Formula 1 is heading back to a track its fans never stopped talking about. The Autódromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimão will host the Portuguese Grand Prix from June 18 to 20, 2027. That’s six years after Formula 1 cars last raced there.
Fans call the circuit the “roller coaster” for its steep climbs and blind corners, and it left a strong impression the last time it hosted a race. “The last season held here, in 2021, left drivers, teams and fans impressed by our facilities, but above all by the excitement that our circuit delivers,” said Jaime Costa, CEO of the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve.
The Date Is Locked, and So Is 2028
The FIA, Formula 1’s governing body, confirmed the race this week as part of its newly released 2027 season calendar. The date follows an agreement Formula 1 signed with the circuit in December 2025, and that deal also locks in a second Portuguese Grand Prix for 2028.
“We finally have a date we have been working towards for a very long time,” Costa said.
One of F1’s Most Demanding Circuits
The 2.9-mile track opened in 2008 and packs 15 corners into a layout of steep gradients and blind corners. Drivers stay on edge through every lap, never quite settled before the next rise or turn.
The circuit last hosted Formula 1 in 2020 and 2021, and it holds the highest certification level from racing’s two governing bodies, the FIA and the FIM. That 2020 race became one of the sport’s most historic days. Lewis Hamilton’s win there was his 92nd Grand Prix victory, breaking Michael Schumacher’s long-standing record.
Getting There, and Getting Tickets
Faro Airport connects to more than 30 European cities. That makes it easy to fold the Algarve into a longer trip instead of a quick weekend stopover.
Tickets go on sale Sept. 21, and the event’s official website is the only place to buy them. The first phase covers three-day general admission, reserved grandstand seats and hospitality packages. Organizers are urging fans to skip third-party resellers entirely.
Costa’s advice for anyone planning the trip goes beyond race day. “Come and stay for a week, not just for the race,” he said, pointing to the region’s beaches, food and culture as reasons to stick around.
The Payoff Reaches Beyond the Track
André Gomes, president of Turismo do Algarve, expects the race to generate roughly $171 million in regional economic impact. That money would touch hotels, restaurants, transportation, retail and the businesses that support all of it.
If a Portugal trip has been sitting on your list, 2027 just gave you a reason to book it. Mark mid-June on the calendar, and plan to stay past the checkered flag.