The roar of Formula 1 returns to South Florida on May 1-3, 2026, as the Miami Grand Prix takes over Hard Rock Stadium and the surrounding campus for one of the most anticipated weekends on the global sporting calendar. Since its debut in 2022, the Miami GP has quickly become far more than a race. It is a three-day spectacle blending world-class motorsport, live entertainment, celebrity sightings, and the kind of over-the-top hospitality that only Miami can deliver.
This year carries extra electricity. The 2026 season marks the biggest technical overhaul Formula 1 has seen in a generation, with radically redesigned cars, new power units, and at least one brand-new team on the grid. Whether you have followed F1 for decades or the Miami race is your introduction to the sport, 2026 is shaping up to be the year you do not want to miss.
This guide covers everything a luxury traveler needs to plan the perfect Grand Prix weekend in Miami: the race schedule, ticket options, where to watch, VIP hospitality, top dining, accommodation, transportation, and what to do beyond the track. If you are looking for luxury villa rentals in Miami to serve as your private base for the weekend, you have come to the right place.
If you have ever thought about attending a Formula 1 race, 2026 is the year to commit. The sport is introducing the most comprehensive regulation change since the ground-effect overhaul of 2022, and the results will be visible from the grandstands.
The cars themselves look and behave differently. Active aerodynamics allow movable front and rear wing elements that adjust in real time, replacing the familiar DRS flap with a more dynamic system. Power units deliver significantly more electrical energy, pushing the hybrid technology closer to a 50/50 split between combustion and electric power. The cars are smaller, lighter, and designed to promote closer, more aggressive wheel-to-wheel racing.
On the team side, the grid is expanding. GM Cadillac enters as the 11th constructor, bringing an iconic American brand into Formula 1 for the first time. Audi takes over the former Sauber operation as a full works team. That means more cars, more rivalries, and more storylines playing out on the Miami International Autodrome.
For anyone attending in person, the difference will be unmistakable. Expect louder crowd reactions, tighter battles through the turns around Hard Rock Stadium, and an atmosphere that matches the weight of the moment. A deeper look at the circuit itself, including key overtaking zones and the best vantage points, can be found in our breakdown of the track layout and viewing options.
The Miami Grand Prix follows Formula 1's standard three-day weekend format. Here is a general outline of how each day breaks down. Official session times are typically confirmed by F1 closer to the event, but the structure remains consistent.
Friday, May 1: Practice Sessions
Saturday, May 2: Qualifying
Sunday, May 3: Race Day
For a fuller picture of what else is happening in the area during the first week of May, take a look at our guide to May events in Miami, which covers everything from cultural festivals to nightlife programming that overlaps with race weekend.
Tickets for the Miami Grand Prix span a wide range, from accessible general admission passes to ultra-premium hospitality packages. Understanding the tiers will help you decide how you want to experience race weekend.
General Admission
General admission gives you access to the campus grounds, standing-room viewing areas, fan zones, and entertainment stages. You will not have a reserved seat, but you can move freely across multiple vantage points throughout the day. General admission three-day passes typically start around $300-$500, making this the most budget-friendly option.
Grandstand Seats
Reserved grandstand seating puts you in a specific section with a clear sightline to the track. Pricing varies based on location. Turn 1 grandstands, where braking zones create dramatic overtaking opportunities, tend to command the highest prices. The main straight grandstands facing the start/finish line are also popular. Expect three-day grandstand packages to range from $600 to over $2,000 depending on the section.
Campus Pass and Hospitality Suites
Several mid-tier hospitality options offer elevated food and beverage service, comfortable seating, and track views from enclosed or semi-enclosed areas. These packages typically range from $2,500 to $6,000 per person for the weekend and include access to exclusive lounges.
Paddock Club
The Formula 1 Paddock Club is the pinnacle of race weekend hospitality. Located directly above the pit lane, it offers gourmet dining from celebrity chefs, premium open bars, guided pit lane walks, and views that put you closer to the action than almost anywhere else on the circuit. Previous years have featured appearances by F1 legends and live behind-the-scenes content. Weekend packages for the Paddock Club typically begin around $8,000-$12,000 per person.
Hard Rock Beach Club
One of the defining features of the Miami Grand Prix is the Hard Rock Beach Club, a poolside hospitality area that brings South Beach energy right to the edge of the track. Guests enjoy DJ sets, cocktail service, and views of the cars screaming past just meters away. It has become one of the most photographed and talked-about spots at any F1 event worldwide. Beach Club access is limited and sells out early, with packages typically in the $3,000-$7,000 range per person.
Where you position yourself on the circuit can shape your entire race day experience. Here are the key viewing spots worth considering.
The Miami Grand Prix has set a new standard for what a Formula 1 event can look like beyond the track. The campus transforms into an open-air festival blending motorsport, fashion, music, and high-end hospitality. For visitors who want to experience race weekend at the highest level, here is what to expect.
Live concerts have become a core part of the Miami GP. Past editions have featured headline performances from major artists on stages built directly into the campus grounds. Musical acts are typically announced in the weeks leading up to the event, and they range from chart-topping pop and hip-hop to electronic music sets that keep the energy high well after the checkered flag drops.
Luxury retail pop-ups from fashion houses and watchmakers line the walkways, and brand activations from partners like Louis Vuitton, Tag Heuer, and Red Bull create immersive installations that feel more like Art Basel than a sporting event. There are also VIP after-parties hosted at clubs and venues across Miami on both Saturday and Sunday nights, many of which require separate invitations or ticket add-ons.
If you want the logistics handled so you can simply enjoy the weekend, Jatina Group's concierge team can arrange everything from VIP ticket sourcing to private transportation, dinner reservations, and after-party access. It is the difference between planning a trip and having a trip planned for you.
Race weekend in Miami means elevated demand at the city's best restaurants, so planning your dining early is essential. Here are the top areas and spots to consider.
Near the Circuit (Miami Gardens and Surroundings)
The Hard Rock Stadium campus itself features numerous food and beverage options, from upscale trackside dining within hospitality packages to gourmet food trucks and pop-up kitchens from well-known Miami restaurants. For sit-down dining before or after sessions, Aventura and nearby Hallandale Beach offer options like Bourbon Steak at the JW Marriott Turnberry and a range of upscale Latin and Asian-fusion restaurants along Biscayne Boulevard.
Miami Beach and South Beach
The race draws celebrity chefs and visiting culinary talent from around the world, many of whom host special race-weekend menus at South Beach restaurants. Perennial favorites include Carbone for Italian, Papi Steak for a buzzy steakhouse atmosphere, and Casa Tua for a more intimate garden setting. For waterfront dining, Juvia on Lincoln Road serves a Japanese-Peruvian-French fusion menu with panoramic rooftop views.
Brickell and Downtown
The Brickell corridor has become one of Miami's strongest dining neighborhoods. Gekko, co-owned by Bad Bunny, serves Japanese steakhouse fare in a moody, nightlife-forward setting. Hutong brings its Hong Kong-born Northern Chinese menu to a glass-walled space overlooking the Miami River. And for something more classic, Il Gabbiano on the waterfront remains one of the city's best Italian restaurants.
Coral Gables
For visitors staying in the quieter luxury neighborhoods south of downtown, Coral Gables offers exceptional dining without the South Beach crowds. Christy's is a storied Miami steakhouse, while Eating House is a creative, chef-driven spot that feels distinctly local. Bulla Gastrobar on Ponce de Leon Boulevard serves inventive Spanish tapas in a lively setting.
Regardless of where you eat, book well in advance. Race weekend reservations fill up weeks ahead of time, particularly at the most sought-after tables.
Hotels in the Miami area spike in price and sell out rapidly during Grand Prix weekend. More importantly, they cannot offer the space, privacy, or flexibility that a group of friends, a family, or a corporate delegation needs during a multi-day event like this.
A private villa changes the dynamic entirely. Instead of cramming into hotel rooms and meeting in a lobby bar, your group has a full estate with a pool, outdoor entertaining areas, a chef's kitchen for private catering, and the kind of space that lets you decompress after long days at the track. It also gives you a venue for hosting your own pre-race dinners, watch parties, or post-event gatherings without needing to book a separate event space.
For race weekend specifically, villas in certain neighborhoods offer the best combination of proximity, privacy, and atmosphere. Our complete guide to where to stay during F1 Miami breaks down the advantages by area, but here is a quick overview of the top picks.
For groups of 15 or more, properties like Villa Ruby and Villa Emerald accommodate up to 20 guests with nine bedrooms each, offering true estate-level space. You can browse available Miami villas to find the layout, location, and capacity that matches your group.
Choosing the right neighborhood depends on what matters most to you: proximity to the track, access to nightlife, family-friendliness, or waterfront serenity. For a detailed look at how each area fits different travel styles, our neighborhood guide covers the full range of Miami's best luxury enclaves.
Traffic around Hard Rock Stadium on race days is significant. Planning your transportation in advance will save you time and frustration.
The Grand Prix turns all of Miami into a playground for the week. Even if you only attend the race on Sunday, there is plenty to fill the rest of your trip.
The Miami Grand Prix is one of the highest-demand events on the F1 calendar, and premium accommodations, tickets, and dining reservations disappear fast. Here is a rough timeline to keep your planning on track.
The best race weekends are the ones where everything is handled before you land. If the idea of managing all these moving parts sounds exhausting, that is exactly what a villa stay with full concierge support is designed to eliminate. The goal is for you to focus on the race, the restaurants, and the experience, while everything else runs on autopilot in the background.
There is a reason that seasoned F1 travelers increasingly choose private villas over hotels for event weekends. The difference goes beyond square footage.
A private estate gives your group a gathering point that a hotel simply cannot match. Picture returning from the track on Friday evening and hosting a casual dinner by the pool with your group, prepared by a private chef who has already stocked the kitchen based on your preferences. On Saturday, you watch qualifying from the grandstands and come back to a house where everyone has room to spread out, recharge, and get ready for the evening ahead. On Sunday, you leave for the race knowing that the house will be set up for a post-race celebration when you return.
Many of our villa guests during past event weekends have told us that the villa itself became one of the highlights of their trip. When the race turns a regular week into something exceptional, having a home base that rises to the same level makes all the difference. For guests who have attended previous Miami event weeks, the concept of a villa stay designed for control and calm has consistently been the approach that leads to the best experiences.
Ready to start planning? You can explore our full collection of Miami villas to find a property that fits your group size, preferred neighborhood, and wish list of amenities. Whether you are looking for waterfront, walkable urban, or a tucked-away estate, there is a villa built for race weekend.
When is the 2026 Miami Grand Prix?
The race weekend runs from Friday, May 1 through Sunday, May 3, 2026. The main Grand Prix race takes place on Sunday afternoon.
Where is the Miami Grand Prix held?
The race takes place at the Miami International Autodrome, a purpose-built circuit on the campus of Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. It is located about 25 minutes north of Miami International Airport.
How long is the race?
The Grand Prix is 57 laps around the 5.41 km (3.36-mile) circuit, totaling approximately 308 km (191 miles). Depending on conditions, the race typically lasts around 90 minutes to two hours.
What is new about F1 in 2026?
The 2026 season introduces the most sweeping technical regulation changes in years. Cars will feature active aerodynamics with movable wing elements, new hybrid power units with significantly more electrical power, sustainable fuels, and a smaller overall car footprint. GM Cadillac joins as the 11th team on the grid, and Audi enters as a full works constructor.
What should I wear to the Miami Grand Prix?
Dress for the Miami heat. Lightweight, breathable clothing, sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen are essential. Comfortable walking shoes are a must since the campus is large and you will be on your feet most of the day. If you have VIP or Paddock Club access, smart casual is appropriate. Evenings at after-parties and dinners call for Miami-chic attire.
Is it worth attending on Friday, or just Saturday and Sunday?
Friday is actually a great day to attend. The crowds are smaller, you get full access to the campus and fan zones, and the practice sessions let you see the cars up close and hear the engines without the intensity of qualifying or the race. For first-time attendees, Friday is a perfect day to get your bearings.
How far is the circuit from Miami Beach?
Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens is approximately 30-40 minutes from Miami Beach by car under normal conditions. On race days, allow extra time due to traffic. Official shuttle services run from Miami Beach to the circuit.
Can I book a villa close to the track?
Yes. Neighborhoods like Miami Shores, North Miami, and Aventura are all within 15-20 minutes of Hard Rock Stadium. Jatina Group manages several luxury properties in these areas that are ideal for race weekend stays.
When should I book accommodation for the Grand Prix?
As early as possible. Three to six months before the event is ideal. Premium villas and top-tier hotel suites sell out quickly once the race date is confirmed. Booking early also tends to secure better pricing before demand-driven rate increases.
Are there things to do in Miami outside of the race?
Absolutely. Miami offers world-class beaches, dining, nightlife, shopping, art galleries, yacht charters, golf, and more. Race week amplifies everything, with pop-up events, brand activations, and parties happening across the city. Many visitors extend their stay to make it a full vacation.
The Miami Grand Prix 2026 is set to be the most in-demand Formula 1 weekend of the year; don’t leave your accommodations to chance. Secure one of our exclusive luxury villa rentals in Miami and enjoy a private, resort-style home base just minutes from the track.
From VIP race tickets and Paddock Club access to private chefs, yacht charters, and chauffeur service, our concierge team curates a seamless F1 race weekend in Miami tailored to you.
Explore available Miami villas now and start planning your May 1–3, 2026 Grand Prix getaway before the best properties are gone.
Jatina Group