Barcelona is set to ignite with Formula 1 fever as the Barcelona Fan Festival returns in grand style ahead of the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix, scheduled for May 30 to June 1 at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Announced on May 12, 2025, by event organizers and the Barcelona City Council, the week-long festival will run from May 24 to May 31, transforming the heart of the city into a vibrant celebration of motorsport. With a Fan Village at Plaça Catalunya, a thrilling Road Show, and a Fans Forum, the event promises to bring fans closer to the high-octane world of F1 than ever before.
The Fan Village, located in the iconic Plaça Catalunya, will serve as the festival’s centerpiece. Open daily, it will feature an array of attractions designed to immerse visitors in the F1 experience. Expect to see authentic F1 cars on display, alongside replicas of pit boxes, podiums, and trophies. Fans can test their skills with pit stop simulations, browse official F1 merchandise, and enjoy live entertainment on a stage equipped with a giant screen broadcasting key moments, including the Grand Prix qualifying session. Evening concerts will keep the energy high, with music filling the square as the city gears up for race weekend. In 2024, the Fan Village drew around 120,000 attendees, and organizers anticipate an even larger turnout this year, fueled by the festival’s growing reputation.
The highlight of the festival is the Road Show, scheduled for May 28, 2025, along the elegant Passeig de Gràcia. Starting at 6:00 p.m., current F1 drivers will take to the streets, piloting their cars at speeds up to 100 km/h in a breathtaking display of precision and power. Last year, Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, a local favorite, electrified the crowd with his performance, joined by Alpine’s reserve driver Jack Doohan. The 2025 lineup remains under wraps, but fans are eager to see which stars will roar through Barcelona’s emblematic avenues. Following the Road Show, a Fans Forum from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Fan Village will give attendees a chance to hear from drivers, offering insights into the sport and the upcoming race.
The festival’s return is a collaborative effort, with the Barcelona City Council intensifying its partnership with the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya to elevate the event. David Escudé, Barcelona’s City Councillor for Sports, emphasized the city’s ambition to cement its status as a global hub for sporting events. “Barcelona is one of the best cities in the world to organize and host sporting events, and we support this project wholeheartedly,” he said. The 2024 festival caused significant traffic disruptions, particularly from June 18 to 20, and similar restrictions are expected this year, with alterations to bus routes and pedestrian access around Passeig de Gràcia and intersecting streets like Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes. Organizers are working to minimize inconvenience while ensuring safety during the high-adrenaline Road Show.
Beyond the festival, the Spanish Grand Prix itself remains a cornerstone of the F1 calendar. The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, built for the 1992 Olympics, is renowned for its challenging mix of high- and low-speed corners, with recent upgrades like the removal of the final chicane in 2023 enhancing its appeal. The 2025 race, the ninth round of the season, will feature support races from Formula 2, Formula 3, and Porsche Supercup, adding to the weekend’s excitement. A pit lane walk on Thursday, May 29, will offer 3,000 fans a chance to get up close to the cars, though tickets, available from May 7, are expected to sell out quickly.
The Fan Festival also underscores Barcelona’s allure as a destination. With its rich culture, world-class cuisine, and landmarks like the Sagrada Familia and Camp Nou, the city offers fans a perfect blend of racing and leisure. Visitors can explore the Gothic Quarter, relax on Barceloneta Beach, or savor tapas at local haunts, making the Grand Prix weekend a full holiday experience. With an estimated 292,488 attendees and an economic impact of $20.5 million projected for 2025, the event is a boon for the local economy.