Follow the finale as it unfolds
Abu Dhabi closes the official season calendar. Practice starts on Friday, qualifying takes place on Saturday and the race is scheduled for Sunday 6 December. Being the final round does not necessarily make it the title decider: that will depend on the championship as race day approaches.
Attending all three days lets you follow the weekend’s progression, from the first setup work to the search for a qualifying lap and the race itself. For a committed fan, time at the circuit may be more rewarding than a crowded schedule of off-track engagements.
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Choose the view that matters to you
The Main Grandstand overlooks the start-finish straight. A seat elsewhere provides a different perspective on the racing. Before choosing a category, decide which part of the action you want to follow, then check the map, exact location and included days.
With hospitality, the view tells only part of the story. Seating, access to different spaces, food and entry arrangements all need to be compared in the offer itself. The right option should suit how you want to experience the race, whether as a couple, with friends or while hosting business guests.
Yasalam brings another dimension to the evenings
The announced line-up includes Lewis Capaldi and Zara Larsson on Thursday 3 December, Alex Warren on Friday 4 December, Imagine Dragons on Saturday 5 December, and The Chainsmokers and The Script on Sunday 6 December. At the time of our review, a second Friday artist remains to be announced. The After-Race Concerts are scheduled at Etihad Live, formerly Etihad Park.
The organiser restricts general admission to Grand Prix ticket holders. Golden Circle is a separate upgrade, with conditions to check for the chosen concert. Another event is offered separately: Andrea Bocelli is scheduled at Etihad Arena on Wednesday 2 December. It is a good reason to look beyond race day before setting your arrival date.
Build the stay around your priorities
Start with the day and experience that matter most to you. Arrival, accommodation, transfers and the time between racing and concerts can then be planned around that choice. If you are staying in Dubai, treat both journeys as part of the itinerary, with a clear meeting point and enough flexibility for conditions on the day.
A late dinner, a concert and a journey back to another city need to work together. Leaving room in the schedule is more useful than collecting reservations that cannot comfortably fit. For an evening aboard a yacht in the marina, request written details of the berth, actual track view and included access; these need to be checked for the specific offer.
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Abu Dhabi offers the opportunity to bring several experiences together around one race. The best stay need not be the busiest. It should leave you time to enjoy the moments you have chosen.
To discuss your stay, share your dates, group size and preferred experience with ABJ. Options and their conditions will need to be confirmed before booking.
Explore ABJ concierge services · Discuss your stayOfficial sources
Sources checked on 16 October 2026.
Formula 1 — Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2026Formula 1 — 2026 calendarEthara — Programme, 3–6 December 2026Ethara — Lewis Capaldi & Zara LarssonEthara — Alex Warren, Friday 4 DecemberEthara — Imagine DragonsEthara — The Chainsmokers & The ScriptAbu Dhabi GP — Yasalam 2026