Race and city
For a few weeks the centre of the capital changes its geometry: streets become a circuit, the waterfront becomes grandstands and the usual routes become detours.
The city inside the ring
The track runs along streets that live an ordinary life the rest of the year: Neftchilar Avenue, Azadliq Square, the blocks by Government House and the walls of İçərişəhər. Before the round they are closed and fitted with barriers, fencing and temporary grandstands, and afterwards everything is dismantled.
For spectators this is a rare opportunity: the grandstands stand by the sea and beside the fortress wall, and between sessions you can walk to the Old City or the boulevard in ten minutes. For residents of the centre it means weeks of restrictions.
In 2024 more than 76 thousand spectators came to the track, and according to the organisers 86 million people watched the live broadcast. By 2025 two more grandstands were planned, taking capacity beyond twenty thousand seats.
What gets closed
The ring cuts part of the centre off from ordinary traffic: the waterfront, sections of Neftchilar Avenue and the approaches to Azadliq Square are shut. Public transport changes its routes during the weekend and some stops are relocated.
The restrictions start well before the race and are not lifted at once: assembling and dismantling the temporary structures takes weeks.
And what the city gets
The Grand Prix is the country's largest sporting event and the main driver of inbound tourism in September: hotels in the centre fill up, and the television picture with the Maiden Tower and the Flame Towers travels around the world.
The circuit does not work for Formula 1 alone: a Formula 2 round is held on the same weekend, and the site remains a venue for city events.
Worth knowing in advance
Residents complain about congestion: the closed sections are not designed for the redirected flow, and ground transport is best avoided on race days.
During the round entry to the centre is limited and some routes from neighbouring towns are rerouted.
Free practice, qualifying and the race run from Friday; inside the ring the residential blocks hear everything.
Hotels in the centre are booked in advance and weekend prices rise — plan a trip months ahead.
Panoramas of the Old City, the boulevard and the Flame Towers reach a broadcast watched by tens of millions.
The weekend programme includes a Formula 2 round and support series, so there are cars on track for most of the day.
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Sources
Facts were checked against Wikipedia articles on the Baku City Circuit, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix and the individual races (2016–2025), and against the 2026 season calendar. Results and records are current as of 18 August 2026.