Trackside guide to Circuit Zandvoort for F1 fans attending the 2025 Dutch Grand Prix. Information about entrance, race schedule, fan zone, concerts & more.
- The 2025 Dutch Grand Prix is scheduled for August 29-31. Tickets are now on sale
- F1 Experiences Ticket Packages are also recommended at Zandvoort
- Connect with fellow fans & get advice in our Dutch Grand Prix Facebook group
- This post contains affiliate links. We may receive a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links
After an absence of 36 years, the Dutch Grand Prix finally returned to the Formula 1 calendar at Circuit Zandvoort in 2021. The event has been a resounding success s with full grandstands of mainly local fans. It certainly helps that local hero Max Verstappen has won all three races at Zandvoort since it returned to the calendar!
Zandvoort is a historic circuit that has benefitted from significant investment associated with the return of the Dutch Grand Prix, but is limited by its compact size and location in the protected sand dunes next to the North Sea. This means that spectator areas can get very congested at peak times during race weekend. The good news is that the crowds are generally moving, if very slowly at times. The organizersโ have also put in place a well-executed mobility plan that encourages fans to arrive at the circuit by bicycle or public transport, and has banned most vehicles from local roads near the circuit on race weekend. Overall, the Dutch Grand Prix is one of the most well organized races on the current F1 calendar.
The first two races back for Zandvoort in 2021 and 2022 saw warm and sunny weather, but 2023 was a different story, with significant amounts of rainfall across the weekend. This made for a very exciting race, but itโs something to consider if you want to attend. Being prepared for such weather at Zandvoort is essential.
Circuit Zandvoort: Good to Know
- Race App: Download the Dutch GP app, where you can add your e-tickets and have easy access to the circuit map, event schedule & more
- Circuit Opening Times: The circuit gates were open from 08:00-21:00 on all three days during last year’s Dutch GP. (TBC for 2025)
- Entrance Gates: Three entrance gates provide access to Circuit Zandvoort – see the circuit map above. Please note that with the exception of fans staying in the 538 Dutch Grand Prix Village (official campsite for the race), there are NO PASSOUTS or re-entry at the Dutch Grand Prix. See below for recommended entrance gates depending on your ticket type. Prohibited items are also listed below.
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Which Entrance Gate Should I Use at Circuit Zandvoort?
- Gate 1: VIP Zone, General Admission 1, Tarzan-In Grandstands, Pit Grandstand, Main Grandstand, Ben Pon Grandstand
- Gate 2: VIP Zone, Fanzone, General Admission 2, Arena-Out Grandstand, Arena Grandstands, Arena-In Grandstand, Eastside Grandstands, Champions Club by F1 Experiences (If you are taking the train to Zandvoort, Gate 2 is the closest entry point.)
- Gate 4: General Admission 1, Eastside Grandstands, Hairpin Grandstands
Which Items are Prohibited at the Dutch Grand Prix?
Click here to read the House Rules at the 2024 Dutch Grand Prix. General rules and prohibited items are listed below. Unless you have special dietary requirements, it is not allowed to bring in any food or drinks to the circuit. Fans are allowed to bring one empty 500ml bottle of water, which can be refilled at free drinking stations around the circuit grounds. Please note that storage lockers are not available at Circuit Zandvoort. Cameras with detachable lenses are NOT allowed. Umbrellas are also not allowed, so bring a rain jacket or poncho if showers are forecast.
General Rules & Prohibited Items at the 2025 Dutch Grand Prix
Entrance rules for 2025 have not yet been announced. 2024 info is displayed below.
- No fireworks (flares, banging and decorative fireworks)
- We drink alcohol responsibly
- Re-entry is not allowed
- No violence, aggression, or discrimination
- No weapons or dangerous objects
- No self-brought (alcoholic) drinks and food. Bringing an empty 0.5L water bottle per person is allowed.
- No drugs
- No selfie sticks, drones, or professional camera/recording equipment. Note: only cameras without detachable lenses are permitted.
- No folding chairs, umbrellas, parasols, or stools
- No bags larger than A4 size and thicker than 10 cm
2025 Dutch Grand Prix Schedule
- On-Track Schedule: The full timetable for on-track action at the 2025 Dutch Grand Prix will not be confirmed until approx. 4-6 weeks before the race. In the meantime, 2024 times are listed below for information purposes.
- Support Categories: Porsche Supercup and F1 Academy are the confirmed support categories so far for the 2025 Dutch GP. Formula 2 and Formula 3 will not be racing at Zandvoort in 2025.
- Pit Lane Walks: The promoter holds a pit lane walk on Thursday afternoon for selected guests. F1 Experiences conducts a pit lane walk as part of extended trackside activities for selected guests (F1 Live Ticket Packages) on Thursday. From Friday to Sunday, guests in the F1 Paddock Club can take part in pit lane walks at selected times (see the schedule below).
Friday
- 10:10-10:50: F1 Academy – First Practice Session
- 11:00-12:00: Paddock Club – Track Tour & Pit Lane Walk
- 12:30-13:30: Formula 1 – Free Practice 1 (FP1)
- 14:00-14:45: Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup – Practice Session
- 14:55-15:40: Paddock Club – Track Tour & Pit Lane Walk
- 16:00-17:00: Formula 1 – Free Practice 2 (FP2)
- 17:30-18:10: F1 Academy – Second Practice Session
- 18:20-19:20: Paddock Club – Track Tour & Pit Lane Walk
- 19:20-20:20: F1 Experiences Pit Lane Walk
Saturday
- 10:15-10:45: F1 Academy – Qualifying Session
- 11:30-12:30: Formula 1 – Free Practice 3 (FP3)
- 13:00-13:30: Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup – Qualifying Session
- 13:40-14:35: Paddock Club – Track Tour & Pit Lane Walk
- 13:40-14:10: Porsche Demonstration
- 15:00-16:00: Formula 1 – Qualifying
- 17:05-17:40: F1 Academy – First Race (17 laps or 30 minutes + 1 lap)
- 17:50-18:50: Paddock Club – Track Tour & Pit Lane Walk
- 18:50-20:20: F1 Experiences Champions Club – Grid Walk & Trophy Photo
Sunday
- 10:40-11:15: F1 Academy – Second Race (17 laps or 30 minutes + 1 lap)
- 11:55-12:30: Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup – Race (17 laps or 30 minutes)
- 12:40-13:55: Paddock Club – Track Tour & Pit Lane Walk
- 13:00-13:30: F1 Drivers’ Parade
- 14:46-14:48: National Anthem
- 15:00-17:00: Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix 2024 (72 Laps or 120 minutes)
Dutch GP Fanzone
The main F1 Fanzone at Circuit Zandvoort is located behind the final corner – see map above. It’s also very close to Gate 2, the main entry point for fans arriving from the train station in Zandvoort. As well as lots of food and drink outlets and all the usual interactive displays and merchandise stalls, there is also a large ferris wheel offering panoramic views of the circuit and beach.
Super Friday
The first day of on-track action at the Dutch Grand Prix is known as “Super Friday”. Zandvoort attracts a much larger attendance on Friday than at many other races, and the organizers normally a big day of events (in addition to the first two F1 practice sessions and support categories on track).
In 2024, Super Friday began with an “Official F1 Opening Show” on the main stage in the fan zone with appearances from the drivers of Red Bull Racing, Aston Martin, Sauber, McLaren and VISA Cash App RB and a performance from Dutch artist Snollebollekes.
The day finished with a performance by Dutch superstar DJ, Armin Van Buuren and the band, DI-RECT. Anyone with a valid Friday ticket to the Dutch Grand Prix can attend the Super Friday events in the fan zone. Learn more here.
Additional Concerts on Saturday & Sunday
After qualifying on Saturday evening in 2024, there were also performances in the fan zone by La Fuente, Django Wagner, Davina Michelle, and Marco Schuitmaker.
On race day, Kris Kross Amsterdam, Tino Martin, and Hans Klok performed as part of the pre-race show on the starting grid, which also includes ‘the largest flag activation in Dutch sports history.’ Learn more about the pre-race show.
After the race, Joรซl Borelli, Flemming, Tino Martin, and Kris Kross Amsterdam performed on the stage in the fan zone.
Food & Drink at the Dutch Grand Prix
There is a good selection of food on offer at Circuit Zandvoort, though the queues at peak times can be lengthy. As well as usual circuit fare like fries, sandwiches, hot dogs, fish and chips and burgers, the organizers also brought in specialist food trucks serving pizzas, Mexican and Asian cuisine. Drinks are priced at โฌ5.25 for a large Heineken beer and โฌ3.25 for mineral water and soft drinks. Free drinking water stations are also located around the fan areas. Please note that the Dutch Grand Prix is a cashless event. You can pay for food, drinks and merchandise with your debit or credit card.
Can you bring your own food to the Dutch Grand Prix?
Not last year. The full terms and conditions have not yet been update for 2022, but here’s what the 2021 terms and conditions stated: Bringing your own food and/or drinks into the Event premises is prohibited.
Does anyone know if you have to show any evidence of covid vaccination status this year when entering? If so, is the NHS covid pass acceptable?
I’ve not seen anything about the need to show COVID vaccination certificated at Zandvoort. It’s not been a thing really for all the races since Miami! Have your NHS covid pass on you just to be sure, but I don’t think you will need to show it
Amazing thank you Andrew! Put my mind at ease!
Can you visit the track on Thursday?
Sorry I’m not aware of activities at the track on Thursday for general ticket holders
How do you listen to the live track commentary? Is there a radio frequency or app?
I don’t know of any radio station playing F1 commentary at Zandvoort. Alternatively, the paid version of the F1 app has live timing and live commentary, you just have to hope that you can get good internet signal to make it work – or Wifi. Which is never guaranteed when so many people are all using their devices around you
Where is the best place to sit for general admission 1 ticket holders? Thanks
Honestly, I think you will have to walk around and find out for yourself. Sorry, but the track has changed a lot in the past few years and GA wasn’t open last year. In 2019, I did walk around the whole circuit and there’s some great views from the sand hills looking down on the track. It just depends how many other fans will be there, and whether you can get yourself a good view
Is there somewhere to experience a bit of the atmosphere without a ticket? Somewhere to see the rece next to the track? Thanks.
Sorry I only just saw this message. I don’t think it’s worth trying to see anything from outside the track, but I do think it’s worth hanging out in the town of Zandvoort for the atmosphere
Hi anyone know what the view is from the hairpin 2 is like I am on the second row not sure which part seat number is 176.
Thanks in advance.
I will be driving from the UK as then going onto Monza the following week where is the nearest I can get to the track to use transport.
Thanks
Margaret
The Hairpin 1/2 grandstands are not the best at Zandvoort, but the price reflects this. I sat in Hairpin 2 in 2021 for a while. Here’s some photos. Hairpin 2, Hairpin 2. Make sure you wear some good shoes, as the Hairpin Grandstands are a little bit of a walk from the entrance gates and fanzone areas.
Not sure where you are staying for the Dutch Grand Prix, but you cannot drive anywhere near the circuit on race weekend due to an exclusion zone. You can learn more in this post.
I have a hairpin ticket. Will the circuit be opened on thursday?
I’m not sure about Thursday. I think there was a pit lane walk last year on Thursday, but not sure if it was open to all ticketholders.
Where will the Fan Zone be located and what activities will be included?
Hi Amy, the location of the Fanzone is described in this article and it’s listed on the map. As well as food, drink and merchandise stalls, you always have various displays in the Fanzone and some interactive games.
Do all ticket holders have access to the fanzone?
Yes!
Is there a schedule of events for the fanzone stage?
Not yet. Normally the schedules for entertainment/fanzone don’t get released until much closer to the race, normally in the week before
Will there be a Meet the Drivers, like interviews on podium?
Not sure. But if it does happen, it won’t be announced until much closer to the race.
Hello. My wife and I are going to Zandvoort now in August. we will be staying in amsterdam. Do you have any tips for transport to and from the track?
Dzien Dobry! The best way to get from Amsterdam to Zandvoort is to take the train. It takes about 30 minutes, then another 20-30 minutes walk to the track. More information in this post: https://f1destinations.com/getting-there-around-dutch-grand-prix/
Are you allowed to take water bottles into.thr circuit?
No food or drink allowed. We have updated this page, please read again. Check the house rules here
Hey!
We went to Spa this year, and being able to bring drinks, food and a camping chair was really nice. Not being able to even bring drinks, in this heat at the moment, is just an absurdity… I hope the cues won’t be too long…
Do you know if it’s possible to bring a Powerbank?
Yes it is crazy, though the forecast shows cooler conditions and rain for most of the weekend. Yes, you can bring a powerbank.
Are backpacks allowed?
Looks like no, unless it’s very small.
From the list of prohibited items:
– Bags larger than A4 size and thicker than 10 cm (bags for personal medical items will receive a
bag tag and undergo inspection).
What alcohol is served apart from lager?