A Quick Austrian Grand Prix Race Guide

Arguably the most picturesque race on the F1 calendar thanks to its location, the Austrian Grand Prix is here! This race takes place in the “Green Heart” of Austria, with the track tucked into the rolling Styrian mountains with scenic views in all directions.

I’ve been to Red Bull Ring myself, and the location is hard to beat!

The Austrian Grand Prix itself is generally a favorite for fans to attend, and the track is small but mighty, with elevation changes, fast corners, and chances for overtaking.

Here’s your mini Austrian Grand Prix race guide, including all you need to know about tickets, where to sit, the fan experience, what you can bring to the track, and more.

Quick race guide to the Austrian GP

Here’s everything you need to know if you’re headed to the Austrian Grand Prix this year, or are interested in traveling to the Austrian F1 race one day in the future.

Official race name

Officially, this is the FORMULA 1 LENOVO AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX.

When is it?

The Austrian GP takes place June 26-28, 2026 (local time). The schedule is:

June 26: Practice 1, Practice 2
June 27: Practice 3, Qualifying
June 7: Race

Race location

The Austrian GP takes place just outside the small town of Spielberg at the Red Bull Ring. The circuit is 4.236 km (2.688 miles) long, featuring elevation changes and fast corners as it winds through the alpine foothills of the Styrian countryside. Drivers race 71 laps here.

Red Bull Ring as it stands today has actually only been around since 2011 (and hosting F1 races since 2014) after Red Bull’s Dietrich Mateschitz bought the circuit in the early 2000s. Before that, it was the A1-ring (host of the Austrian Grand Prix from 1997-2003) and before that it was the Osterreichring, which hosted F1 races from 1970-1988.

So, in some form or another, Formula 1 has been racing in Styria for more than 5 decades — and Red Bull Ring is confirmed on the calendar currently through 2041!

Getting to the track

Red Bull Ring is located a couple of miles outside the small town of Spielberg, Austria. Accommodations are limited in Spielberg (there are only a few hotels and B&Bs to choose from), and so many fans choose to either camp near the circuit or stay in the larger city of Graz, which is about one hour away.

Free parking is available at Red Bull Ring for all ticket holders, so self-driving is an option for race weekend (though of course allow extra time for traffic!). You can also take the train from Graz to the nearby town of Knittelfeld (55 minutes; book in advance), and then take a short, free shuttle bus to Red Bull Ring.

Another option is booking a paid shuttle bus that will take you directly to Red Bull Ring from cities like Vienna, Salzburg, and more, which is a good option if you’ll be spending time in other parts of Austria before or after race weekend. More info on bus options here.

Austrian GP ticket options

I always recommend checking ticket options through the host circuit first. For the Austrian GP, check out:

Redbullring.com for general admission, grandstand tickets, and track hospitality suites/packages.
F1 Experiences for speciality hospitality packages, including suite, rooftop, terrace, and yacht viewing.

Tickets for the Austrian Grand Prix usually go on sale about 9 months in advance. Hospitality packages/suites can sell out early due to limited quantity, and grandstand tickets for the main race may also sell out closer to the race dates.

For the Austrian Grand Prix, single-day tickets are available, as well as 2-day and 3-day ticket packages. Red Bull Ring is also offering a “3 Corner Hopping” weekend ticket package this year, where you’ll sit in a different grandstand each day.

Best place(s) to sit

At the Austrian Grand Prix, you can choose from “standing room” (general admission) tickets, grandstand tickets and various hospitality ticket packages such as suites, clubs, and lounges.

Red Bull Ring’s Standing Room tickets get you access to the large grassy GA area on a hill between Turns 3 and 4 with really good views, as well as access to the whole circuit, Fan Zone, etc. General admission here is a pretty good ticket.

When it comes to grandstand seating, the Nord Grandstand (covered!) offers some of the best views as the cars come around Turn 4 and head downhill. Steiermark Grandstand is another excellent place to sit, offering views of Turn 1. And the Red Bull Grandstand (the largest at the circuit) is also a good bet, especially if you get a seat higher up where you can see a good portion of the track.

Important note: Most of the grandstands at Red Bull Ring are uncovered, so be sure to bring really good sun protection with you!

The fan experience

Unlike some Grand Prix races held in urban areas, there is no city nightlife to feed into the energy of the Austrian GP. That doesn’t mean a boring fan experience, though. Far from it!

There are two fan zones at Red Bull Ring — the official F1 Fan Zone, and Styria Village — and where you can shop for merch, enjoy various dining options, and listen to live concerts and other entertainment. There are other special events like air performances from the Flying Bulls, and driver Q&A sessions planned on the main Fan Zone stage.

As previously mentioned, many fans camp at Red Bull Ring, and the campgrounds can be a fun, social place to hang out during race weekend.

Also, Red Bull Ring offers a pit lane walk on the Thursday before race weekend. This requires a separate Pit Lane Walk add-on ticket, which do tend to sell out quickly.

Where to see drivers

There will be driver appearances on Friday and Saturday on the main Fan Zone stage.

Another good place to try to spot drivers and maybe get photos and autographs is on the “Styrian Green Carpet,” or the special walkway that all drivers use to walk into the circuit on Race Day. The Green Carpet is set up on Sunday morning in front of the Welcome Center at Red Bull Ring. It IS possible to get photos and autographs here, though you’ll need to be lined up at the gates before they open at 7 a.m. and then RUN to the carpet.

This year, the Styrian Green Carpet is set to take place from 9-11 a.m. on Sunday, but double-check the timing in the Red Bull Ring app!

What you can/can’t bring

Knowing what you’re allowed to bring to the race and what’s prohibited is important when planning your Austrian GP weekend! Here’s a quick overview of what you can and can’t bring to Red Bull Ring.

Things you CANNOT bring to the Austrian GP:

Weapons of any kind
Alcohol of any kind
Glass or any other breakable bottles
Thermoses/bottles larger than 1.5 liters
Barbecues, cookers and other appliances for preparing food
Coolers
Laser pointers of all kinds
Drones
Camera tripods and selfie sticks (prohibited in grandstands only)
Fireworks, smoke bombs, etc.
Umbrellas in the grandstands
Beach shells, tents, pagodas or similar structures
Bikes, skateboards, electric scooters, etc.
Baby strollers
Animals
Large bags or suitcases in the grandstands
Offensive signs or clothing

Things you CAN bring with you:

Cold food and snacks for personal consumption
Non-alcoholic beverages in permitted containers (plastic bottles, standard beverage cans, and thermos bottles (like Stanley Cups) up to a maximum of 1.5 liters)
Power banks not larger than a mobile phone
Cameras and video cameras for private use and NOT for commercial purposes
Binoculars
Walking aids
Compact umbrellas in the standing-room area only
Folding chairs in the standing area only

Track invasion info

There’s usually an unofficial track invasion at Red Bull Ring after the Austrian Grand Prix, but it’s not sanctioned by the event and there won’t always be accessible entrances onto the track for fans.

Other race weekend events

During race days, ticket holders get access to the two fan zones at Red Bull Ring that offer entertainment and activities including live DJs and concerts.

Since the Austrian GP is held at a track in such a rural location, however, there’s not much going on in the nearby small town of Spielberg.

What else to do in Austria

If you’re traveling for the Austrian Grand Prix and will be visiting the surrounding Styrian region during your trip, here are 5 things you can do while you’re not at the track:

Explore the UNESCO-listed Old Town of Graz (the capital of Styria)
Visit Arnold Schwarzenegger’s childhood home in Graz
Relax at the Aqualux Thermal Resort in nearby Fohnsdorf, just 10 minutes from Red Bull Ring
Go hiking in the Styria region for beautiful alpine views
Go wine tasting in Styria, an underrated wine region in Europe

Have you ever been to the Austrian Grand Prix? If so, what tips would you give people who are going?