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Introducing the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix
Sunday December 6 2026
What to expect in this guide
• Where is the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya?
• What’s the circuit like?
• How many days should you plan for?
• How does a race weekend work?
• Best booking resources for F1 trips
Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes
The Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix takes place at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, in Montmeló, about 20 miles (32 km) northeast of Barcelona.
The circuit has been on the Formula 1 calendar since 1991. It was my first ever Grand Prix, and I’ve been back many times since.
The layout is a strong mix of high-speed corners, slower technical sections, and long straights. The circuit was used for pre-season testing for many years, as the lap rewards good aerodynamic setup.
The Formula 1 sessions run alongside support races such as Formula 2, Formula 3, and the Porsche Supercup. The full schedule is published on F1.com about four weeks before the race.
How often does the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix run?
From 2026, the race is expected to run in even-numbered years only, rotating with another European Grand Prix through 2032. So the next planned editions are 2026, 2028, 2030, and 2032. Rotation arrangements can change, so check the current year’s calendar on F1.com before booking.
How many days should you spend at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix?
Plan for three full days, Friday to Sunday, to see every Formula 1 session and the support races.
Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix weekend schedule at a glance
A typical Formula 1 weekend runs Friday to Sunday. Friday is practice. Saturday is final practice and qualifying. Sunday is the Grand Prix.
Each year, a handful of Grand Prix follow a sprint format. On a sprint weekend, Friday includes practice and sprint qualifying. Saturday includes the sprint race and Grand Prix qualifying. Sunday is still the Grand Prix. Sprint weekends rotate around the calendar each season, so check the current year’s schedule on F1.com.
Best booking resources for F1 trips
Take a look at our Grand Prix ticket & travel packages »
Prefer to do it all yourself? You’re welcome to take what you’ve learned here and build your own trip from scratch.
I keep going back to these travel companies because they’re reliable, easy to use, and usually have the best value. They’re where I start every time I plan a trip.
Tickets
Motorsport Tickets and Grand Prix Tickets are the two agencies I’ve trusted for years. They’ve always been reliable, easy to deal with, and quick to help if something comes up.
Hotels
ZenHotels is one of my go-to sites for hotel bookings. It pulls prices from loads of smaller sites you might not know about, so it’s great for finding deals. I also check Expedia and Booking.com when I want more options.
Excursions
Viator is packed with walking tours, attraction tickets, and local experiences. It’s especially handy if you’re heading to a new Grand Prix city. It’s a great place to find extras to add to your trip.
Getting to the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix
In this guide you’ll learn about how to get to Barcelona for the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix.
Where to stay for the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix
In this guide we’ll help you choose the best place to stay during your trip to the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix.
Choosing a grandstand at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix
In this guide we’ll help you choose the right grandstand for your Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix experience.
Getting around at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix
In this guide you’ll learn about the different options for getting around during the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix.
