If you’re hunting for Emilia Romagna Grand Prix tickets, you’ve probably realized by now that the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari—better known as Imola—is a totally different beast compared to the modern, paved-over parking lots of Miami or Las Vegas. It’s tight. It’s hilly.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a chaotic masterpiece.
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Most fans make the mistake of thinking a "Grandstand" ticket is always better than General Admission here. Or they assume the "Main Straight" is the only place to see anything. That’s just not true. Because the track is built into the natural landscape of the Santerno river valley, the elevation changes create sightlines you won't find anywhere else on the calendar. But if you buy the wrong seat, you might spend three days staring at a catch fence or a very expensive tree.
Finding the right Emilia Romagna Grand Prix tickets for 2026
The 2026 race is scheduled for May 15–17, and let’s be real: the demand is going to be absurd. This is Ferrari’s backyard. The "Tifosi" don't just show up; they transform the place into a sea of red smoke and chanting.
If you want to be part of that, you need to understand the tiers. You’ve basically got three choices.
General Admission (Prato) This is the cheapest way in. Usually, these tickets start around €90–€120 for single days or roughly €150 for the weekend. But "Prato" at Imola isn't like sitting in a field. If you get a spot at Prato Rivazza, you’re on a steep grassy hill overlooking the most famous braking zone on the track. You’ll need to arrive at 6:00 AM to claim your patch of dirt.
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Grandstand (Tribuna) Prices for these usually swing between €300 and €850 depending on the view.
- Start/Partenza: Great for the grid walk and the podium. These are the "prestige" seats.
- Tosa: This is where the magic happens. It's a hairpin at the bottom of a hill. The cars scream toward you, anchor the brakes, and then blast uphill toward Piratella.
- Acque Minerali: If you want to see what an F1 car is actually capable of, sit here. It’s a fast, technical sequence that separates the good drivers from the greats.
VIP & Hospitality The Paddock Club at Imola is legendary because the paddock itself is so compact. You’re literally on top of the team garages. These will set you back anywhere from €1,500 to over €7,000. It's pricey, but the food in this region—the actual Emilia-Romagna region—is arguably the best in the world. You’re talking authentic parmigiano-reggiano and balsamic vinegar that costs more than your rental car.
The Rivazza vs. Tosa Debate
You’ll hear regulars arguing about this in the bars of Bologna for weeks leading up to the race.
Rivazza is the soul of the track. It's the final corner. If you have Emilia Romagna Grand Prix tickets for Rivazza 1 or 2, you are sitting in the heart of the Ferrari fan club. The atmosphere is loud, sweaty, and intense. It’s also where many races have been won or lost in the final laps because the braking zone is so tricky.
Tosa, on the other hand, offers a more "technical" view. It’s a stadium-like feel. Because it’s at the bottom of a bowl, you can hear the engines echoing off the hills long before you see the cars. Plus, the Tosa 1 grandstand is covered. If the May weather decides to turn—which it often does in northern Italy—you’ll be the only one not looking like a drowned rat.
Practical Realities of Imola
- The Train is King: Don't drive. Just don't. The roads into Imola are tiny and will be blocked for miles. Take the train from Bologna Centrale; it’s a 20-minute ride, and then it’s a 25-minute walk to the track.
- Cash is still a thing: Even in 2026, some of the smaller food stalls inside the park might have "technical issues" with card machines. Bring Euros.
- Walking: You’re going to walk 20,000 steps a day. The track is big, and the hills are steep. Wear actual shoes, not flip-flops.
Where to actually buy your tickets
Avoid the "resale" sites if you can. They mark things up by 200% and half the time the tickets are bunk. The official vendor is typically TicketOne, which is the primary ticket partner for ACI (Automobile Club d'Italia).
You should also keep an eye on the official F1 Tickets portal. Sometimes they release batches later than the local Italian site. If you’re an ACI member, there are usually small discounts, but for international fans, the "Fidelity" programs usually apply if you bought tickets for the previous year.
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Actionable Next Steps
- Set a Calendar Alert: Official sales for the 2026 Italian races often open as early as September 2025. Sign up for alerts on the Autodromo Imola official website now.
- Book Bologna Early: Most people try to stay in Imola, but the hotels are booked by the teams and media years in advance. Book a hotel in Bologna or Faenza instead.
- Check the Grandstand Map: Before you click "buy," look at a 3D view of the stand. Some lower rows at the Start/Finish line are heavily obscured by the pit wall and safety fencing.
- Download the App: The "Imola70" or official circuit apps usually provide the most accurate gate opening times and shuttle info closer to the race.
Attending this race isn't like going to a corporate event; it's a pilgrimage. It's old-school, it's slightly messy, and it’s beautiful. Just make sure you get your tickets from a primary source so you aren't left standing at the gate while the V6 hybrids are screaming in the distance.