Formula 1 and the FIA have revealed the six venues that will host a Sprint race next season. Among them are three new locations and the return of the track that staged the very first Sprint back in 2021.

The city of Shanghai will host the first Sprint next March, followed by Miami in May. In 2026, it will be the third consecutive year both venues have featured the extra Saturday race. At the end of May, Montreal in Canada will host its first-ever Sprint weekend, followed by the return of Silverstone in July. Zandvoort and Singapore are set to host their first-ever Sprints to round out the year.

The F1 Sprint guarantees competitive action on each day of a race weekend and the format - first introduced six years ago - has continued to prove popular among fans across the world. The sport has seen increased attendance and viewership figures across broadcast, digital and social platforms.

Last year, TV viewership for Sprint weekends was on average 10 per cent greater than non-Sprint weekends. The Sprint in Miami Gardens back in May set a new viewership record for F1 since the format was introduced in 2021, drawing 26.6 million TV viewers - an 18 per cent increase on the previous year.

In total there have been 21 Sprint weekends - with three still to come this year (Austin, Brazil and Qatar). Tracks for the Sprint are chosen based on their overtaking potential, as drivers are encouraged to race flat-out to the chequered flag. The distance of the Sprint has been calculated to be equivalent to a stint on one set of Pirelli tyres and features no mandatory pit stops.

The format is increasingly popular with fans as it guarantees three days of track action. Sprint Qualifying takes place on Friday following Free Practice 1, with the 100km Sprint (around one-third of a Grand Prix distance) and Qualifying on Saturday, before the weekend culminates with the Grand Prix itself on Sunday.

While there are only six Sprints for 2026 to ease the burden on teams under the new regulations, there are active discussions about increasing the number from 2027 onward, with possible changes to the format - including reverse grids - under consideration.

“The F1 Sprint has continued to grow in positive impact and popularity since it was introduced in 2021,” said Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1. “With four competitive sessions rather than two during a conventional Grand Prix weekend, F1 Sprint events offer more action each day for our fans, broadcast partners, and for the promoters - driving increased attendance and viewership.”

“The Sprint format has become an increasingly exciting part of the FIA Formula 1 World Championship, delivering high-intensity racing and added entertainment for fans around the world,” added Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the FIA.

“As we look ahead to a landmark 2026 season featuring a new generation of cars and regulations, I’m pleased to see the Sprint evolving alongside our broader ambitions for the sport. The inclusion of new venues alongside returning favourites reflects the continued enthusiasm from promoters, teams and fans alike.”