Formula 1 visits Yas Marina Circuit for the final round of the 2024 season. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of attending the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend on December 6-8!
- The 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is set to take place on December 6-8
- This post will be fully updated for 2024 6-8 weeks before the 2024 Abu Dhabi 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
In 2021, Formula 1 headed to Yas Marina Circuit for an eagerly anticipated final race championship showdown between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. Since then, Verstappen has claimed three title victories, wrapping up both the 2022 and 2023 championships well in advance of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The title race may already be over ahead of the final race weekend of the Formula 1 season but there’s still lots to look forward to at the 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Night racing in Abu Dhabi
Formula 1 first visited Abu Dhabi in 2009. The unique race, which starts just before sunset and ends under floodlights, has established itself as the now traditional last race of the season. Six drivers have previously won the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, including current drivers Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Valtteri Bottas.
Unusually for the final race of the season, there are no drivers bidding farewell to Formula 1 after the 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Although Logan Sargeant’s place at Williams in 2024 is yet to be confirmed, all 20 current drivers are expected to remain with their current teams for next season.
From experiencing the area’s luxurious lifestyle, to browsing the massive shopping malls and even camel racing, we’ve rounded up the best places to visit on your Abu Dhabi Grand Prix trip in Off-Track Activities.
Heading to Yas Marina for the first time? All the essential travel information you need is in Travel Basics.
2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Tickets Selling Fast
After tickets for the 2022 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix sold out in record time, ticket sales for the 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix appear to have been more steady. Race organisers say that tickets are “selling fast”, so you should grab your tickets as soon as possible if you haven’t already done so to avoid disappointment.
A selection of 3-day and single day 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix tickets are currently available in our ticket shop, as are a number of VIP hospitality packages.
Weekend attendances in recent years at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix have been above 150,000, with 153,000 attending in 2021 and 160,000 in 2022. The figure is still some way off peak attendances in 2016 and 2017, when the Abu Dhabi race attracted close to 200,000 spectators over the three-day event.
How Much Will I Spend at the 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix?
Based on the average price of 3-day grandstand tickets, Abu Dhabi was the most expensive race to attend during the 2019 season, ahead of Mexico and Monaco. The cheapest 3-day grandstand tickets were almost $150 more expensive than any other race on the calendar, aside from Monaco.
Fast forward four years to 2023 and the 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is the seventh most expensive race to attend this season. It’s now behind the aforementioned Mexico and Monaco races, plus the British Grand Prix and all three of Formula 1’s races in the United States.
We estimate that the average fan will spend around $1,800 USD on a trip to the 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, including 3-day grandstand seats, a 3-night stay in a local hotel, plus daily spending money. Check out our Budget Planner for the lowdown on what you can expect to spend on a trip to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Trackside at the 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
There will be plenty of on-track action during the race weekend. As well as the usual Formula 1 sessions, there are also two Formula 4 UAE races plus two Formula 2 races, with the latter series celebrating the last round of its 2023 season.
The latest Formula 2 champion will be decided over the 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend, with three drivers still in the title hunt. Alfa Romeo junior Théo Pourchaire leads the way, sitting 25 points ahead of Frederik Vesti in the standings. Red Bull junior driver Ayumu Iwasa has an outside chance of winning the title.
Usually, a public pit-lane walk takes place on Thursday, as well as a team and driver Q&A in the F1 Fanzone behind the Main Grandstand. Details are not yet confirmed for 2023. This year, there’ll also be demonstration laps from an historic car which will be auctioned off as part of a special Bonhams’ Auction. You can find all the vital information about watching the race, including session times, on our updated Trackside page.
In addition to plentiful ATMs, the circuit introduced a new cashless trackside payment option in 2019 called ‘Yas Pay’. Find more information here. Be sure to make the most of your weekend by downloading the YasHub app. Note that you are not allowed to bring food and drink into the circuit. Some of the Marina area is accessible to the public, where you’ll find bars and restaurants.
Looking for information on accessing the circuit over the race weekend? You can find detailed guidance on the best drop off points for each grandstand, plus details of shuttle services here.
2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix concerts
As always at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the end of the season will be celebrated in style with four headline concerts across the weekend. In 2023, Foo Fighters, Shania Twain, Chris Brown, Ava Max and Tiësto will headline the Yasalam After-Race Concerts. Golden circle upgrades for this year’s concerts are still available. These ticket upgrades give you priority access to the concerts, as well as the best seats in the house.
The concerts take place at Etihad Park, a mainly outdoor concert venue situated between the North Grandstand and Ferrari World (which is not to be confused with Etihad Arena, a different enclosed concert venue south of the circuit).
You can find helpful information on accessing the circuit and information on collection points for after the concerts here. You will need your F1 e-ticket to access the post-race concerts!
