Formula 1 returns to Portugal

Formula 1 is coming back to Portugal. After a hiatus from the calendar, the race will return to the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimão for the 2027 and 2028 seasons, placing the city once again in the global spotlight. Portimão will once again welcome drivers, teams, international media, and tens of thousands of spectators, drawing attention to a region that is gradually expanding its identity beyond seasonal tourism.

A global institution grows

Formula 1 has changed. Once a niche pursuit dominated by European audiences, it has become a global entertainment enterprise. In 2025, the sport reached a record 827 million fans worldwide and saw multiple sellout races, reflecting growth not only in viewership but in international engagement. Hosting a Grand Prix now signals that a place can deliver on logistics, infrastructure, and international expectations. It is a statement of readiness as much as one of ambition.

For the Algarve, that signal arrives at a particular moment. The region is recognized for its beaches, golf courses, and sun-soaked resorts, yet it has often been narrowly defined by summer tourism. Remote work, longer stays, and a steady influx of international residents have begun to loosen that pattern. The return of Formula 1 reinforces this shift by placing Portimão within a year-round global conversation.

Credits: Getty Images; Author: Red Bull Content Pool;

Economic ripple effects

In the immediate term, the race will lift hotel occupancy, strain short-term rentals, and bring an influx of visitors whose spending ripples across hospitality, transport, and services. Hosting a Formula 1 Grand Prix has proven to deliver substantial economic returns in other markets. Las Vegas, for example, invested roughly $500 million to host its first race in 2023, and analysts estimate that the event generated more than $1.5 billion in revenue, including visitor spending, tax receipts, and employment gains. At the British Grand Prix, the local economy benefits by approximately £100 million annually, supporting thousands of jobs, while the 2023 Australian Grand Prix contributed around A$266 million to the state economy. In Singapore, the Grand Prix drew an estimated 450,000 tourists between 2010 and 2018, while in Mexico City, the average fan spent roughly $1,730 over a race weekend. These examples illustrate how major events can translate global attention into measurable economic impact.

Real estate implications

Property values in parts of the Algarve remain lower than in Lisbon, where international investment has already pushed prices higher. In Portimão and surrounding smaller towns, opportunities to enter the market are still accessible, offering more affordable options for buyers. Hosting Formula 1 does not automatically increase property prices, but it draws attention to a region where infrastructure, tourism, and lifestyle factors are already strengthening the investment case.

There is also a psychological component that should not be underestimated. Investors are drawn to familiarity. A destination seen repeatedly on global broadcasts becomes legible, even comforting. Recognition reduces perceived risk and can accelerate decision-making among international buyers, particularly those evaluating markets from afar.

A Signal Worth Watching

Formula 1’s growth in global fandom and media presence makes its return to Portimão a compelling signal for investors in the Algarve. While a single event does not guarantee property price increases, the convergence of international attention, visitor demand, and infrastructure improvements suggests the region—historically defined by seasonal tourism—may be poised for a broader investment profile.

Investors should focus on sustained trends rather than one-off events. Continued global attention can extend demand beyond the summer season, supporting short-term rental performance and hospitality growth. Infrastructure upgrades, improved connectivity, and enhanced local services can strengthen long-term livability and market appeal. Recognition through global exposure reduces perceived risk for buyers unfamiliar with the region, making the Algarve a more accessible choice for lifestyle, second-home, or semi-permanent investment.

Experts at Maven Investment Management highlight that structural developments, combined with global visibility, offer some of the clearest early signals of market potential in Portimão. The combination of infrastructure improvements, rising tourism, and international attention positions the region as one to watch for lifestyle, second-home, or semi-permanent investment.

For investors and developers, the Grand Prix weekend may be the clearest signal yet that the Algarve is ready for global attention, continuous engagement, and a broader base of opportunity.

Contact: community@maveninvest.pt