Helicopter flight view of the Formula 1 Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal. Quebec, CanadagettyData shows that the Formula 1 fanbase has surged past 827 million globally with fans increasingly wanting to turn the race weekend into a travel experience. It’s not necessarily hard to do so with over twenty races spanning across five continents annually — but choosing the right city to check ‘experience a race weekend’ off your bucket list can be daunting.A new analysis from Fanatix has ranked each Grand Prix for this reason.
Ticket prices can range from around two hundred to over a thousand and the various destinations that host the races offer different pros and cons for travelers that should be taken into account as well. The analysis looked at things like affordability and accessibility as well as overall destination atmosphere to determine the best cities for fans.These are the top five cities to experience race weekend, according to the analysis:Melbourne, AustraliaAustralian Grand Prix Score: 7.91/10The Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne earned first place with a composite score of 7.91 out of ten. According to the analysis, the race at Albert Park earns a perfect score for both attendance and transport.
Melbourne also earned high marks as a destination thanks to its vibrant culture and excellent weather.Montreal, CanadaCanadian Grand Prix Score: 7.59/10Montreal earned second spot on the list with a composite score of 7.59 out of ten. The city stands out thanks to its accessibility and thrilling race track. It earned perfect scores for both attendance and airport access.
The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve has the highest overtaking score among the top five as well, so it’s not just the city that’s lively and full of surprises but the racing as well.Monza, ItalyItalian Grand Prix Score: 7.25/10Monza earns third place overall and serves as the first European destination to make the list. Monza drew over 369,000 attendees in 2025 and serves as one of the best spots in terms of ticket value. The analysis called it a classic Formula 1 experience that blends historic significance with a passionate fan base.Suzuka, JapanJapanese Grand Prix Score: 7.07/10The Japanese Grand Prix came in fourth with a composite score of 7.07.
It scored quite highly across most categories, especially in the attendance and ticket value categories. The transportation score and overtaking score were a bit lower than others in the top five but it’s still considered a standout destination for dedicated fans.Speilberg, AustriaAustrian Grand Prix Score: 6.99/10The Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring rounds out the top five with an overall score of 6.99 out of ten. Its known for its on-track excitement and accessibility and while the destination score isn’t quite as high as others on the list, the setting is picturesque and ideal for those looking to blend race weekend with historical monuments and nature.This article was originally published on Forbes.com