Garrix, Axwell and a Bahraini fanzone: How Bahrain is bringing its Grand Prix to Sepang
Concerts, a Bahraini culture fanzone, about 500 visiting marshals and a new Gulf Air route to KL will give the Sepang race a Gulf flavour.
The race at Sepang International Circuit next weekend may be in Malaysia, but its organisers want fans to know it is still the Bahrain Grand Prix. The Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) has outlined how it plans to bring the kingdom to Sepang, from two headline DJ sets to a fanzone about Bahraini culture and hundreds of marshals flown in from the Gulf.
Two big-name DJs
According to Bahrain's Gulf Daily News, Swedish DJ Axwell will perform on Saturday, 3 October. Dutch superstar Martin Garrix will headline on Sunday, 4 October, after the race. BIC's event overview also promises family entertainment on all three days, roaming performers and a range of food and drink.
A slice of Bahrain in Selangor
BIC chief executive Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa told the Gulf Daily News that the promoter had built Bahrain into the whole experience. "From a fan perspective, there are so many elements of Bahrain that we have incorporated into the overall experience, working alongside Team Bahrain," he said. Partners include the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority and title sponsor Gulf Air.
A dedicated fanzone will showcase Bahraini culture. The promoter sees the weekend as a chance to reach new fans in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia. "There will be tens of thousands of people who will get an exposure to Bahrain on the ground in Malaysia," Shaikh Salman said.
He also said that "ticket sales have been incredibly strong," and that "Malaysia itself will account for half the tickets sold". That is a clear sign that local fans have turned out for F1's first visit to Sepang since 2017.
500 Bahraini marshals
Much of the work on the ground will be done by visitors. About 500 Bahraini marshals are due to work alongside their Malaysian counterparts, the Gulf Daily News reported. Malaysia's Youth and Sports Ministry has separately said that 500 local volunteers had been identified for training.
The weather will be different from what the Bahraini crews are used to. "Whilst in Bahrain we are used to the dry heat, Sepang can get quite humid and rain is always a threat," Shaikh Salman noted.
A new direct flight to Kuala Lumpur
Gulf Air, the race's title sponsor, is adding Kuala Lumpur to its network in time for the race. Bookings opened in August for flights starting on 29 September. Airline CEO Martin Gauss said at the time that "adding Kuala Lumpur as a permanent destination further strengthens our network and supports year-round connectivity between Bahrain, Malaysia, and beyond."
Route-tracking site AeroRoutes reports the service will use Boeing 787-9 aircraft. The plan is up to five nonstop flights a week between Bahrain and KL until 7 October, then three a week, then daily flights via Singapore from late October.
Looking ahead to 2027
For Bahrain, the Sepang weekend is also about the future. Organisers hope fans who discover the race in Malaysia will travel to Sakhir for the 2027 Bahrain Grand Prix, scheduled for 12 to 14 March. That race is set to be the season opener and the kingdom's first sprint weekend.
Key takeaways
- Axwell performs at Sepang on Saturday, 3 October, and Martin Garrix on Sunday, 4 October.
- The Bahrain International Circuit is setting up a fanzone about Bahraini culture, plus family entertainment.
- About 500 Bahraini marshals will work with Malaysian officials.
- BIC's CEO says ticket sales are strong and that Malaysia will account for half of all tickets sold.
- Gulf Air's new Bahrain–Kuala Lumpur route starts on 29 September.
FAQ
Are the concerts included in the race ticket? BIC lists the concerts as part of the race weekend entertainment. Check the terms of your ticket category with the official ticketing platform before you go.
Who is organising the race at Sepang? The Bahrain International Circuit is the promoter. It works with Malaysian authorities and Sepang International Circuit, which hosts the event.
When does Gulf Air start flying to Kuala Lumpur? The route starts on 29 September 2026, days before the race weekend.
Sources: Gulf Daily News, Bahrain International Circuit, Zawya, AeroRoutes, Malay Mail