(GMM) Max Verstappen is now attracting such enormous crowds away from Formula 1 that organizers of this weekend’s Nurburgring 24 Hours are warning fans not to travel without tickets.
With Formula 1 currently in another calendar pause following the cancelled Bahrain and Saudi Arabian grands prix – and amid continuing controversy over the 2026 regulations – much of the spotlight is shifting to Verstappen’s highly anticipated Nordschleife outing aboard a Mercedes-AMG GT3.
Demand has exploded – for the first time in the event’s history, all weekend tickets have sold out completely.
Fans are swarming to the 24 Hours of Nurburgring this weekend to see the greatest driver in the world – Max Verstappen – pictured here performing at ADAC Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie on the 21th of March 2026, photographed by Gruppe C GmbH / Red Bull Content Pool NLS2: 58. Barbarossapreis, Nürburgring-Nordschleife 2026 – Foto: Gruppe C Photography // Gruppe C GmbH / Red Bull Content Pool //
Saturday day tickets are also now gone, while organizers say even remaining allocations for other days are disappearing rapidly.
There were already major traffic jams around the Nurburgring on Monday morning as fans rushed to secure camping spots days before the event officially begins.
“One would think that a racetrack 25.378 kilometers long would offer enough space for all the fans,” Auto Motor und Sport marveled.
“However, the hype surrounding Formula 1 superstar Max Verstappen is causing the Nordschleife to burst at the seams.”
The organizers have now taken unprecedented measures.
“The ticket office will not open on Saturday,” the German publication continued.
“Anyone who arrives at the Nurburgring without a ticket will be turned away at the entrances.”
Officials are urging fans to arrive early and travel in carpools to reduce pressure on the narrow access roads around the Eifel circuit.
“The reasons for the necessary limit are primarily due to the limited capacity of parking spaces and camping areas,” the report explained.
Race director Walter Hornung admitted organizers have never seen anything like it.
“We are naturally delighted by the huge response from both long-time and new fans, who have practically overwhelmed us this year,” he said.
“At the same time, we are of course working closely with the Nurburgring and the authorities to ensure an orderly and safe experience for all visitors.”
“Therefore, for the first time in the more than 50-year history of the 24h Nurburgring, we have had to limit the number of tickets.”
Verstappen will share the Red Bull-branded Mercedes-AMG GT3 with Daniel Juncadella, Jules Gounon and Lucas Auer.
#3 Mercedes-AMG Team Verstappen Racing, Mercedes AMG GT3 EVO: Max Verstappen, Daniel Juncadella (L), Jules Gounon (R). Photo courtesy of MaxVerstappen.com
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Nürburgring 24 Hours schedule
Date
Event
BST (Local) Time
US Eastern Time (EDT)
Thursday, May 14
Qualifying 1
12:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
7:15 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.
Thursday, May 14
Qualifying 2
7:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
2:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Friday, May 15
Top Qualifying 1
9:15 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.
4:15 a.m. – 4:45 a.m.
Friday, May 15
Top Qualifying 2
10:05 a.m. – 10:35 a.m.
5:05 a.m. – 5:35 a.m.
Friday, May 15
Qualifying 3
11:00 a.m. – 12:05 p.m.
6:00 a.m. – 7:05 a.m.
Friday, May 15
Top Qualifying 3
12:35 p.m. – 1:35 p.m.
7:35 a.m. – 8:35 a.m.
Saturday, May 16
Warm-up
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
4:00 a.m. – 5:00 a.m.
Saturday, May 16
Starting Lineup
11:45 a.m. – 1:40 p.m.
6:45 a.m. – 8:40 a.m.
Saturday, May 16
Open Grid
12:10 p.m. – 1:10 p.m.
7:10 a.m. – 8:10 a.m.
Saturday, May 16
Formation Round
1:40 p.m.
8:40 a.m.
Saturday, May 16
Race Start
2:00 p.m.
9:00 a.m.
Sunday, May 17
Race Finish
2:00 p.m.
9:00 a.m.
Notes:
– Times are local to the Nürburgring event.
– US Eastern Time conversions assume EDT (daylight saving time in effect in May).
– Single-time events (Formation Round, Race Start, Race Finish) are point-in-time moments.
How to watch
The official Nürburgring and Red Bull TV YouTube channels will be covering the weekend live for free. See our full weekend TV schedule.