Montreal's Canadian Grand Prix ranks second best for fans in 2026 Fanatix study

Key facts

• Canadian Grand Prix scores 7.59/10 in Fanatix ranking, second overall.
• Circuit Gilles Villeneuve drew 352,000 fans in 2025, 306% of stated capacity.
• Overtaking score of 7.65 is highest among top-five Grands Prix.
• Race takes place Sunday, May 24, 2026.
• Melbourne's Australian Grand Prix tops ranking with 7.91/10.
• Qatar Grand Prix ranks last with 5.53/10, lowest fan ranking of 3.5.
• F1 had 6.7 million live attendees in 2025; 22 races scheduled for 2026.

Montreal takes second place in global fan experience ranking

Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal has been ranked the second-best Grand Prix for fans to attend in 2026, according to a new analysis by ticket marketplace Fanatix. The Canadian event scored 7.59 out of 10, trailing only Melbourne's Australian Grand Prix, which earned 7.91. The study evaluated every Formula 1 race using eight criteria: ticket cost, crowd size, destination attractiveness, ease of access, fan feedback, and race excitement. Montreal received perfect 10s for both attendance and airport accessibility, reflecting its ability to draw massive crowds while remaining easy to reach. Its destination score of 8 underscores the city's appeal as a host, while an overtaking score of 7.65 — the highest of any Grand Prix in the top five — confirms that the circuit consistently delivers dramatic, unpredictable racing.

Record attendance and transport infrastructure boost Montreal's score

The Canadian Grand Prix welcomed 352,000 fans in 2025, a figure that represents 306 per cent of the circuit's stated capacity. This attendance rate is among the highest on the calendar, trailing only Melbourne's 465,498 fans (342 per cent of capacity) and Monza's 369,041 (308 per cent). Montreal's perfect transport score reflects the city's exceptional public transit links during race weekend, a factor that Fanatix analysts say is critical for fan experience. The combination of high attendance and easy access helped the event outperform many European and Middle Eastern races. The 2026 edition of the Canadian Grand Prix is scheduled for Sunday, May 24, maintaining its traditional late-May slot on the Formula 1 calendar.

Melbourne tops ranking with perfect attendance and transport scores

The Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park claimed the top spot with a score of 7.91 out of 10, earning perfect marks for both attendance and transport. The season opener drew a record-breaking 465,498 fans over the four-day weekend in 2025, a staggering 342 per cent of the circuit's stated capacity. Melbourne's destination score of 9 places it among the most appealing host cities on the calendar, while an overtaking score of 6.7 confirms ample on-track action. A fan ranking of 7, drawn from a survey of Formula 1 fans rating each Grand Prix on overall experience, completed a well-rounded scorecard. The event celebrated its 40th edition hosting the Australian Grand Prix at the beginning of the 2025 season, cementing its status as a fan favorite.

Monza leads European races; Qatar ranks last overall

The Italian Grand Prix at Autodromo Nazionale Monza ranks third with a score of 7.25 out of 10, the highest-placed European race on the list. Monza attracted 369,041 fans in 2025, a 308 per cent utilisation rate, and earned perfect 10s for attendance, 9s for destination appeal and airport accessibility, and a fan ranking of 8 out of 10. At the bottom of the ranking, the Qatar Grand Prix at Lusail International Circuit scored just 5.53 out of 10. Despite drawing 162,972 fans in 2025 and a strong attendance score of 10, Qatar was let down by a transport score of just 4 and a fan ranking of 3.5 out of 10 — the lowest of any Grand Prix on the calendar. The data suggests that while Lusail draws a crowd, it struggles to deliver the broader experience that the best Grand Prix offer, particularly in terms of transport and overall fan satisfaction.

F1's global attendance surge and ticket price disparities

Formula 1 drew 6.7 million fans to Grands Prix in 2025, the largest live audience among annual sports globally. For the 2026 season, 22 races are scheduled across five continents, with ticket prices ranging from $220 to over $1,000, making live attendance increasingly popular but not equally accessible. The Fanatix study highlights significant disparities in value: Monza, with a ticket price score of 8, offers exceptional value by modern F1 standards, while events like Qatar underperform despite strong attendance. The analysis used eight fan-oriented criteria to evaluate each Grand Prix, providing a comprehensive assessment of the fan experience. As the 2026 season unfolds, the ranking offers a guide for fans seeking the best combination of racing excitement, accessibility, and destination appeal.

The bottom line

• Montreal's Canadian Grand Prix ranks second overall with a score of 7.59/10, driven by perfect attendance and airport access scores.
• The circuit's overtaking score of 7.65 is the highest among the top five Grands Prix, indicating exciting racing.
• Melbourne's Australian Grand Prix tops the ranking with a record 465,498 fans in 2025 and perfect transport marks.
• Monza is the highest-ranked European race, offering strong value with a ticket price score of 8.
• Qatar ranks last with a fan ranking of just 3.5, highlighting a gap between attendance and overall experience.
• F1's live attendance reached 6.7 million in 2025, with 22 races in 2026 and tickets from $220 to over $1,000.