Circuit Zandvoort · 21–23 August 2026 · Round 12 of 22 · All times CEST (local)
The race starts at 15:00 CEST on Sunday 23 August, running 72 laps or two hours, whichever comes first. Gates open at 08:00 and close at 21:00 daily, with no re-entry. This is a Sprint weekend – the first and last ever at Zandvoort – so there is only one free practice session and competitive running begins Friday afternoon.
What the Sprint Format Changes
If you have been to Zandvoort before, the weekend is not the shape you remember.
A standard weekend has three practice sessions. This has one: FP1 on Friday lunchtime, the only non-competitive running all weekend. Sprint Qualifying sets Saturday’s Sprint grid. The Sprint pays points. Saturday’s Qualifying sets Sunday’s grid.
Three consequences:
- Friday is no longer the quiet day. It carries a competitive session, and Zandvoort’s Friday already drew bigger crowds than most circuits’.
- Saturday is the biggest day – two competitive F1 sessions and an hour more track running than Sunday.
- The support bill is F1 Academy and Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup. No F2, no F3. Returning fans often assume otherwise.
Dutch Grand Prix Full Weekend Timetable
All times local (CEST, UTC+2)
Friday 21 August – “Super Friday”
| Time | Session |
| 08:00 | Gates open (TBC) |
| 12:30 to 13:30 | Formula 1 – Free Practice 1 |
| 14:00 to 14:40 | F1 Academy – Practice |
| 16:30 to 17:14 | Formula 1 – Sprint Qualifying |
| 18:00 to 18:45 | Porsche Supercup – Practice |
| Evening | Fan zone main stage – Afrojack headlining |
| 21:00 | Gates close (TBC) |
Track running: 3h 09m, of which 1h 44m is Formula 1.
Saturday 22 August
| Time | Session |
| 08:00 | Gates open (TBC) |
| 09:20 to 09:50 | F1 Academy – Qualifying |
| 10:15 to 10:45 | Porsche Supercup – Qualifying |
| 12:00 to 13:00 | Formula 1 – Sprint (24 laps or 60 minutes) |
| 14:35 to 15:10 | F1 Academy – Race 1 |
| 16:00 to 17:00 | Formula 1 – Qualifying |
| 18:00 to 18:35 | Porsche Supercup – Race 1 |
| Evening | Fan zone main stage – La Fuente, De Jeugd van Tegenwoordig, Yves Berendse & Band |
| 21:00 | Gates close (TBC) |
Track running: 4h 10m – the most of any day.
Sunday 23 August
| Time | Session |
| 08:00 | Gates open (TBC) |
| 10:40 to 11:15 | F1 Academy – Race 2 |
| 11:55 to 12:30 | Porsche Supercup – Race 2 |
| 13:00 to 13:30 | F1 Drivers’ Parade |
| 14:44 to 14:46 | National anthem |
| 15:00 to 17:00 | FORMULA 1 HEINEKEN DUTCH GRAND PRIX – 72 laps or 120 minutes |
| After the race | Podium, then the Final Lap closing show – Martin Garrix |
| 21:00 | Gates close (TBC) |
Track running: 3h 10m.
Plan For a Thirteen-Hour Day
Gates open at 08:00 and close at 21:00, and there is no re-entry – the only exception is guests staying at the official campsite.
Guests should note that you can’t leave the circuit to grab lunch at Zandvoort town or take a break at your hotel in between the race days. Once you enter, you will have to stay inside the circuit for the full day, and outside food and drinks are not allowed.
Bags, prohibited items and what’s available inside: visitor guide.
If You Can Only Go One Day
On track action, Saturday wins. Sunday has the race and the closing show. Friday has the least running but the biggest party.
Which is the better ticket depends on price and availability too – see which ticket to choose and the tickets page.
Arriving and leaving
Be through the gates a clear hour before your first session. The walk from Gate 2 to the far grandstands is long, and entry queues build sharply from mid-morning on Saturday and Sunday.
Leaving is slower. Most vehicles are banned from local roads and the crowd funnels toward the train station. Expect a long walk after the race – longer if you stay for Garrix.
Trains, cycling, parking and routes: travel guide.
Watching from home
Race start, Sunday 23 August:
| Location | Time |
| Netherlands, Germany, France, Italy | 15:00 |
| UK, Ireland, Portugal | 14:00 |
| Brazil | 10:00 |
| US Eastern | 09:00 |
| US Pacific | 06:00 |
| India | 18:30 |
| Australia (AEST) | 23:00 |
Sky Sports F1 in the UK, with free highlights on Channel 4 on Sunday evening. Apple TV in the United States. Sky Sport F1 and NOW in Italy. Rights change, check local listings elsewhere.
Will these times change?
The on-track timetable is confirmed and unlikely to move. Gate times and concert set times are not yet final.
Sessions can still be delayed or shortened during the weekend. Zandvoort sits on the North Sea coast and both the 2023 and 2024 races were hit by weather. The official app carries live updates on site.
Frequently asked questions
1. What time does the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix start?
15:00 CEST on Sunday 23 August – 14:00 BST, 09:00 US Eastern, 18:30 India.
2. How many practice sessions are there?
One. FP1 on Friday, 12:30–13:30. The Sprint format removes FP2 and FP3.
3. What time do the gates open at Zandvoort?
08:00, closing 21:00, based on 2025 timings. Confirm on the official timings on the race day before travelling.
4. Can I leave the circuit and come back in?
No. There is no re-entry, except for guests at the official campsite.
5. Which support series race at Zandvoort in 2026?
F1 Academy and Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup. There is no F2 or F3 round here.
6. Is the circuit open on Thursday?
Not for standard ticket holders. The pit lane walk is limited to hospitality and package guests.
7. When does Martin Garrix play?
Martin Garrix will play at the Heineken Dutch Grand Prix on August 23, 2026. Exact timings are yet to be published as of 20 August, 2026.
8. Where can I watch the race on TV?
You can watch the Dutch Grand Prix on Sky Sports F1 in the UK, Apple TV in the United States, Sky Sport F1 in Italy.
Found this useful? Browse the race calendar or look up a term in the glossary.