The Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit will host the opening round for the second consecutive year, and the 23rd time in its history.

The season will end at Abu Dhabi on the weekend of December 4-6.

Australian Grand Prix Corporation CEO Travis Auld said hosting the opening round of the season was something special.

“There is something special about being the first race of the season, and we’re looking forward to sharing that with hundreds of thousands of fans once again in 2026,” Auld said.

“The Formula 1 calendar announcement is always an exciting moment, and in the coming weeks we will be sharing on-sale dates for tickets to the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix 2026, which we know will be eagerly anticipated.”

The 2026 F1 grid will visit five continents across 21 countries, with a second race in Spain at the new Madring Circuit replacing the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola.

Outside of the new race in Spain, the most notable change sees the Canadian Grand Prix moved forward a month from its traditional June slot to May 24 – the same day as the 2026 Indy 500.

2026 Formula 1 World Championship calendar

*Subject to FIA circuit homologation

Formula 1 and the FIA said the change to the Canadian Grand Prix would help with “further improvements to the geographical flow of races,” with an extended run of European races now taking place between June and September.

Cars will then head to Asia for the Azerbaijan and Singapore rounds before closing the season with a triple header in the Americas, followed by Las Vegas and two final rounds in the middle east.

Ramadan will once again affect the hosting of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian rounds, with both scheduled for April as they were this season.

Formula 1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali said he was excited for the new season, which will be the first under a new set of technical regulations, as well as the debut of both Audi and Cadillac on the F1 grid.

“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,” Domenicali said.

“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.

“It promises to be an unforgettable season, where once again we will come together 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 echoed Domenicali’s sentiments, expressing his enthusiasm for the calendar’s improved geographical structure.

“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,” he said.

The 2026 season will join 2024 and 2025 as the longest in the history of Formula 1.