Abu Dhabi has been named Promoter of the Year at the 2025 Formula 1 Promoter Awards, reinforcing the region’s growing influence on the global sporting calendar following a landmark season finale at Yas Marina Circuit.
The award was collected in London by Saif Rashid Al-Noaimi, CEO of Ethara, recognising the team’s work in consistently elevating the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix into one of Formula 1’s must-visit events.
The 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix delivered on scale and spectacle. New hospitality concepts, innovative on-site activations, sustainability initiatives, and live performances from international music artists including Katy Perry, Post Malone, and Benson Boone helped shape a standout race weekend. Yas Marina Circuit also provided the backdrop for a historic three-way title decider, drawing a record crowd of 339,000 fans across the weekend.
Held in London, the annual awards brought together leaders from all 24 Grands Prix on the Formula 1 calendar. Five awards were presented, celebrating excellence across sustainability, fan experience, event spectacle, and cultural identity.
Notably, the Middle East featured prominently among the winners. Alongside Abu Dhabi’s top honour, the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was recognised for Event Spectacle, highlighting the region’s growing reputation for delivering high-impact, globally resonant race weekends.
The Winners
At the 2025 Formula 1 Promoter Awards, Abu Dhabi was named Promoter of the Year, recognising the all-round delivery of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and its continued evolution as a global sporting event.
The award honours the promoter that delivered the strongest overall Grand Prix in 2025, with Abu Dhabi’s season finale standing out for its scale, execution, and ability to consistently raise the bar year on year.
The Event Spectacle award went to the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, recognised for delivering the most impressive pre- and post-race ceremonial spectacle and off-track activations across the race weekend. The Jeddah event featured performances from international music artists including Usher, Jennifer Lopez and Major Lazer, alongside a drone and firework show following Sunday’s Grand Prix.
Elsewhere, the Fan Experience award, presented by Heineken, was awarded to the Hungarian Grand Prix, following upgrades to its grandstand and paddock facilities ahead of the 2025 event, which significantly elevated the experience for fans across the weekend.
The ESG Changemaker award, presented by Allwyn, was claimed by the Japanese Grand Prix, recognised for embedding sustainability at the heart of its operations. Initiatives included the launch of a lottery programme providing 4,000 families, children and students with access to the race weekend, achieving zero waste to landfill, and increasing low-carbon fan travel to 64 per cent across the event.
The Outstanding Cultural Identity award was presented to the Chinese Grand Prix, which was recognised for integrating local culture and heritage throughout the race weekend in Shanghai, including a downtown festival, local food and beverage vendors, circuit entertainment, and distinctive event branding.
Commenting on the awards, Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1, said: “2025 was another incredible year from start to finish for Formula 1, and at the heart of this success were our 24 promoters, who worked tirelessly to deliver the ultimate race weekend experience for our fans. As the sport enters its next generation in 2026, we have a responsibility to continue breaking barriers and setting a high standard for others to follow. I want to thank all our promoters for their hard work and innovation and encourage them to keep developing their events in 2026 and beyond. Congratulations to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, as well as to all the other winners and nominees at today’s awards.”
Louise Young, Chief Race Promotion Officer of Formula 1, added: “The Formula 1 Promoter Awards provide a fantastic opportunity to reflect on the year and recognise the hard work, innovation and collaboration that make each race weekend unique and an amazing spectacle for our fans. Last season was another year of progress and evolution for our promoters, enhancing how we engage our audience on and off the track, and continuing to push the boundaries of live sporting entertainment. Congratulations to Abu Dhabi on being awarded Promoter of the Year, and to all the other winners and nominees. I am excited to work with you all this year and beyond as we continue to drive our sport forward.”
Accepting the Promoter of the Year award, Saif Rashid Al-Noaimi, CEO of Ethara, said: “We are proud to be recognised as Promoter of the Year in such a competitive field of promoters. This award is a testament to the strength of the Ethara team, who are delivering our vision to become a regional powerhouse in live entertainment. We will continue to pioneer the delivery of unforgettable experiences for the fans from around the world.”
