Formula 1
F1 2026 Calendar Changes: Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Sepang
The removed April rounds, Bahrain’s return at Sepang and the current 23-round calendar, with practical checks for race travel.
Calendar changes affect more than a race ticket. They can alter the airport, accommodation and transfer plan for an entire trip. Use the current schedule alongside the original announcement and distinguish a removed date from a race later restored at another venue.
The April rounds were removed
The original plan placed Bahrain at Sakhir on 10–12 April and Saudi Arabia at Jeddah on 17–19 April. Formula 1 and the FIA announced that neither would take place in April because of the situation in the Middle East. The gap between Japan and Miami replaced that part of the original schedule.
Use the current official calendar as the booking reference. An old season-launch calendar still showing those April events is not a reliable booking reference.
Bahrain returned at Sepang
The updated schedule lists the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia at Sepang on 2–4 October 2026. It keeps the Bahrain event name while changing the host location.
That distinction matters when searching for transport or accommodation: a hotel near the Bahrain International Circuit is not a hotel for the Malaysian venue. Read the circuit and host city in the booking rather than relying on the Grand Prix name alone.
The Singapore connection
Singapore follows on 9–11 October 2026. A two-race trip requires its own flight or road-transfer plan, immigration checks and accommodation at both stops. Do not treat a short scheduled flight as the full travel time: include the journey from each circuit, airport check-in and the onward transfer.
For the second weekend, use our Singapore session guide and accommodation-area guide. Grand Circle's own rooftop gathering is planned for 2027, separately from these 2026 races.
Qatar and Abu Dhabi
The calendar checked for this revision lists Qatar on 27–29 November and Abu Dhabi on 4–6 December 2026. Earlier discussion of contingency venues did not itself change a race booking. Use a dated official announcement to establish any subsequent change.
Read cancellation and rescheduling terms for race tickets, flights and hotels independently. One supplier's policy does not determine another's.
Before paying for race travel
- Check the edition, dates and circuit on the current official schedule.
- Confirm the ticket seller is an authorised route for that event.
- Match accommodation to the actual venue and access route.
- Keep confirmation documents and cancellation deadlines together.
- Recheck the organiser's schedule before departure.
Our full 2026 calendar provides the round-by-round reference. It is a 2026 record; a later season needs its own confirmed dates.
Sources and further reading
Frequently asked questions
Which April races did not take place?
The Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix did not take place in their original April slots.
Where did Bahrain return to the calendar?
The current schedule lists the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia at Sepang on 2–4 October 2026.
How many rounds are on the revised schedule?
The current 2026 calendar lists 23 rounds.
Are Qatar and Abu Dhabi still listed?
Yes, the calendar checked for this revision lists Qatar on 27–29 November and Abu Dhabi on 4–6 December 2026. Recheck before booking.
