- The UAE’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix still runs as scheduled on 6 December.
- 11 rounds remain, from the Dutch GP (23 August) to the Abu Dhabi finale (6 December).
- beIN SPORTS holds exclusive F1 broadcast rights across the GCC and MENA.
UAE F1 Time Zone (GST)
The UAE uses Gulf Standard Time (GST, UTC+4) throughout the year and does not observe daylight saving.
That means the gap between UAE race times and any other time zone stays fixed all year — there is no clock change to plan around.
Bahrain and Saudi Arabia’s Races Are Off the 2026 Calendar
The UAE’s own Abu Dhabi Grand Prix still runs as scheduled on 6 December. But two of the region’s other races were cancelled for 2026: the Bahrain Grand Prix (originally 12 April) and the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix (originally 19 April) were both called off due to the ongoing situation in the Middle East.
Saudi Arabia has no replacement round this year. Bahrain’s race was preserved instead of dropped outright — on 26 July 2026, F1, the FIA, and the governments of Bahrain and Malaysia confirmed the race would relocate to the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia, on 2-4 October, though the move still awaits final ratification by the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council. Session times for that round are not yet published.
F1 2026 Schedule in UAE Time
Eleven confirmed rounds remain on the 2026 calendar, starting with the Dutch Grand Prix on 23 August and closing with the Abu Dhabi finale on 6 December, plus the proposed Sepang round pending final FIA sign-off. Every time below is the race start, shown in UAE time (GST).
Two rounds are worth flagging early. The Singapore Grand Prix runs its first-ever sprint weekend on 11 October in Singapore, landing at a comfortable 16:00 GST under Marina Bay’s lights.
The Qatar Grand Prix at Lusail on 29 November — many fans fly into Doha for race week — is the season’s penultimate round, starting at 20:00 GST. The season then closes at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit on 6 December, where 17:00 GST is Abu Dhabi’s own local start.
Where to Watch
beIN SPORTS holds exclusive live broadcast rights to Formula 1 across the GCC and wider MENA region, under a 10-year deal running through 2033. Every practice, qualifying, sprint, and race session airs live on beIN SPORTS channels and through the TOD streaming app.
Watching Live? Stay Near Yas Marina Circuit
If you’re in the UAE and want to catch the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in person on 6 December, Yas Island puts you right next to Yas Marina Circuit. Here are a few close-by places to stay for race weekend:
- W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island — connected directly to Yas Marina Circuit, the closest stay to the action.
- Radisson Blu Hotel, Abu Dhabi Yas Island — overlooks the circuit and the Yas Links golf course.
- Yas Plaza Circuit by IHG — steps from the track at Golf Plaza, Yas Island.
- Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island — on Yas Bay, a short drive from the circuit, with the island’s highest guest rating.
Compare more Yas Island hotels on Wego to find the best fit for race weekend.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time is the next F1 race in the UAE?
The next confirmed round is the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort on Sunday 23 August, starting at 17:00 in the UAE. Qualifying runs the day before, Saturday 22 August, at 18:00 in the UAE.
Does the UAE still have its own F1 race in 2026?
Yes — the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit runs as scheduled on 6 December, closing out the season. It’s the neighbouring Bahrain and Saudi Arabian races that were cancelled for 2026.
Why did Bahrain and Saudi Arabia lose their 2026 races?
Both races were cancelled on safety grounds due to the ongoing situation in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia has no replacement round, while Bahrain’s race is proposed to move to Sepang, Malaysia on 2-4 October, pending final FIA sign-off.
Why do some races land on a different calendar day in the UAE?
Races held in the Americas run late at night or after midnight local time, which pushes the UAE broadcast into the early hours of the next day. The Las Vegas Grand Prix is the most extreme example, starting Saturday night locally but airing Sunday morning in the UAE.
Where can I watch F1 live in the UAE?
beIN SPORTS holds exclusive live broadcast rights to Formula 1 across the GCC and wider MENA region, through its TV channels and the TOD app. The deal covers every practice, qualifying, sprint, and race session through 2033.
Plan Your Race Weekend
Eleven confirmed rounds remain on the 2026 F1 calendar, and every one now has a UAE start time you can plan around. Bookmark this page and check back before each race weekend — compare and book flights to Amsterdam for the Dutch Grand Prix on Wego.
Sources
- Formula 1 — Official 2026 Race Calendar
- Formula 1 — F1 and FIA Confirm Malaysia Will Join 2026 Calendar as Host Venue for Bahrain Grand Prix
- FIA — FIA and FOM Confirm Malaysia Will Join the 2026 Calendar as Host Venue for the Bahrain Grand Prix
- Formula 1 Corporate — Formula 1 and beIN SPORTS Agree Ten-Year Deal to Exclusively Broadcast F1 Across MENA & Turkey
- Sky Sports — F1 Confirms Cancellation of Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix
- Formula 1 — Formula 1 Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2026, Full Timetable
- timeanddate.com — Gulf Standard Time (GST)
Disclaimer: We’ve worked hard to make sure the information in this article is as accurate and up to date as possible at the time of publishing. Travel details such as prices, schedules, visa rules, and entry requirements can change at short notice, so it remains your responsibility to verify the current details with official sources before you book or travel. Wego accepts no liability for any loss or inconvenience arising from the use of this content. Note in particular that the Bahrain Grand Prix’s relocation to Sepang, Malaysia, and its session times, remain subject to final sign-off by the FIA World Motor Sport Council at the time of writing.
