Formula 1 has unveiled its 24-race calendar for the 2026 season, with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne retaining its position as the championship opener on 8 March.
The schedule introduces significant changes as the sport prepares for sweeping new technical regulations and a shift to 100 per cent sustainable fuel.
Madrid will make its debut as the new Spanish Grand Prix host, whilst the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola has been dropped from the calendar.
In a notable reshuffle, the Monaco and Canadian races have swapped dates, with Montreal now scheduled for late May and Monaco moving to early June.
The Monaco Grand Prix has been moved to early June, swapping with Montreal
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The 2026 season marks a transformative period for the sport, with the arrival of automotive giants Audi, Cadillac and Ford to the grid.
The timing of Ramadan prevents Bahrain from hosting the opening round, with the race moving to mid-April alongside Saudi Arabia.
Australia's March date fulfils the second of five contracted season openers through to 2037.
The reorganised calendar improves geographical efficiency, with the Canadian Grand Prix following Miami in a May slot, allowing equipment to move directly between North American venues.
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The Australian Grand Prix will open the schedule for the second year running
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This creates an uninterrupted European summer beginning with Monaco on 7 June.
Madrid's September event will conclude the European leg, though the new circuit around the IFEMA exhibition centre remains subject to FIA homologation.
The Spanish Grand Prix at Barcelona will run alongside Madrid in what is expected to be Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya's final year.
Only two triple-headers feature on the calendar, both closing out the season with races in Austin, Mexico City and São Paulo followed by Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
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The shift to 100 per cent advanced sustainable fuels underscores Formula 1's environmental commitments whilst maintaining the sport's performance standards.
Audi's long-anticipated entry joins newcomers Cadillac and Ford, demonstrates the increase in automotive industry confidence in Formula 1's future and direction.
The 24-event calendar represents the maximum permitted under the Concorde Agreement without requiring unanimous team approval.
Stefano Domenicali, Formula 1's President and CEO, expressed enthusiasm for the transformative season ahead.
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Formula 1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali said '2026 will be a new era'
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He said: "2026 will be a new era for Formula 1 where we will witness a brand-new set of regulations for our sport, the cars and the engines that will be powered by 100% sustainable fuel.
"We are excited to welcome Madrid to the calendar, and to see huge automotive brands like Audi, Cadillac and Ford join the Formula 1 grid."
He described it as "an unforgettable season" where the sport would gather at "24 amazing global venues to watch the best drivers in the world push themselves to the limit and produce incredible wheel to wheel racing for our millions of fans watching around the globe."
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem emphasised the championship's evolution and global reach.
"Next year's FIA Formula One World Championship marks a significant new chapter for our sport," he stated.
"A new race, new teams, and the arrival of new manufacturers, all ushering in a fresh era of innovation and competition.
"With 24 Grands Prix across five continents, the season truly reflects the global nature of our community, while the improved geographical flow of the calendar shows our joint commitment to making the championship more efficient and sustainable."
The season concludes with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix from 4-6 December, capping a campaign that visits five continents.
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