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Officially Cancelled · 14 March 2026

The 2026 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Is Not HappeningOriginally scheduled 17–19 April 2026 · Jeddah Corniche Circuit

Updated · By GrandPrixPal Editorial

2027 session times are not published yet — race start estimated by GrandPrixPal (checked )

Formula 1 confirmed the cancellation on 14 March 2026 — 33 days before race day. Announced alongside the call-off of Bahrain's April date, it left the 2026 calendar without a race in Saudi Arabia. Here is everything ticket holders and fans need to know.

Announcement · 14 March 2026

Jeddah Was Next. It Went the Same Way.

Saudi Arabia was due one week after Bahrain. Both April dates were called off together in the same official statement, citing the same force majeure grounds. Bahrain was later relocated to Malaysia; Saudi Arabia was not.

Race day at Jeddah had been set for 19 April. Stefano Domenicali: "While this was a difficult decision to take, it is unfortunately the right one at this stage considering the current situation in the Middle East."

33

days before race day

Force Majeure · Security

The Fastest Street Circuit in F1 Is a Casualty of Regional War

Jeddah Corniche Circuit — averaging over 250 km/h in qualifying — sits on the Red Sea coast in a country directly affected by the Gulf security situation. After Iranian retaliatory strikes across the region following the events of 28 February 2026, the FIA and Formula 1 determined that hosting the race was not viable.

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem: "The FIA will always place the safety and wellbeing of our community and colleagues first." Force majeure — not contract breach — is the legal basis for the cancellation.

Action Required · Ticket Holders

Jeddah Ticket Holders: What We Know About Refunds So Far

Unlike Bahrain, where BIC quickly confirmed two clear options (refund or rollover), the Saudi race organisers have not yet published full refund details at the time of writing. Here is what we know:

Check Your Email

Saudi Motorsport Company is expected to contact ticket holders directly. Monitor your inbox and spam folder.

Third-Party Sellers

If you bought through a third-party reseller, contact them directly. Their refund timelines may differ from official channels.

Travel Insurance

Claims can reference the official Formula 1 cancellation announcement dated 14 March 2026 as the triggering event.

Season Impact · 2026 Calendar

F1's April Gulf Races Were Called Off

Bahrain and Saudi Arabia were both April races. Saudi Arabia was cancelled; Bahrain moved to Sepang International Circuit in October as round 16. The 2026 season ran 23 rounds, with a five-week break between the Japanese GP and Miami.

🇯🇵 Japanese GP29 Mar
🇧🇭 Bahrain GP at Sakhir12 Apr · moved to Sepang, Oct 2–4
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabian GP19 Apr · cancelled
🇺🇸 Miami GP3 May

Contract Status · Long Term

Saudi Arabia's F1 Contract Runs to 2030 — This Isn't the End

The Saudi Motorsport Company holds a hosting agreement with Formula 1 through 2030. The force majeure cancellation does not void this contract — both sides retain their rights and obligations under the agreement.

Saudi Arabia's F1 ambitions are tied to Vision 2030, the country's national diversification strategy. The race is a flagship element of that programme, which makes a return politically as well as commercially important.

2030

contract runs until

Looking Ahead

Jeddah Is Back: Round 2, 19–21 March 2027.

Since its debut in 2021, the Jeddah Corniche Circuit has produced some of the most dramatic racing in the modern F1 era. Its layout — 27 corners, minimal run-off, walls close at 250 km/h — is divisive, but it makes for unmissable television and a unique experience for fans who attend.

Saudi Arabia's hosting contract runs to 2030 and is embedded in Vision 2030, the country's national development strategy. Formula 1 is not just a sporting event in that context — it is a geopolitical and economic statement. That makes the race commercially and politically important to both sides.

The pause lasted one season. The FIA’s official 2027 calendar, published in September 2026, has Jeddah at round 2 on 19–21 March, the week after Bahrain opens the season. Formula 1 has done this before — Bahrain was suspended during the 2011 Arab Spring and reinstated — and 2026 turned out to be a pause, not a conclusion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2026 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix definitely cancelled?

Yes. Formula 1 officially confirmed the cancellation on 14 March 2026. The race was originally scheduled for 17–19 April 2026 at Jeddah Corniche Circuit.

How do I get a refund on my Jeddah 2026 tickets?

Saudi race organisers are working through the refund process. Official details are expected to be communicated directly to ticket holders via email. Check your inbox and the official Saudi Motorsport Company channels for updates.

Was the Saudi Arabian GP cancelled for the same reason as Bahrain's April date?

Their April dates were called off together under the same force majeure clause, due to the security situation in the Gulf region in early 2026. Saudi Arabia was cancelled outright; Bahrain was relocated and ran at Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia, on Oct 2–4 2026.

Does Saudi Arabia still have an F1 contract?

Yes. Saudi Arabia's hosting contract with Formula 1 runs until 2030, and Jeddah is confirmed as round 2 of the 2027 season on 19-21 March, a week after Bahrain opens the year. The 2026 cancellation was invoked under force majeure and did not terminate the agreement.

Is Jeddah Corniche Circuit still the fastest F1 street circuit?

Yes. Jeddah Corniche Circuit holds the record for the highest average speed of any street circuit on the F1 calendar, with drivers averaging over 250 km/h during a qualifying lap. The circuit itself hasn't changed — the 2026 race simply won't happen.

Still Planning Your 2026 Season?

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Bahrain GP 2026 →

The Gulf race that moved to Malaysia — what fans need to know

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2026 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix definitely cancelled?

Yes. Formula 1 officially confirmed the cancellation on 14 March 2026. The race was originally scheduled for 17–19 April 2026 at Jeddah Corniche Circuit.

How do I get a refund on my Jeddah 2026 tickets?

Saudi race organisers are working through the refund process. Official details are expected to be communicated directly to ticket holders. Check your email and the official Saudi Motorsport Company channels for updates.

Was the Saudi Arabian GP cancelled for the same reason as Bahrain's April date?

Their April dates were called off together under the same force majeure clause, due to the security situation in the Gulf region in early 2026. Saudi Arabia was cancelled outright; Bahrain was relocated and ran at Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia, on Oct 2–4 2026.

Does Saudi Arabia still have an F1 contract?

Yes. Saudi Arabia's hosting contract runs until 2030, and the race is already back: the FIA's official 2027 calendar has Jeddah as round 2 on 19-21 March 2027. The 2026 cancellation was invoked under force majeure and did not terminate the contract.

Is Jeddah Corniche Circuit still the fastest F1 street circuit?

Yes. Jeddah Corniche Circuit holds the record for the highest average speed of any street circuit on the F1 calendar, with drivers averaging over 250 km/h during a qualifying lap.

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