Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: Main Grandstand Review

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Detailed guide to buying tickets for the Main Grandstand at Yas Marina Circuit while attending the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Main Image: View from Main Grandstand, Sector M-03

The 2026 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is scheduled on December 4-6

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Ahead of the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, we had the opportunity to check out the views from all sections of the Main Grandstand at Yas Marina Circuit. Spanning most of the start/finish straight, the Main Grandstand offers selected views (depending on where you are sat) of the final turn, first turn, finish line, starting grid, podium and team garages. It’s one of the best places to watch the race build up, start, pit stops and post-race podium ceremony at the final race of the season, especially if the teams’ and drivers’ championships are still to be decided. For on-track action, it’s better to choose the West, South or North Grandstands.

Seats in the Main Grandstand are included with selected ticket packages from F1 Experiences, including Hero | Main. As well as a 3-day ticket in the Main Grandstand, packages include access to exciting trackside activities on Thursday (Exclusive Pit Lane Walk, Guided Track Tour, Championship Trophy Photo & Inside F1 event). Click the button below to view all Abu Dhabi packages from F1 Experiences.

Main Grandstand: Need to Know

8 Rows of seats: A-H. Row A is lowest and closest to the track and Row H is highest. Seat numbers vary by section, with numbering from right to left (following the direction of the track). The grandstand is entered via multiple stairwells from the ground level, all of which open at Row H (the highest row of seats). Signposting on the ground level indicates the section and seat numbers being entered

Separated into 10 Sections: M-00 to M-09. When facing the track, M-00 is furthest to the right and closest to the final corner, whilst M-09 is furthest to the left and closest to the first corner.

Sections M-00 to M-04 are known as the ‘Main Grandstand Premium’ and are priced higher than sections M-05 to M-09, which are simply ‘Main Grandstand’.

Large TV screens are located behind the podium (section M-02) and opposite sections M-03, M-05/M-06 and M-07/M-08. The lowest numbered sections (M-00 and M-01) don’t have as good a view of a TV screen as all other sections in the grandstand.

Section M-09 has only six rows of regular seats (A-F), the highest row (G) is an ADA section,

Section is M-01 closest to finish line,

Section M-02 high seats numbers (52-58) are directly opposite the podium,

Section M-03 high seat numbers (35-68) are directly opposite the front slots on the starting grid, as well as the garages of the leading teams. These seats also have a view of the podium to the right. This is the best section, in our opinion.

How to access the Main Grandstand?

Due to the unique layout of Yas Marina Circuit, the Main Grandstand is actually located on the inside of the circuit. That means you’ll need to cross the track to enter the grandstand. The closest entrance gate is Gate 19 on Yas Leisure Drive, next to the West Straight Grandstand. You’ll use a tunnel to go under the track and arrive in the fan zone behind the end of the Main Grandstand (section M-00 end), close to the final corner. If you happen to be staying at the W Abu Dhabi, you can use another tunnel which goes under the track and takes you to the same location at the end of the grandstand near the final turn. Check the detailed circuit map above.

What kind of seats are available in the Main Grandstand?

All seats in the Main Grandstand and Main Grandstand Premium are individual bucket seats with backs. Despite the circuit and this grandstand being over 15 years old, the seats are still in excellent condition and clearly well maintained.

Where are the best seats in the Main Grandstand?

There’s a reason why sections M-00 to M-04 are known as “Main Grandstand Premium” and tickets are priced higher than for sections M-05 to M-09 (“Main Grandstand”), though we would argue that the best seats are in sections M-02 to M-04 (avoid sections M-00 and M-01 if you have the choice). The seats in sections M-02 to M-04 face the front part of the starting grid, the garages of the leading teams and also the podium. If you don’t value watching on-track action like passing moves, then these are the best seats to watch the final race of the season, especially if there’s a championship or two to be decided!

Don’t discount sections M-05 to M-09, as most of these still face team garages (mid-field and backmarker teams), and the closer you get to the end of the grandstand, the better your views of the opening corner. However, views are restricted beyond the apex of Turn 1 by a new extension of the Paddock Club, which was constructed ahead of the race in 2024.

How much do Main Grandstand tickets cost?

Tickets for the 2026 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix are not on general sale. A small number of super early bird tickets were put on sale during race weekend in 2025, but these sold out very quickly. The general sale normally begins in January, and we do recommend securing your tickets as soon as possible. The best seats sell quickly, and most grandstand seats are sold out many months in advance of race weekend.

For the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Main Grandstand seat prices started at 3,010 AED (approx. $820 USD) and Main Grandstand Premium seats were priced from 3,160 AED (approx. $860 USD). Aisle seats were higher priced, and some ticket prices were subject to dynamic pricing via Ticketmaster, who sells the tickets on behalf of the race promoter in Abu Dhabi. If you can afford it, we recommend paying for the Main Grandstand Premium seats. (Don’t forget, ‘Main Grandstand Premium’ refers to sections M-00 to M-04 and ‘Main Grandstand’ refers to sections M-05 to M-09. View the full Abu Dhabi price list at the bottom of this post.

F1 Experiences Lounge at Yas Premium Suites 3-Days | Premium Restaurant

The Main Grandstand and Main Grandstand Premium seats occupy the lowest tier of the main grandstand building. Two levels of hospitality suites are located above (known as the Yas Premium Suites), but only in the middle section of the building (see map). Level 2 is home to suites M-11 to M-16 and level 3 is home to suites M-17 to M-23. For recent editions of the race, the F1 Experiences Lounge at Yas Premium Suites 3-Days | Premium Restaurant suite has been located in section M-11 or M-12, a prime location in the best area of the grandstand with views of the starting grid, grid boxes of the leading teams and the podium (M-11 and M-12 correspond to the same location – one floor higher – as M-03 and M-04). See photos above of the view. Access to the F1 Experiences Lounge includes a reserved grandstand seat, all-inclusive food and beverages, and a guided tour of the F1 Paddock. Highly recommended! (Note that the Editor worked in this suite for F1 Experiences in 2024 and 2025.)