Melbourne will once again roar to life as the world watches on, with the Formula 1® Australian Grand Prix locked in as the season opener for the 2026 calendar – racing into town from Thursday 5 March to Sunday 8 March,
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos today confirmed the 2026 dates, following a record-breaking 2025 event that saw a total estimated attendance of more than 465,000 fans across four days – smashing previous records and cementing Melbourne as the natural home of the first Formula 1 race of the season.
The 2025 race day crowd reached more than 130,000 with huge attendances across every day of the event, demonstrating Victoria’s unmatched enthusiasm for world-class sport and major events.
Having the season opener in Melbourne is a major win for Victoria – ensuring global attention, delivering a boost to local businesses, and reinforcing our position as a leader on the international sporting stage.
The 2025 Grand Prix also thrilled fans with performances from home-grown talent Oscar Piastri and Jack Doohan, as well as a spectacular entertainment line-up, fan festivals, and full-capacity crowds that lit up the city.
With the event secured in Melbourne until 2037, the Grand Prix continues to be a significant economic driver – filling hotels, restaurants and bars across the state, while backing local jobs and businesses.
Australian Grand Prix Corporation CEO Travis All said that the on-sale dates for the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix 2026 will be announced in coming weeks.
“There is something special about being the first race of the season, and we’re looking forward to sharing that with hundreds of thousands of fans once again in 2026,” he said.
