Hotel occupancy in Madrid is nearly full for the Formula 1 Grand Prix (11-13 September) and prices have shot up by an average of 70%. Argentina leads international bookings, accounting for 15% of the total.
The first edition of the Spanish Grand Prix of Formula 1 at the Madring circuit, which will take place from 11 to 13 September, has pushed the capital to its limits: hotel occupancy is almost at capacity and average rates have surged by 70% compared to the same weekend last year, according to data from the hotel commerce platform SiteMinder collected by elobservador.com.uy.
The average daily rate reaches 485 euros, compared to 286 euros in 2025, although in many establishments prices have doubled or tripled. On the official Madring website, hotels associated with the event start at around 166 euros per night, and the rental of apartments in premium areas of the capital can reach 4,000 euros per night.
The demand is explained by the overlap of the Grand Prix with Shakira's world tour, Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour, which kicks off on 18 September, as explained by tourism companies in the Community of Madrid. The event will attract a high-spending audience: 80,000 of the tickets sold are for visitors, nearly half of whom are foreigners, and the expected average spending is 1,600 euros per person.
Data from Amadeus Travel Intelligence shows that Argentina is the leading source market, accounting for 15% of international bookings, largely due to the enthusiasm of fans wanting to support Argentine driver Franco Colapinto, who races for Alpine. Following are Mexico (11%), the United Kingdom (+46% in bookings), South Korea (+45%), France (+32%), and Uruguay (+31%).
As for tickets, general admission areas, such as Pelouse, are sold out. The grandstands on the main straight reach 1,540 euros, and curve 12, named La Monumental in homage to the Las Ventas bullring, has tickets ranging from 800 to 1,000 euros. The most expensive seats, in the Final Straight and Grid, offer a direct view of the start, the pits, and the podium.
The economic impact will be significant: tourism consumption linked to the event (accommodation, dining, and transport) could reach 90 million euros. Accommodation will channel 30% of the revenue, followed by leisure, commerce, and dining (25%) and transport (15%). In terms of activity, the Grand Prix represents 0.2% of the GDP of the Community of Madrid and 0.4% of the capital's output, with the creation of over 8,850 jobs in just three days.
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