Planning your weekend around a major event requires some organization — from sorting out tickets to arranging transportation and accommodation. With the Formula 1 Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix 2025 happening from November 28 to 30, now's the time to finalize those details.

This year's race weekend packs in 3 full days — sprint qualifying and racing, the main Grand Prix, plus headline concerts from Seal, Cheb Khaled, and Metallica. The Fan Zone has been completely redesigned with hands-on activities, and a 360° experience activation is available at Souq Waqif, running through the end of November. Here's your practical guide to Formula 1 Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix 2025 tickets, schedules, and making the most of race weekend.

As the penultimate race of the season, the championship battle comes down to the wire here before the finale in Abu Dhabi. McLaren's teammates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are leading the charge, with Max Verstappen hunting them down. Norris, the 26-year-old British driver in his 7th F1 season, has matured into a consistent frontrunner and race winner. His teammate Piastri, the 24-year-old Australian in his 3rd season, has already claimed multiple Grand Prix victories and proven he can challenge the sport's established stars — making this potentially the race that decides everything.

It's also one of six sprint weekends this season, so Saturday gives you two separate racing sessions instead of the usual one.

Friday, November 28: The first practice gets things started, followed by sprint qualifying at 8:30 PM. The Fan Zone opens with interactive activities and the F1 Fan Forum — a staged Q&A event featuring drivers on the main stage. British soul legend Seal performs after the track action wraps up. 

Saturday, November 29: The sprint race at 5 PM gives you the first proper racing of the weekend. Main qualifying follows at 9 PM — this sets the grid for Sunday's Grand Prix. Formula 2 and Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East also race throughout the day. Algerian music legend, Cheb Khaled — you certainly know his Aïcha — performs once qualifying finishes.

Sunday, November 30: The race day — 57 laps starting at 7 PM. With the championship potentially being decided here, expect aggressive racing from lap one. American heavy metal legends Metallica close out the weekend after the podium ceremony.

Plenty of places in Doha screen F1. Champions Sports Bar at Marriott Marquis and The Irish Harp at Sheraton are popular spots with multiple screens and race-day specials. You'll find other options across the city.

Most major sports bars in Doha will show the full weekend, including practice, qualifying, sprint, and the main race.

Things to do at the Fan Zone

• Build your own mini F1 car at the LEGO Build The Thrill zone — and take it home in Formula 1 Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix packaging
• Race electric karts at the Kart Arena, on a track layout inspired by the Lusail International Circuit
• Explore the science behind racing inside the F1® Genius Dome, through interactive exhibits on aerodynamics, engineering, and race strategy
• Drive a virtual F1 car in the AR racing experience, then pose for a photo on the official F1 Photo Booth
• Test your skills in the E-gaming zone, with racing simulators and PlayStation consoles
• Experience Qatari culture through live traditional performances, including Ardha, Arabic coffee and dates, and enjoy craft demonstrations of Sadu weaving, pottery, calligraphy, and henna
• Ask your questions in person at the F1 Fan Forum, held on Friday and Saturday, which gives fans rare direct access to drivers and team personnel for Q&A sessions

F1 activations around Doha

#QatarGP 360° experience

Happening at Souq Waqif, at the Eastern Square. Free entry, runs daily until November 30. You stand inside a 360° film environment showing "Where Hearts Are Racing" — the official promotional film connecting Qatar's traditional racing heritage — camels, horses, falcons — with modern F1. Hours are 3 PM to 10 PM, Sunday through Wednesday, and 3 PM to 12 AM, Thursday through Saturday.

Qatar GP Village 2025

At Place Vendôme Mall, with VR simulators, holograms, and interactive design challenges.

F1 helmet installations

Ten massive helmet sculptures are placed around the city at Old Doha Port, Msheireb, and other landmarks. Worth checking out if you're in those areas anyway.

Between race sessions, you can hit museums, traditional souqs, or desert activities. Discover more interesting facts about Qatar if you want to plan around the racing.

A little planning goes a long way during race weekend. Here are simple, practical tips to help you move around easily, choose the right place to stay, and make the most of your time at the circuit.

Where to stay

Hotels near Lusail mean shorter travel times to the circuit. Downtown Doha hotels put you closer to restaurants and nightlife between sessions. Qatar Airways has packages that bundle flights, hotels, and tickets if you're coming from outside Qatar — availability is currently limited.

Getting around

The Doha Metro is the easiest way to reach the Lusail Circuit. You’ll take the Red Line to Lusail QNB Station, then follow the signs to the circuit entrance, which may include a short walk or a shuttle ride depending on crowd flow. Trains run frequently during major events, but it’s still smart to allow extra time before qualifying and race sessions.

Important: Traffic around the circuit can get intense, so leave well in advance — as in, hours early. There’s plenty to see and do inside the track area, so arriving early is actually part of the fun.

Before you go

Download the circuit's navigation app before you go — it shows you where merchandise shops, restrooms, Fan Zone sections, and accessible areas are located in real-time. Concert areas are about a 10 to 15-minute walk from the Fan Zone, so get there early for Metallica on Sunday if you want a decent spot. Moreover, keep in mind that it can get cold and windy after sunset, so make sure to bring warm clothes. If you’re planning to buy merch, it’s best to do it on Friday or Saturday — by Sunday, most of the stock is already sold out. Finally, check the QIC app for other events happening around Qatar during race weekend.