 Fan Zone, located in the Seaside Boulevard area. While no other headliners have been announced, it’s likely that other local acts will perform on stage over the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
My apartment block is inside the circuit. What provision is made to get to the gate I need to use
Sorry Jennifer, I think you should ask your apartment owner or contact the circuit directly.