The A1 Motor Park in Bulgaria has been officially opened in a significant milestone for the country and its rapidly developing motor sport ecosystem. Attended by FIA Vice President for Sport (Europe) Anna Nordkvist, the official opening ceremony showcased the state‑of‑the‑art facilities located near Samokov, which offer world-class infrastructure for competitors, teams and fans alike.

The 3.91km circuit, homologated to FIA Grade 3, becomes the first track of this level on the Balkan Peninsula, enabling high‑quality national and regional competitions. With a 900‑metre main straight and spectator capacity of 20,000, the venue is set to become a central hub for racing activity in the region and supports the country’s ambition to elevate its presence within European motor sport.

The modern facilities include a pit building, covered paddock area, hospitality suites and a cutting-edge race control tower with panoramic view of the full circuit. Also homologated as an FIM Grade B circuit, the track will serve as a dynamic multi-discipline venue across both four and two-wheel racing.

In its inaugural year, A1 Motorsport Park is already scheduled to welcome major events, including the Bulgarian Endurance Series 999 in April and multiple rounds of the BMW Cup 2026 throughout the season.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA President, said:
“The FIA is committed to making motor sport more accessible globally, and the opening of A1 Motor Park is a historic milestone for Bulgaria, the Balkans, and the wider sporting community. This circuit reflects the passion and dedication of the local motor sport community and will help inspire the next generation. I warmly congratulate the Union des Automobilistes Bulgares and the A1 Motor Park team for creating a venue that will raise the region’s profile on the European and global motor sport stage.”

Anna Nordkvist, FIA Vice President for Sport (Europe), said:

“This is a huge moment for Bulgarian motor sport as well as for the wider region. The facilities here in Samokov are incredibly impressive to see and will transform this part of the world into a regional hub of motor sport excellence. I’d like to congratulate our Member Club, Union des Automobilistes Bulgares, as well as the A1 Motor Park team for their vision, collaboration and dedication to this transformational project”

Emil Panchev, President of Union des Automobilistes Bulgares (UAB), said:

“The A1 Motorsport Park is a cornerstone of our mission to transform motor sport in Bulgaria. These facilities will allow us not only to host world class events, welcoming competitors and fans from across the globe, but also support the emergence of the next generation of Bulgarian motor sport stars.”

Sven Leufgen, CEO of A1 Motor Park, said:

“Our ambition from the very beginning was to create a world-class facility that meets the highest international standards, and today we are proud to see that vision realised. We aim to establish A1 Motor Park as a landmark on the European motor sport map and will continue to put strong focus on the development of both local and international circuit racing in the region. We look forward to welcoming teams, drivers and fans from around the world to experience the track and everything the surrounding area, including Bulgaria’s capital Sofia, has to offer”

ENDS

For media enquiries, please contact Omar Sharif, Sport Communications Manager: osharif@fia.com

The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) is the governing body for world motor sport and the federation for mobility organisations globally.  It is a non-profit organisation committed to driving innovation and championing safety, sustainability and equality across motor sport and mobility. 

Founded in 1904, with offices in Paris, London and Geneva, the FIA brings together 245 Member Organisations across five continents, representing millions of road users, motor sport professionals and volunteers. It develops and enforces regulations for motor sport, including six FIA World Championships, to ensure worldwide competitions are safe and fair for all.