The Australian Grand Prix, Oscar Piastri’s home race, is set to eliminate its demand-based ticket pricing system starting with the 2026 season, marking a significant change for both fans and organizers. As part of Formula 1’s updated race calendar and ticket pricing announcement, the Melbourne event will now offer fixed-priced tickets to address long-standing concerns within the F1 community.
The demand-driven ticket prices have attracted criticism from supporters who argued the system was unfair and unpredictable. According to information from Speedcafe, this change will replace the fluctuating prices with set rates for all tickets from 2026. An Australian Grand Prix spokesperson confirmed the new approach by stating:
“We can share that demand-based pricing will not be utilised for 2026. All ticket prices are set and as listed on our website.”
The Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park has consistently been the season opener of the Formula 1 calendar, drawing massive crowds. The 2025 race attracted 465,498 attendees, and with the move to fixed ticket pricing, organizers anticipate even greater interest and attendance in future editions. Fans eager to secure their spots for the 2026 race can expect ticket sales to begin on September 10.
A New Grandstand Honors Oscar Piastri at the Melbourne GP
In another development, Oscar Piastri announced he will feature his own dedicated grandstand for the 2026 Australian Grand Prix, a first for the young McLaren driver. He revealed this exciting news through a video posted on his social media channels, expressing both surprise and pride.
At 24 years old and currently the only Australian on the F1 grid, Piastri explained that the grandstand would be located along the pit straight, enabling fans to see him even when he is in the garage. He shared:
“Hey everyone, I’ve got some very good news that I’d like to share with you all. Next year, at the Melbourne Grand Prix, I will be having my own Grandstand, which is pretty surreal. It still feels weird racing at home, but I’m still like at the level when I was a kid, the cars going round the track, me being one of the cars. You know what I’m saying. Yeah, very very cool, and very special to have my own Grandstand.”
“I’ll be on the pit straight and you should be able to see me in the garage and Grandstand. So that’ll be really cool, see you all in support, and there are some merch as well. There’s some bonus goodies in there for you. But yeah, had to share that, and really excited to have my own Grandstand. So thanks to everyone behind the scenes that’s worked on this, and all logistics involved, and thanks to everyone’s work in putting that together, and I can’t wait to see you all there in March. So, there you go, good news,” he concluded.
This move mirrors an arrangement previously given to Oscar’s McLaren teammate, Lando Norris, who had two grandstands dedicated to him during the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. Norris enjoyed strong fan support on that weekend, which concluded with him securing victory.
Looking Ahead: What This Means for Oscar Piastri and the Australian Grand Prix
Oscar Piastri hopes to translate the support from his dedicated grandstand into a breakthrough performance on home soil. Despite competing in three Australian Grand Prix events so far, he has yet to achieve a podium finish in front of local fans. The personalized grandstand could boost both visibility and fan engagement as he races in Melbourne in 2026.
Meanwhile, the abolition of the demand-based ticket pricing system signals a broader effort by Australian Grand Prix organizers to improve the fan experience and make the event more accessible. This change might encourage higher attendance levels and greater enthusiasm around the race each season.
With tickets for the 2026 Australian Grand Prix going on sale in September and Piastri’s grandstand set to debut, the event promises a distinctive and revitalized atmosphere that could positively impact both local supporters and the wider Formula 1 community.