Formula 1 Confirms 2027 Calendar With 24 Races and Expanded Sprint Events

Formula 1 has steadily expanded its calendar in recent years, adding more races and introducing sprint events to increase excitement. Sprint races, first tried in 2021, offer a shorter Saturday race and an extra qualifying session, giving fans more action over a race weekend.

In the past, classic venues like Monaco have resisted changes to their traditional formats. Meanwhile, countries such as Portugal and Turkey have appeared sporadically on the calendar, often stepping in when other venues were unavailable.

On September 16, 2026, Formula 1 and the FIA published the provisional 2027 calendar. According to L'Équipe, it will start and finish in the Middle East, with a total of 24 Grands Prix.

Sky Sports reported that the season opener is set for Bahrain. The calendar also marks the return of the Portuguese Grand Prix at Portimao and the Turkish Grand Prix at Istanbul Park. These circuits last appeared in the early 2020s.

The number of sprint races will grow from six in 2026 to ten in 2027, as confirmed by the BBC. This is the largest number of sprint events yet and is intended to add variety and competition to more weekends.

A significant development is that Monaco will host a sprint race for the first time, as highlighted by Fanpage. This is a surprising move, given Monaco's traditional approach to race formats. The Turkish Grand Prix is scheduled for the first weekend of October, according to Diken.

The 2027 Formula 1 calendar is now official, featuring 24 races and ten sprint weekends. The expansion of sprint races and the return of Portugal and Turkey reflect ongoing efforts to grow the sport and reach new audiences.

The addition of Monaco as a sprint venue is already generating discussion, as it represents a break from tradition at the iconic street circuit. Teams and fans are preparing for a busier and more competitive season ahead.

Attention will turn to how the expanded sprint format affects team strategies and race weekends. There is also interest in the impact of sprint races at historic venues like Monaco, where overtaking is notoriously difficult.

Organizers and teams will be watching closely to see if these changes boost fan engagement and maintain the balance between tradition and innovation in Formula 1.