Max Verstappen drives Nürburgring 24 Hours to historic sell-out

The 2026 Nürburgring 24 Hours has sold out full-event tickets for the first time ever, fueled by Max Verstappen's highly anticipated endurance debut. The 54th running of the Nordschleife classic, held this weekend from 14-17 May, now has only limited day tickets remaining.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's entry into a 24-hour race—his first—has shattered demand records at the legendary 'Green Hell.' The four-time F1 world champion's star power is pulling in fans from across the globe, proving endurance racing can command blockbuster attention when a major name joins the grid.

The details:

• Historic sell-out: Organizers confirmed all full-weekend passes are gone, a first for the event. The announcement was made via social media, highlighting the extraordinary interest.
• Verstappen's preparation: The Dutchman has been building up to this moment for months. He competed in Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) rounds earlier this year with Winward Racing, immediately showing front-running pace.
  • He secured pole position on his NLS debut and won the race alongside Daniel Juncadella and Jules Gounon, though the result was later stripped due to a tyre regulation infringement.
  • Despite that setback, Verstappen's speed during qualifying sessions ahead of the main weekend reinforced expectations that he could fight for outright victory.
• Teammates and car: Verstappen will drive a Red Bull-backed Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 around the daunting 25km combined circuit.

What's next:

The race kicks off this weekend with Verstappen aiming to challenge for the win on his 24-hour debut. His presence has already made history at the ticket office, and now all eyes are on how the 71-time grand prix winner adapts to the grueling endurance format. If his NLS performances are any guide, he won't just be making up the numbers.