A Quick Chinese Grand Prix Race Guide

After a few years of not running, we’re back to having the Chinese Grand Prix on the Formula 1 calendar! The Chinese GP is often one of the more affordable ones on the F1 circuit, though popular with fans in Asia — meaning tickets sell out fast!

Here’s your mini Chinese 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 Chinese GP

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

Official race name

Officially, this is the FORMULA 1 HEINEKEN CHINESE GRAND PRIX.

When is it?

The Chinese GP takes place March 13-15, 2026. And it’s a Sprint Race weekend this year! The schedule is:

March 13: Practice 1, Sprint Qualifying
March 14: Sprint Race, Qualifying
March 15: Race Day

Race location

The Chinese GP takes place in Shanghai at the Shanghai International Circuit. This is a 5.451-kilometer (3.39-mile) long circuit on the outskirts of Shanghai in China. The circuit is a permanent, purpose-built track (designed by Hermann Tilke), and drivers race 56 laps here in F1.

Formula 1 has raced here since 2004, when the circuit first opened.

Getting to the track

Located northwest of the city center, the best way to get to Shanghai International Circuit is by metro. The track has its own metro stop on Line 11 (towards Huaqiao), and it takes about 60 minutes from the city center. The circuit metro stop is just a few minutes’ walk from Gate 1 behind Grandstand A.

Other options for getting to the circuit include using a taxi/ride share, or self-driving. If you want to drive yourself, you’ll take the A11 motorway and follow the signs for the Shanghai International Circuit. Parking is plentiful at the circuit, and you don’t need a reservation — but expect lots of arrival/departure traffic.

Shanghai International Circuit highly recommends using the metro to arrive and depart!

Chinese GP ticket options

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

Shanghai Circuit website for general admission tickets, grandstand tickets, and track hospitality suites/packages.
F1 Experiences for Champions Club, Paddock Club, and other specialty hospitality packages.

Note that tickets for this race don’t go on sale super far in advance; usually only about 3 months in advance (for the 2026 race in mid-March, tickets went on sale in mid-December 2025). And when they do go on sale, they tend to sell out pretty quickly! You might have to look at ticket resellers; I trust P1 Travel.

It’s also worth noting that they only sell 3-day race tickets to the Chinese GP, so you won’t find any single-day tickets.

Note: This race requires name verification with a valid passport and facial recognition for entry, meaning your ticket will be tied to your passport number AND you’ll need to bring your passport to the race with you. (Legally you’re supposed to have your passport on you at all times in China anyway.)

Best place(s) to sit

Like all Formula 1 races, there are 3 major types of tickets available for the Chinese Grand Prix. There are general admission tickets, grandstand tickets, and then various hospitality ticket packages (think: suites, clubs, etc.).

The “best” place to sit at any race is always subjective. But, a few suggestions include:

For general admission seating, you might see good racing action from the GA area at the hairpin at Turn 14-15, and also from the GA area near Turn 6. (And it’s important to know that your GA ticket will only grant you access to ONE viewing zone, so be sure to buy for the one you most want.)

For grandstand seating, Grandstand A (the main grandstand) is always a good bet, with Low, High, and Platinum areas. In the High and Platinum areas of Grandstand A, you’ll actually have a view of roughly 80% of the track! Grandstand K is also universally agreed to be great, as it overlooks the Turn 14-15 hairpin (the best spot for overtakes!), has a big screen view, and is close to the Fan Zone.

The fan experience

The Shanghai International Circuit is a modern and fan-focused circuit, and the fan experience here is pretty solid!

The official F1 Fan Zone is set up behind Grandstand A, and is where you’ll find race simulators, sponsor activations, food vendors, merch stands, and more.

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 Chinese GP weekend!

Things you CANNOT bring to the Chinese GP include:

Food or drink of your own (including alcohol)
Drugs or any other illegal substance
Weapons, firearms, knives, etc.
Flares, fireworks, and laser pointers
Large backpacks
Umbrellas (one site says long-handled umbrellas, another just says “umbrellas,” so maybe pack a rain poncho just to be safe)
Drones
Professional filming or photography equipment
Whistles, air horns, PA devices, etc.
Chairs, stools, or other types of seating devices
Skateboards, roller blades, hoverboards, scooters, bikes
Animals except service animals
Strollers

Things you CAN bring with you:

Your tickets and passport
Picnic blankets/rugs

Track invasion info

There is no track invasion at the Chinese Grand Prix; fans are not permitted on the track after the race.

So if you want to ensure you can see the podium ceremony and celebrations after the race, you’ll want to get a seat somewhere in Grandstand A!

Other race weekend events

Along with all the things happening during race weekend — including all the support races (there’s an F1 Academy race in China this year! — you’ll want to keep an eye out for other team- and sponsor-related events around Shanghai.

In both 2024 and 2025, the city put on the “Chequered Flag Carnival” at the North Bund International Passenger Center Cruise Terminal. The fan fest ran for 8 days in 2025. No word yet on whether it’s returning in 2026 though.

What else to do in Shanghai

If you’re traveling for the Chinese Grand Prix and will have some extra time in Shanghai during your trip, here are 5 things you can do while you’re not at the track:

Stroll along the Bund, a waterfront promenade lined with architectural marvels.
Go shopping (or just window-shop) on bustling Nanjing Road.
Escape the hustle and bustle of the city in Yuyuan Garden.
Take in the views from the Oriental Pearl Tower observation deck.
Try local foods on Wujiang Road Food Street, Qi Bao Old Street, or Chenghuangmiao Old Street.

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