Last updated: 8 October 2026. Dates and transport checked against Formula 1, GITEX, Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai Media Office, RTA, Etihad Rail and Visit Abu Dhabi.
The 2026 Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix runs from 4 to 6 December 2026 at Yas Marina Circuit on Yas Island, with the race on Sunday 6 December. GITEX Global 2026 follows straight after in Dubai: the GITEX Summit on 7 December at Dubai World Trade Centre, then the exhibition from 8 to 11 December at Expo City Dubai. The two cities are linked by road, intercity bus and, since 30 September 2026, Etihad Rail passenger trains.
Dates and venues at a glance
| Event | Dates (2026) | Venue | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi Grand Prix | 4 to 6 December, race Sunday 6 December | Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi | Confirmed on the F1 calendar |
| GITEX Global Summit | 7 December | Sheikh Maktoum Hall, Dubai World Trade Centre | Confirmed |
| GITEX Global Expo | 8 to 11 December | Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo City Dubai | Confirmed |
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: 4 to 6 December 2026
The official 2026 Formula 1 calendar lists the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as Round 23, the final round of the season, on 4 to 6 December 2026. Yas Marina Circuit says tickets are on sale and points visitors to the event site, abudhabigp.com, for schedules and logistics.
The race keeps its original date. On 3 October 2026, F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali said the series would stick to its original calendar and that, based on assurances received, the final two races would be held in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, as reported by TheJudge13 from an interview with Sky Sport Italia. The 2026 calendar on formula1.com shows Abu Dhabi as scheduled.
GITEX Global: 7 to 11 December 2026
GITEX Global gives its 2026 dates as 7 to 11 December 2026 in Dubai: the Summit on 7 December and the Expo on 8 to 11 December. This is a move from the show's usual October slot.
The Dubai Media Office announced on 8 October 2025 that the 8 to 11 December exhibition moves to the Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City Dubai, after decades at Dubai World Trade Centre.
The opening day stays in the city center: Dubai World Trade Centre lists the GITEX Global Summit on 7 December 2026 in Sheikh Maktoum Hall. If you attend both, plan two different journeys: Dubai World Trade Centre on day one, Expo City Dubai for the four expo days.
Getting to Yas Island and the circuit
Zayed International Airport (AUH) is the closest airport to the circuit. Yas Island puts the island 15 minutes by road from the airport, and Visit Abu Dhabi says it is around 10 minutes by taxi.
Visit Abu Dhabi lists pre-booked transfers at around AED 99 to 200, public taxis, Careem and Uber, and the A1 airport bus to the Central Bus Station for AED 4. Abu Dhabi public buses take a Hafilat smart card.
On the island, the Yas Express shuttle is free and links Yas Island hotels, theme parks and leisure sites. Yas Island lists the drive from Abu Dhabi city at 25 minutes and from Dubai's airport at 75 minutes.
Race weekend shuttles, park and ride sites and road closures for 2026 had not been published on a page we could read on 8 October 2026. Check abudhabigp.com closer to the race.
Getting to Expo City Dubai and Dubai World Trade Centre
For the expo days, the Dubai Metro Red Line runs to Expo 2020 station at Expo City Dubai on Route 2020, the Red Line branch whose Expo 2020 station opened on 1 June 2021. Since 15 April 2024, RTA runs direct trains toward Expo 2020, so riders no longer change at Jabal Ali. Take a train signed for Expo 2020, not one for UAE Exchange.
For the Summit on 7 December, Dubai World Trade Centre is in central Dubai on Sheikh Zayed Road. Expect heavy traffic on show days and allow extra time whichever way you travel.
Doing both: Abu Dhabi to Dubai
Etihad Rail passenger trains between Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Fujairah began on 30 September 2026, with fares from AED 39 in Comfort Class and AED 109 in Premium Class, booked in the Etihad Rail app, on its website or at station machines. Dubai Station is connected to Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station, on the Route 2020 branch, by a pedestrian bridge. The Abu Dhabi station is Mohammed Bin Zayed City Station, so you still need a taxi or bus between the station and Yas Island.
By bus, RTA's Route E101 runs from Ibn Battuta Bus Station in Dubai to the Central Bus Station in Abu Dhabi. Check the current timetable before you travel.
Regional situation and flights
Some airlines have changed or suspended UAE flights in 2026 because of the regional security situation. For which airlines are affected and the official UK and US travel advice, read Flying to Dubai or Abu Dhabi in late 2026, and recheck your airline and government advice before you fly.
Staying connected
Both events lean on your phone. Your Grand Prix ticket, GITEX badge and event apps load on your phone at the gate, and you will want Careem, Uber or RTA's apps working when the crowd leaves at once. Large crowds in one place can slow mobile networks, so save your e-tickets to your phone's wallet or as screenshots before you arrive, and agree a fixed meeting point with your group in case messages are slow.
A travel eSIM gives you mobile data from landing at AUH or DXB, without a local SIM counter. It is data only, and it does not change UAE rules: VoIP calling restrictions in the UAE apply on an eSIM exactly as on any other connection. Our eSIM guide for Dubai and the UAE covers the networks and those calling rules. Check first that your phone supports eSIM, then set it up on iPhone or Android before your flight.
Compare our UAE eSIM plans and install one before you fly.
FAQ
When is the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2026?
The 2026 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix runs from 4 to 6 December 2026 at Yas Marina Circuit, with the race on Sunday 6 December. It is the final round of the 2026 Formula 1 season.
Is the 2026 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix still going ahead?
Yes, as of 8 October 2026. Abu Dhabi is on the official F1 calendar for 4 to 6 December, and F1's chief executive said on 3 October 2026 that the final two races, in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, will go ahead as planned.
Where and when is GITEX Global 2026?
GITEX Global 2026 runs from 7 to 11 December 2026 in Dubai. The Summit is on 7 December at Dubai World Trade Centre, and the Expo is on 8 to 11 December at Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo City Dubai.
How do I get to Expo City Dubai by metro?
Take the Dubai Metro Red Line toward Expo 2020 and get off at Expo 2020 station. Since April 2024 these trains run directly, with no change at Jabal Ali.
How far is Yas Marina Circuit from Abu Dhabi airport?
Yas Island is about 10 to 15 minutes by road from Zayed International Airport, according to Visit Abu Dhabi and Yas Island. Taxis, Careem, Uber and pre-booked transfers all serve the route.
Can I travel between Abu Dhabi and Dubai by train for both events?
Yes. Etihad Rail passenger services between Abu Dhabi and Dubai started on 30 September 2026, from Mohammed Bin Zayed City Station in Abu Dhabi to Dubai Station, which links to Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station. Fares start at AED 39.
Facts checked on 8 October 2026 against formula1.com, yasmarinacircuit.com, yasisland.com, visitabudhabi.ae, gitex.com, dwtc.com, mediaoffice.ae, rta.ae and etihadrail.ae. Race weekend transport for 2026 was not yet published, and event plans can change at short notice, so recheck official pages before you travel.