Forget Just Racing — The Australian Grand Prix is now the hottest festival in Australia!

Opinion piece written by Mali Seward

How did the Australian Grand Prix get a record crowd of 465,498 people? Surely not everyone wants to watch cars drive round in a weirdly shaped circle for four days in a row?

I wanted to find out what all the fuss was about with the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix and how they are attracting record-breaking crowds of over 465,000 people. So, I went all four days to find out—and yeah, it’s way more than just racing.

Since the Aus GP was cancelled in 2020, the event has seen increasing crowd numbers with masses turning up each year, packing out Albert Park and gaining more and more attention from everyday Aussies looking for a fun weekend out. When attending the GP, I had tickets on the Fangio main straight grandstand, where I was able to hear the screaming sound of engines but also see into the teams’ garages and watch them make pit stops during the races, and with the bass thumping from the lakeside stage, the whole weekend felt like a motorsport meets music festival. 

​The key additions to this year’s event were the incorporation of the Albert Park ‘precincts.’ Adding ‘precincts’ to the fold made the whole atmosphere feel much more catered to everyone, making specifically tailored zones for everyone's different interests. This was, in my opinion, the Aus GP's key ingredient in attracting more people through the gates. Whether it was the ‘lakeside stage,’ where performers like Baker Boy and Fatboy Slim headlined throughout the weekend where the energy was unreal, or ‘motorsport straight,’ where the supercar and Porsche Carrera Cup cars were stationed, allowing fans to get up close to the cars, adding incredible engagement for motorsport fans throughout the weekend. The ‘Junction’ area, which consisted of top food restaurants like MoVida and The Esplanade, as well as a wide range of seating and big screens to enjoy all the on-track action. And lastly, ‘Pit Stop Park,’ where there was everything from paddle tennis and Lego to even a Ferris wheel. There were plenty of great activities for anyone – of any age - to enjoy. As well as the fun activities, there were a wide range of companies educating and engaging younger audiences about careers in motorsport and beyond. 

​As for ticketing options and prices, the Aus GP has a wide range of options, such as general admission, which sets you back $300 for a Thursday-Sunday pass and as cheap as $45 for a one-day Thursday pass. The GA option is best for people that want to enjoy the party of Albert Park, as well as great opportunities to get a spot on the Melbourne Walk where you see all drivers and crew walk in for the day (side note, you need to be ready for an early wake up!). If you want a good view of all the on track action, this is where grandstands come in, giving you the best view of the track as well as big screens and commentary right at your fingertips. These start from $130 for a Friday pass and go up to $750 for a 4-day top-view grandstand, with my Fangio Grandstand costing $625 for the 4 days with options for under cover seating for an extra $220 per person. With ticket prices getting more expensive across all sporting events, the Aus GP is one of the events that fully justifies their high prices, because now you’re not just getting cars; you’re getting a booming partying festival with cars. 

Throughout the 2024 event, the Aus GP asked fans what necessary changes were needed for the 2025 event with shade, toilets, and more food vendors at the top of the list. During my time at this year’s 2025 event, I’m happy to say I certainly noticed a significant increase in all of the above. In fact, event organisers claim they added 55% more shade for the 2025 event, which I was hoping they would be able to back it up. These areas were much needed in the 36C heat (on the Saturday) and even more necessary for the 26mm of rain that came Sunday. They absolutely delivered. With the creation of these new shaded areas and food areas right next door, sitting down and having a meal could not be easier at this year’s event.

If you’re second-guessing attending the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, I can 100% say -with certainty - anyone who comes will find something to enjoy throughout the event. Whether you’re making the trip from Perth, overseas, or elsewhere, it is fully worth the effort put into it, and when you see for yourself what the Australian Grand Prix has to offer, you’ll be coming back for more every year.