The “Formula 1” race in Bahrain is no longer just a global sporting event organized annually, but rather has turned into an economic and tourism phenomenon that clearly reflects the Kingdom’s capabilities and its ability to make smart benefit from major events.
In the 2025 version, the number 105,000 spectators during the three race days were not just a dry statistic, but rather a message confirming that Bahrain has become a first -class mass destination.
More than 37.7 thousand fans attended the main race day alone, compared to 37 thousand in 2024, 36 thousand in 2023, and 35 thousand in 2022. The cumulative presence increased gradually from 98 thousand in 2022, to 99.5 thousand in 2023, then 100 thousand in 2024, to the record number this year.
The numbers speak for themselves, as there is an escalating momentum, confidence renewed, and an event grows year after year, and this remarkable growth did not come from a vacuum, it is the result of systematic work, a long -term investment in infrastructure, organization and services, and the most important in building a solid international reputation for Bahrain as a small country of its size, large with its impact.
“Formula 1” is not just a race, but a global platform that broadcasts to millions of followers, and attracts a qualitative audience from different countries of the world, these people not only come to follow a race, but they carry with them the potential of spending, consumption and discovery, which can turn into real opportunities for the tourist and commercial sectors in the country.
The success of “Formula 1” would not have been achieved without coordination between the different parties, but the private sector is today required to enter strongly on the line of benefit, from airline, to hotels, to restaurants, to tourist companies, everyone is concerned with converting this presence into a return.
The success of the organization is clear, hotels are full, tourist occupancy, and the comprehensive experience of the visitor is improving, and with the McLaren team winning the first position on the land of Bahrain, the momentum of the event increased in the media and publicly.
Why is the race not a gateway to major promotional campaigns? Why does Bahrain not turn during the “Formula 1” week into a platform for its culture, heritage and tourism experience? The tourist who is visiting today for the race may return tomorrow for beaches, arts, markets, or even investment.
We have succeeded in reaching a record in the number of visitors, but the real challenge begins now, and how do we make the spectator, a permanent visitor?
