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The Qatar News Agency reported on September 16 2026 that Lusail International Circuit has confirmed its place on the 2027 Formula 1 calendar with the Qatar Grand Prix set for December 3 to 5. Organizers indicated the event will operate as round 23 and incorporate the sprint format for a second day of competitive racing ahead of the main grand prix. This late-season positioning comes as the championship enters its decisive phase with significant points available for both drivers and constructors.
A 10-year agreement between Formula 1 and Qatari authorities first secured the race from 2023 onward following its debut appearance in 2021. The FIA calendar lists the Qatar event immediately after Las Vegas and before the Abu Dhabi finale allowing title contenders to compete under the circuit’s floodlights. Circuit officials noted the venue’s lighting system originally installed for MotoGP night races enhances the spectacle for evening sessions.
Lusail International Circuit measures 5.419 kilometres in length and features 16 corners that demand precision from drivers according to specifications published on the Honda Global Corporate Website. The track first opened in 2004 at a cost of 58 million U.S. dollars and holds FIA Grade 1 certification with a capacity of 52,000 spectators. It skipped the 2022 Formula 1 season due to Qatar’s hosting of the FIFA World Cup but has since become a fixture in the Middle East segment of the calendar.
The venue has welcomed Max Verstappen to the top step of the podium in each of the last three Qatar Grands Prix from 2023 through 2025 according to race records maintained by Formula 1. It also stages the Qatar MotoGP round annually since 2004 and joined the FIA World Endurance Championship calendar with the Qatar 1812 km event. This combination places Lusail among a small group of circuits equipped to manage all three premier global motorsport series.
Formula 1’s 2027 schedule comprises 24 races following adjustments that removed the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian grands prix amid regional developments the FIA confirmed in its calendar announcement. Qatar’s consistent inclusion reflects sustained investment in motorsport infrastructure and aligns with the sport’s broader growth strategy across the Middle East. Preparations at the circuit will include resurfacing reviews and facility upgrades to meet updated regulatory standards for the new generation of cars running on sustainable fuels.
Tickets for grandstand seating general admission and hospitality packages are expected to become available in the coming months mirroring the sales process used for the 2026 event which drew capacity crowds. The Lusail International Circuit operator has previously highlighted the economic benefits of hosting such events through tourism and local business engagement. Fans can anticipate multiple support series including Formula 2 running alongside the main Formula 1 programme over the December weekend.
