Zandvoort tickets still available despite looming finale

The Dutch Grand Prix has not yet sold out, with organisers admitting demand is down as the Zandvoort event approaches its final years on the Formula 1 calendar.

Traditionally a guaranteed sell-out since its 2021 comeback, this season’s race - Verstappen’s home fixture - still has seats available in the week leading up to the action.

F1 extended the contract by just one extra year last season, meaning 2026 is currently set to be the last edition at the seaside circuit. Attendance exceeded 300,000 across the weekend in each of the first three years, before a decline to 275,000 in 2024.

This year, Algemeen Dagblad reports that thousands of tickets remain unsold, particularly for Friday, though organisers still anticipate full houses on Saturday and Sunday.

“In the first years, tickets were sold out earlier than now,” a circuit spokesman told the publication. “We have to be more active in selling them. But we expect that in 2026 the stands will definitely be packed to capacity.”

The dip comes as Verstappen faces his most difficult season in years, trailing in his unlikely attempt to secure a fifth consecutive world championship. By contrast, in Australia interest remains so strong that prices keep climbing.

The Age reports that Melbourne’s four-day general admission pass has risen to $385 - up 24% on last year, and more than double the $189 price of five years ago.

“It’s the ticketing system that’s ruining the GP for everybody,” one fan said. “The prices are ridiculous.”

Another complained: “It’s cheaper to fly to Singapore than go to Melbourne for F1.”

Australian Grand Prix Corporation chief Travis Auld defended the approach: “We’ve aimed to strike a balance between keeping tickets accessible while continuing to enhance the fan experience and respond to the record level of interest.”