Ten years of screaming engines, hairpin turns, and champagne-soaked podiums. Baku is celebrating its decade-long love affair with Formula 1, and Azerbaijan is making it easier than ever to be part of the spectacle. Until September 30, 2026, race fans can breeze through immigration with a visa on arrival, no embassy visits or lengthy paperwork required.
The Baku City Circuit is no ordinary track. It snakes through the narrow alleys of the UNESCO-listed Old City, where medieval walls loom just inches from the racing line, then explodes onto a 2.2-kilometer flat-out blast along the Caspian Sea. Drivers love it and fear it in equal measure. The castle section, between Turns 8 and 10, is one of the tightest stretches on the entire F1 calendar. One tiny mistake and you're kissing a wall that has stood for centuries.
This year's race lands on Saturday, September 26, a deliberate shift to avoid clashing with Azerbaijan's National Remembrance Day on September 27. It's a small change that speaks volumes about how the country balances its modern ambitions with deep-rooted traditions.
A decade of drama and glory
Since F1 first roared into Baku in 2016, the circuit has earned a reputation for chaos. Daniel Ricciardo carved through the field from 10th to win a wild 2017 race. Lewis Hamilton inherited victory in 2018 when Valtteri Bottas suffered a late puncture. Sergio Perez triumphed in the rain-soaked madness of 2021, Oscar Piastri delivered McLaren a stunning win in 2024, and Max Verstappen dominated 2025 with pole, victory, and fastest lap all to himself.
The contrast between the technical, twisty sections and the high-speed straights makes Baku a nightmare for engineers. Teams must find a setup that offers enough downforce for the castle complex without sacrificing top speed on the long run to Turn 1. It's a delicate balancing act that often produces unpredictable racing and plenty of overtakes.
More than just a race
The anniversary weekend promises to be a festival as much as a motorsport event. Katy Perry and Calvin Harris are set to headline the entertainment, and the F1 Fan Zone will keep the energy high between sessions. The official Baku City Circuit account has been teasing the celebrations, and the buzz is palpable.
Last time around, 76,000 fans packed the circuit, with 80% coming from abroad. Those international visitors dropped an average of €2,000 over the weekend, and nearly three-quarters said they'd be back. Azerbaijan is betting that the visa-on-arrival scheme will turn spontaneous decisions into lasting memories.
"F1 fans tend to decide late, and a visa issued on arrival against a ticket or accreditation means that spontaneous decision can become a weekend in Baku," said Florian Sengstschmid, CEO of the Azerbaijan Tourism Board. "That is where the lasting value lies for us: turning a three-day motorsport trip into a week in Azerbaijan, and a first-time visitor into a returning one."
How to get your visa on arrival
The process is refreshingly simple. You'll need to show one of the following at the border: an accreditation card from Formula One Management or the FIA, an accreditation card from Baku City Circuit Operations Company, or a ticket (including e-tickets) for the 2026 Baku Grand Prix. If you haven't bought a ticket yet, you can still apply for a standard e-visa through Azerbaijan's ASAN system or at an embassy.
General admission tickets start at €186, and they're still available. But the real value lies in extending your stay. Beyond the circuit, Baku offers the eternal flames of Yanar Dag, the intricate weavings of the Carpet Museum, and a food scene that blends Persian, Turkish, and Russian influences. For those who want to dig deeper, Azerbaijan is quietly becoming a wellness destination, with mud volcanoes, thermal springs, and mountain retreats that rival anything in the Caucasus. Here's why that's worth your attention.
If you're planning a bigger trip around the race, consider pairing it with other European adventures. The Netherlands is grinding to a halt on September 9, which might affect your travel plans. Check out our survival guide to avoid getting stuck. And if you're thinking about other F1 destinations, Zandvoort just hosted its final race, marking the end of an era. Read about where F1 met the beach.
Baku's anniversary race is more than a sporting event. It's a celebration of a city that has embraced speed, spectacle, and the unexpected. With visas on arrival, there's no excuse to miss it.
