F1 Malaysia 2026 Guide: Tickets, Schedule & Grandstands

Key Takeaways

• Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia 2026 takes place at Sepang International Circuit (SIC) from 2 to 4 October 2026, marking Formula 1’s first race at Sepang since 2017.
• Three-day F1 Sepang tickets start from ~S$280 for international spectators and RM200 for Malaysian MyKad holders.
• Main Grandstand offers the best all-round experience, while K1 is ideal for overtaking action and hillstands are the most budget-friendly.
• The best credit card depends on where you purchase your tickets, the merchant category code (MCC), and whether the payment is processed in foreign currency.

F1 Malaysia 2026 is officially happening, although with a slight twist. Formula 1 is returning to the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) for the first time since 2017, but this is technically not the Malaysian Grand Prix. Instead, Sepang will host the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia 2026 from 2 to 4 October.

The public sale for F1 Malaysia 2026 tickets started on 13 August 2026, with tickets already available for purchase.

Thinking of making the trip from Singapore? Here’s what you need to know about the F1 Malaysia 2026 schedule, Malaysia F1 ticket prices, where to sit and the best credit cards to use to rack up rewards.

Overview of F1 Malaysia 2026

The original Bahrain Grand Prix, or Bahrain GP, could not take place as scheduled in April amid the situation in the Middle East. Formula 1 subsequently confirmed that the race would instead be staged at SIC from 2 to 4 October 2026.

Despite the change in venue, the race retains its Bahrain identity and is officially known as the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.

Sepang is no stranger to Formula 1. The 5.543km circuit hosted the Malaysian Grand Prix from 1999 to 2017 and is known for its long straights, heavy braking zones, wide track and unpredictable tropical weather. Its return therefore marks Formula 1’s first race at SIC in nine years.

The race also sits between the Azerbaijan Grand Prix and Singapore Grand Prix on the 2026 calendar, making October an especially exciting month for F1 fans in the region.

The F1 Malaysia 2026 schedule currently lists practice sessions on Friday, qualifying on Saturday and the race on Sunday.

Check the official F1 page closer to race weekend, as timings may change.

All F1 Malaysia 2026 tickets are three-day passes covering Friday to Sunday. Grandstand tickets come with allocated seating rather than free seating, while hillstands are general admission without reserved seats.

Do also note that although ticket prices may be displayed in USD or MYR, the official Bahrain GP website states that transactions are processed in Bahraini dinars (BHD). This may affect the final SGD amount charged to your card, as well as any foreign currency fees or rewards earned.

F1 Malaysia 2026 Grandstand Guide

Source: Bahrain GP

Where you sit at F1 Sepang can make a big difference to your race-day experience.

Main Grandstand (Seated & Rooftop)

If this is your first F1 Malaysia race and you have the budget, Main Grandstand is the best choice for the overall experience. You’ll get views of the start/finish straight, pits and grid, while also enjoying shelter from Sepang’s heat and rain.

K1 Grandstand (Seated & Rooftop)

For more wheel-to-wheel action, K1 overlooks Turns 1 and 2, one of Sepang’s biggest braking and overtaking zones.

F Grandstand (Seated & Rooftop)

F Grandstand faces Turns 7 and 8, making it a good option if you enjoy watching drivers handle the track’s more technical sections.

B, C and K2 Hillstands (Grass/ Open Air)

If you simply want to experience F1 Sepang without paying grandstand prices, the hillstands offer cheaper general admission access. Seating is unallocated, so arriving earlier may help you secure a better viewing spot.

F1 Sepang 2026 Ticket Prices

F1 Malaysia tickets are available to both Malaysian and international spectators, with discounted prices for Malaysian citizens holding a valid MyKad.

All listed tickets are three-day passes covering Friday to Sunday.

SGD conversions are approximate and may change according to prevailing exchange rates.

Children aged three to six receive a 25% discount on eligible ticket categories, while children under three can enter free without an allocated seat. However, the discount does not apply to G Hillstand.

G Hillstand is also exclusively available to Malaysian citizens with a valid MyKad.

You can purchase Sepang F1 tickets through the official Bahrain GP website and Formula 1. Tickets are also listed on platforms such as Pelago, KKday and Traveloka.

Best Credit Cards for F1 Malaysia 2026

Your transaction’s MCC may differ depending on where and how you purchase your tickets. Direct event-site purchases may be classified under a ticketing or entertainment-related MCC, such as MCC 7922, while online travel agency transactions are commonly associated with travel-related MCCs, such as 4722.

MCCs are ultimately assigned by the merchant’s acquiring bank, so be sure to check the final posted transaction where possible. If you’re unfamiliar with how merchant categories affect card rewards, check out our MCC code guide—the MCC is essentially the crux of racking up credit card rewards!

As official Bahrain GP transactions are processed in BHD, your card may also impose a foreign currency transaction (FCY) fee. Factor this into your potential miles or cashback before choosing a card.

For Online Travel Agency (OTA) bookings, DBS Woman’s World may be one of the more straightforward options for eligible online transactions. Pelago users can also consider the KrisFlyer UOB Credit Card, which offers uncapped 3 miles per S$1 on Pelago purchases.

For direct Bahrain GP purchases processed in BHD, cards that offer foreign currency rewards may make more sense. DCS Flex and OCBC FRANK offer enhanced FX cashback subject to minimum spend and caps, while UOB EVOL currently waives its FX administrative fee on qualifying overseas foreign currency transactions.

The Amaze + Citi Rewards combination may also be useful for direct purchases, potentially reducing foreign currency costs while earning Citi rewards points.

However, Citi Rewards excludes travel-related MCC 4722 from its 10X rewards. As such, this combination may be more suitable for direct purchases that post under an eligible online ticketing or entertainment MCC rather than an OTA transaction.

Alternatively, you can also consider using a multi-currency card like Wise, Revolut, or YouTrip. These cards offer competitive foreign exchange rates with no FCY fee and markups.

Conclusion

F1 Malaysia 2026 marks Formula 1’s long-awaited return to Sepang after nine years, giving Singapore-based fans another chance to catch live racing without travelling too far.

Before purchasing your F1 Malaysia tickets, compare both ticket prices and payment methods. Choosing the right credit card could help you earn more miles or cashback while reducing foreign currency costs at the same time!

Planning to catch more live events closer to home? Check out our F1 Singapore 2026 Guide: Tickets, Schedule & Concerts. You can also read our SG Culture Pass guide for more ways to make the most of Singapore’s lifestyle and cultural offerings.