Verstappen Fever Triggers Historic Ticket Sell-Out for Nurburgring 24 Hours
The upcoming Nurburgring 24 Hours experienced an unprecedented surge in fan interest thanks to the debut of Max Verstappen. Organisers have confirmed that multi-day passes for the legendary endurance race have completely sold out for the first time ever.
Taking advantage of a rare weekend off from his standard Formula One duties, the four-time world champion is swapping his Red Bull machinery for a Mercedes-AMG GT3 sportscar. The 28-year-old Dutch racing star will tackle the famously unforgiving German circuit, widely known as the «Green Hell», sharing driving duties for Team Verstappen Racing alongside Spaniard Dani Juncadella, Frenchman Jules Gounon and Austrian Lucas Auer.
Unprecedented demand
The sheer draw of witnessing the reigning F1 champion tackle one of motorsport’s most gruelling events has led to a historic ticketing milestone.
Organisers issued a stern warning to hopeful fans, stating that no tickets will be available at the box office on Saturday and urging people not to travel to the venue without a valid pass.
A long-held ambition
Verstappen, who currently boasts 71 grand prix victories, has spent recent months quietly building his experience at the Nurburgring through lower-tier events where he continually impressed onlookers with his blistering qualifying pace.
A bumper grid at the Green Hell
While Verstappen’s high-profile entry has undoubtedly captured global headlines, event organisers are keen to highlight that his presence is just one thrilling element of this year’s spectacle. The 2026 edition boasts a massive 161-car grid, marking the largest field the event has seen in over a decade.
Verstappen will be hunting for overall victory in the premier SP9 class. This top-tier category features fierce competition from nine elite automotive brands:
- Aston Martin
- Audi
- BMW
- Ferrari
- Ford
- Lamborghini
- McLaren
- Mercedes-AMG
- Porsch
First held in 1970, the gruelling 24-hour marathon takes place on a sweeping 25-kilometre (16-mile) circuit. The layout combines the modern grand prix track with the treacherous and historic Nordschleife, the very same forest circuit that hosted Formula One races throughout the 1960s and 70s.
