Gran Premio de México 2026 attendance record, Digi Mart USA News (Mexico City, Mexico): The 2026 Mexico Grand Prix recorded a cumulative attendance of 405,363 spectators at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, according to a report from Central Municipal. The figure surpassed the 404,958 attendees recorded in 2024 and exceeded the 401,326 registered in 2025, when Mexico had no driver on the grid.
Attendance rose as the weekend progressed. Friday drew 102,122 people, Saturday brought 147,889 spectators, a record for that day, and Sunday recorded 155,352 attendees.
The event also marked the return of Sergio “Checo” Pérez to the Formula 1 grid, now representing Cadillac.
The record also reflects the history of Formula 1 in Mexico. The sport first competed in the country from 1963 to 1970, and its return in 1986 followed efforts led in part by Sandalio Sainz de la Maza, then head of sports promotion for the Federal District and the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.
Following the 1970 race, a crowd of roughly 200,000 attended, and some people entered restricted track areas, creating security problems and a 16-year pause.
Negotiations for the sport’s return began in December 1982, when Sainz de la Maza took over the sports promotion office. With the backing of President Miguel de la Madrid, he traveled to the Monaco Grand Prix to discuss Mexico’s reinstatement with Formula 1 and motorsport federation leaders.
Businessmen Julián and José Abed also took part, and José Abed founded the Organización Mexicana del Deporte Automovilístico Internacional in 1985 and led the organizing committee from 1986 to 1992.
The Formula 1 race returned to the Magdalena Mixhuca circuit on October 12, 1986, after a redesign that shortened the track to meet safety requirements. Gerhard Berger won that race for Benetton, Ayrton Senna took pole position, and Alain Prost finished second.
The second stage ended in 1992, and Mexico remained off the calendar for 23 years until the category returned in 2015.
The event also carries significant economic weight for Mexico City. According to the organizer, the Corporación Interamericana de Entretenimiento (CIE), the race generated 157,594 million pesos in economic impact and media exposure between 2015 and 2025, along with 93,175 jobs and a salary impact of 12,629 million pesos.
For 2026, the Canaco CDMX, led by Vicente Gutiérrez Camposeco, projected an economic impact of 22,228 million pesos, 6.5 percent above the previous projection. The final figure will be known once official results on economic activity linked to the 2026 Grand Prix are published.
