SEPANG, Sept 29 — Ticket sales for the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2026 in Malaysia could hit 100,000 ahead of the October 2 to 4 race weekend at Sepang International Circuit (SIC), buoyed by an overwhelming response.
SIC chief executive officer Azhan Shafriman Hanif said around 95,000 three-day tickets had already been sold, a strong showing for F1’s return to Malaysia after a nine-year absence.
“We are confident that the number will reach 100,000. Looking at all the different races that F1 has done this year, the numbers have been phenomenal. We believe that the experience we have created here with Bahrain will be a spectacular one.
“I would think in the [Malaysian GP] glory days, it was close to somewhere around 40,000 to 50,000 tickets sold.
“But this time around, it’s unprecedented. We have seen the strength of two powerful countries working together. It’s a one-off event, so I think it’s a pull for everyone,” he said in an interview with Bernama and Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM).
Tickets for the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia 2026 are sold as three-day passes only, with no single-day tickets available.
The Malaysian Grand Prix at SIC recorded its highest attendance in 2008, when 126,690 spectators attended the three-day event in its 10th year.
Azhan said international visitors accounted for 50 per cent of ticket sales, highlighting the race’s strong appeal among overseas fans.
“We have seen from the ticket buyers that 50 per cent are from overseas. This is good for us. The more tourists come over and spend, the better it is for the economy,” he said.
He said SIC is undergoing rapid transformation to meet Formula 1 requirements, singling out the paddock as one of the major areas upgraded ahead of the race.
Azhan said the scale of the operation has posed a major logistical challenge, with Formula 1 cargo alone estimated at four to five times the volume SIC handles for MotoGP.
He was also impressed by Bahrain International Circuit’s (BIC) entertainment line-up as part of the race experience, saying fans would get added value beyond the on-track action.
“I’ve seen the list of entertainers that Bahrain has brought here, and I’m blown away. I’m pretty sure the people who have bought tickets will get their value back when they come here,” he said.
BIC previously announced that Grammy-nominated artist, DJ and producer Axwell will perform live at SIC on Saturday, October 3.
The co-founder of Swedish House Mafia and Axwell Λ Ingrosso joins the race-weekend concert line-up following confirmation that multi-platinum-selling hitmaker Martin Garrix will headline the post-race concert on Sunday, October 4.
Meanwhile, BIC chief executive Sheikh Salman Isa Al Khalifa said the influx of visitors would extend the economic impact of the race beyond SIC, benefiting the hotel, restaurant and transportation sectors.
He said the event is expected to generate about US$240 million (RM979 million) in economic impact for Malaysia, underscoring the wider commercial and tourism value of bringing Formula 1 back to SIC.
Sheikh Salman said his main hope was for the race to be run safely while giving fans a memorable experience and a taste of Bahrain.
“I hope they see our culture, capture the memories and leave with a smile,” he said.
In July, Formula 1 confirmed Malaysia as host of the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix from October 2 to 4, following an agreement between Formula 1, the International Automobile Federation (FIA) and the governments of Malaysia and Bahrain.
The agreement keeps the Bahrain Grand Prix on the 2026 F1 calendar after the race was cancelled earlier this season due to geopolitical tensions in West Asia.
Malaysia previously hosted the Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang from 1999 to 2017 before the race was dropped from the F1 calendar.
