Best Seats at the 2026 Australian Grand Prix: Complete Grandstand Guide

What are the Best Seats at the 2026 Australian Grand Prix?

If you are going to Albert Park, you must identify as one of two types of spectator: the F1 fan who wants to follow the strategy (start line, pit lane, final corners) or the one who wants all the racing action (braking zones, direction changes, anywhere a driver can realistically SEND IT).

The best spot depends on your ticket type and what you’re actually there to see because the row height matters more here than at most tracks. If you sit too low in some grandstands, you’ll watch the entire race through wires.

The Circuit in 2026

The track was reworked in 2022 and those changes are still here. The old chicane at Turns 9-10 was removed entirely, it now has a 1.3km stretch where cars exceed 330km/h. Turn 11 was expanded from 12 to 15 metres with a more straight revision, now a late braking overtaking zone. Turn 3 gained four metres of width and added positive camber for multiple lines through what’s become one of the best passing spots on the circuit.

New for 2026: a pedestrian overpass near Gate 1 that triples the old crossing capacity and better pontoon access across the lake. Also, The Clubhouse: a new elevated viewing platform overlooking Turn 8 with tiered seating, a garden lounge and dedicated bar. Tickets for The Clubhouse sold out immediately.

The new F1 regulations bring active aerodynamics to replace DRS but the overtaking principles are still unchanged:long straights with heavy braking still create opportunities.

General Admission (Park Pass)

Albert Park is one of the best GA experiences on the calendar as Park Pass holders can move freely around the circuit. The challenge is finding the elevated ground because flat fence-side spots get you close but leave you staring through mesh.

Brocky’s Hill (Turns 9-11 Area)

The premium GA spot. One of the few places where you can set up a picnic blanket or camping chair and actually see over the crowd. From here you’ll watch cars coming down the back straight at full speed before the high-speed Turns 11-12 section. There’s a large screen visible beside the Waite Grandstand plus a fan zone nearby for food & drinks.

Regulars who’ve been coming for years keep returning here. The catch is everyone knows about it:get there early on Sunday or you’ll be watching from the back.

Turn 2 Interior

Elevated viewing platforms on the inside of Turn 2 with great sightlines to opening lap battles. The chaos at Turn 1 often continues through here as drivers sort themselves out.

Turn 3 GA Zone

Opposite the Hill and Ricciardo grandstands. Tight, busy and crowded but you’re watching one of the legitimate passing spots because cars arrive under hard braking after a DRS zone and the corner creates multiple lines.

Far Side of the Lake (Turns 8-10)

Quieter spots exist between Turns 8-9 or 9-10. Cars flying past with the lake and Melbourne skyline behind them. Lower crowds, different atmosphere:bring a picnic.

GA Tips

• •Use Friday to walk the full circuit and test positions
• •The floating bridge across Albert Park Lake connects opposite sides of the track and saves serious walking time
• •Bring a portable FM radio tuned to 98.5FM for live commentary
• •Consider F1 TV for phone coverage during quiet periods
• •Pack your own food:vendors have long queues and high prices
• •Water and soft drinks are allowed in, alcohol isn’t, glass bottles are banned

Grandstand Guide

Turn 1/2: Jones, Brabham and Moss

This is where the lap one action happens. Turn 1 was expanded by 2.5 metres for more of the funnel effect but still delivers chaos on race starts.

Jones Grandstand

Outside of Turn 1. Six sections:Section A is a five-row section closest to the start/finish line (rows A-E only). Sections B-F are larger with rows running A to S (no row I or O).

Best seats: Section C, rows M-S in line with the Turn 1 apex for a good sightline through Turn 2. Higher rows let you see over the safety fence. Lower rows put you closer but with fencing dominating your view.

Brabham Grandstand

Inside of Turns 1-2. Eight sections (A-H), rows A-V (no row I or O). Access requires crossing the pedestrian bridge near Gate 1.

Best seats: Top five rows (R-V). The higher vantage point makes a pretty big difference here:lower down you get a narrower field of view and more fence obstruction.

Moss Grandstand

Budget option for Turn 1. Named after Stirling Moss, positioned on the outside of the main straight just before the first corner. Three sections (A-C), rows A-N.

The stand is small and no rows are high enough to fully clear the debris fencing:that’s the tradeoff for the lower price.

Turn 3: Hill and Ricciardo

Turn 3 is where the 2022 modifications paid off most. The widening and camber changes created a proper passing zone with multiple lines available.

Hill Grandstand

Outside of Turn 3. Named after Damon Hill, the first winner at Melbourne in 1996. You get a front-on view as cars come down the short straight into the corner. Sit as far right and as high as possible.

Ricciardo Grandstand

Inside between Turns 3-4. Sections A-H with rows going up the stand. Sections A-D have covered premium seating at the rear. Generally better views than Hill and some weather protection:but it costs more.

Mid-Sector: Stewart

Exit of Turn 5, one of the closest stands to the track. You’ll see cars take Turn 5 nearly flat, with a large screen opposite.

Turn 6 underwent safety modifications for 2025 after George Russell’s dramatic crash in 2024. Kerbing was reworked, barriers extended and pushed back. Still a high-commitment corner where drivers carry over 220km/h.

High-Speed Section: Button, Clark and Waite

This is where cars reach maximum speed on the 1.3km stretch that replaced the old chicane.

Button Grandstand

Outside Turn 8, where cars are accelerating toward top speed. Rows L and above give a wider view over the fence. One of the cheaper stands:tickets often sell out fast.

Clark Grandstand

Covers Turns 8-9. Named after Jim Clark. Albert Park Lake directly in front, Melbourne skyline to the right:visually impressive backdrop. Rows H and above in Sections A-C are best.

Waite Grandstand

Outside the fast switchback at Turns 9-10. Named after Arthur Waite, winner of the first Australian Grand Prix in 1928. One of the most popular stands:you see speed plus actual cornering commitment. This is where Verstappen passed Hamilton around the outside in 2023.

Four sections (A-D), completely uncovered. There is no shade, so pack accordingly.

Turn 11: Vettel and Webber

Turn 11 sits at the end of the longest straight. Cars arrive after the 330km/h run and brake hard into a 90-degree right-hander.

Vettel Grandstand

Outside Turn 11 (formerly The Pinnacles). Lower rows actually work better here:higher seats have their view of the approach blocked by trees. Middle to lower rows give you the preceding straight and corner entry.

Webber Grandstand

Inside Turn 11. Budget-friendly option with the lake behind you and food/drink stalls nearby. The 2022 expansion made this a more legitimate overtaking spot.

Final Corners: Prost and Schumacher

Pit-lane territory. If strategy, start-finish views and final-lap moments are more important to you than racing action, this is your section.

Prost Grandstand

Curves around the outside of Turn 14. Best seats: Sections A-D, rows P and above. The pit lane entry sits opposite, so you’ll see when drivers peel off for strategy stops. Considered one of the best value grandstands on the circuit.

Schumacher Grandstand

Between Turns 15-16, adjacent to pit lane entry. Premium section has grown for 2026. Sections F-G give the best final-corner views.

Main Straight: Piastri, Fangio and Senna

Piastri Grandstand

New for 2026, named after Oscar Piastri. This is where you watch the lights go out. Sections B-C put you directly opposite the podium and start/finish line. Four-day seats start at $1,045 AUD:the most expensive ticket on the circuit.

Fangio Grandstand

Traditional main straight option. To see into the pit lane clearly, you want row K or higher. Section B is right next to the start/finish line and almost directly opposite the podium.

Senna Grandstand

Clear pit lane views:though note that F1 garages sit toward the far end (near pit exit), not directly opposite this stand. Cheaper than Prost or Fangio.

Seating Quick Reference

Grandstands where higher rows are better:

• •Jones: Rows M-S in Section C
• •Brabham: Rows R-V (top five rows)
• •Prost: Rows P and above, Sections A-D
• •Button: Rows L and above, Sections C-D
• •Clark: Rows H and above, Sections A-C
• •Fangio/Piastri: Row K and above
• •Schumacher/Senna: Rows M and above

The exception: Vettel Grandstand:lower-to-middle rows work better. Trees block the approach view from higher seats.

2026 Pricing (AUD)

Park Pass (General Admission)

• •4-day: $385
• •Thursday only: from $40 (juniors under 14 free)
• •Sunday only: $210

Grandstands (4-day seats)

• •Entry-level stands: from $690
• •Piastri: $1,045 (Premium: $1,160)
• •Fangio/Prost: up to $825
• •Aisle seats: add $25

Premium (covered) seating exists in Fangio, Piastri, Prost, Ricciardo, Schumacher and Senna grandstands.

Tickets went on sale September 10, 2025. Most grandstand tickets sold out within hours.

What Do You Actually Want?

• •First time, want flexibility: Park Pass. Get to Brocky’s Hill early on Sunday.
• •Maximum overtaking and lap-one chaos: Jones or Brabham (Turn 1-2), or Hill/Ricciardo (Turn 3)
• •Classic braking zone with late dive attempts: Turn 11:Vettel tends to get the edge over Webber
• •Pit strategy and main-straight theatre: Prost for the best balance, or Piastri for the start-line experience
• •Raw speed: Button or Clark at Turn 8, or Waite at Turns 9-10
• •Tight budget but want grandstand seating: Moss (Turn 1) or Webber (Turn 11)

Getting Around

The new overpass near Gate 1 helps with crowd flow. The floating bridge across the lake connects opposite sides of the circuit and saves significant walking time. Download the race guide app!

• •Gate 5: Best for Turn 8 stands and The Clubhouse
• •Gate 1: Best for Turn 1-2 grandstands
• •Gate 3: Best for Turn 3 area