F1 Mexico City Grand Prix 2026

Physical Security Analysis

Transport and mobility disruption

Disruption to transport and mobility around the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez has been assessed as almost certain, particularly during peak arrival and departure periods. The 2026 mobility plan outlines transport restrictions and dedicated services to manage spectator movements throughout the event.

• Public transportation: The official event website identifies as the main routes to the circuit Metro Line 9, via Velódromo, Ciudad Deportiva and Puebla stations, and Trolleybus Line 2 serving Ciudad Deportiva, Puerta 8, Puebla and Avenida Río Churubusco. Both services run until midnight, beginning at 5am Monday to Saturday and 6am on Sunday. Metrobús Line 2 offers an alternative via Iztacalco and UPIICSA stations, while a complimentary shuttle runs between venue gates from 7am to 8pm for ticket holders. The official circuit and transport map provides further access details.

• Vehicle restrictions and rideshare services: Private vehicle access will be limited, with no public parking available. The official mobility plan confirms the lateral carriageway of Río Churubusco adjacent to the venue will be closed. Congestion is expected along major approach roads, including Avenida Añil and Viaducto Río de la Piedad. Higher rideshare fares and longer waiting times are anticipated following sessions. Designated taxi stands will be available at Gate 15, Calle 47/Avenida 12, Eje 3 Sur Añil/Río Churubusco and Calle de Educadores Físicos. Ticket2Ride services will also run 13 pickup locations across the metropolitan area.

• Airport connections: Metro Line 5, accessible from Terminal Aérea station near Terminal 1, and Metrobús Line 4 provide connections from Mexico City International Airport. App-based rideshare services are not authorized to pick up passengers inside the airport’s federal zone. Instead, passengers must use designated pickup areas outside the terminals, located on Circuito Interior Boulevard Puerto Aéreo near Terminal 1 and Avenida Fuerza Aérea Mexicana near Terminal 2.

• Day of the Dead celebrations: The October 31 parade is scheduled to begin at 2pm along Paseo de la Reforma toward the Zócalo, overlapping with Grand Prix qualifying at 3pm. The city’s tourism authority identifies the celebrations as a major event likely to increase demand for public transportation. Additional crowds are expected around the Zócalo for the “Ofrenda Monumental” from October 29 to November 2 and along Paseo de la Reforma for the “El Camino” light installation from October 23 to November 8.

Crime targeting attendees

Crime targeting attendees during the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix has been assessed as almost certain. Reporting from previous years indicates that opportunistic theft, ticket resale and fraudulent tickets and credentials occur every year, mainly around access points and on routes to the circuit. Large police deployments mitigate these risks inside the venue. In 2025, authorities deployed 3,900 police officers, 427 vehicles, 120 motorcycle units, two drones and two helicopters.

Ticket resale and fraud remain the most frequent offenses, as high demand for tickets sustains an active secondary market. In 2025, police detained 75 people, mainly for ticket resale, including nine people detained in a single operation involving resold tickets. Police also detained three OCESA employees, one of the event organizers, over cloned tickets. In 2022, police detained 28 people accused of offering forged staff credentials to access restricted areas.

Pickpocketing and phone theft are common in crowded areas, and authorities warned of pickpocketing during the 2025 event. On the first day of the 2024 Grand Prix, police arrested two people on suspicion of phone theft. Mexico City hosted multiple FIFA World Cup games earlier this year. During the World Cup opening, authorities recovered 36 allegedly stolen phones.

Protests and public disruption

Protests affecting the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix or its access routes have been assessed as likely. Two national marches, by Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) health workers on Friday, October 30, and on race day, November 1, are the main sources of protest-related disruption during the race weekend, although neither is expected to target the circuit.

According to the movement’s call, the IMSS workers’ march in Mexico City will depart from the Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI at 3pm. On October 13 and 21, similar protests drew thousands of participants who marched from Siglo XXI toward the Zócalo, while workers have maintained a protest camp outside the IMSS headquarters on Paseo de la Reforma since October 8, along the avenue where the Day of the Dead parade will take place. 

The race day march was called by Uruapan Mayor Grecia Quiroz to mark the first anniversary of the killing of her husband, former mayor Carlos Manzo. Previous mobilizations linked to his killing saw marches from the Ángel de la Independencia toward the Zócalo, and during related protests on November 15, 2025, a hooded group tore down part of the metal fencing around the National Palace.

Protests have previously reached the circuit itself. On race day in 2024, judicial workers protesting against the judicial reform gathered at Gate 6 and were surrounded by police, although race activities continued as planned.

Isolated altercations among spectators are also expected. In 2023, a fight broke out between spectators in one of the stands on the first day of practice.

Organized crime and terrorism

A terrorist attack or organized criminal violence affecting the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix has been assessed as unlikely. 

No reports indicate a specific terrorist threat against the event, and security screening at entry points and police presence around the circuit reduce the risk within the venue. Nevertheless, attacks by lone actors cannot be ruled out, including at fan events, tourist sites, bars and restaurants and public transportation. The US State Department’s most recent travel advisory keeps Mexico City at Level 2, “Exercise Increased Caution,” due to terrorism and crime.

Organized criminal violence directly affecting the Grand Prix is not anticipated. Although Mexico City has lower direct exposure to cartel-related violence than other parts of the country, criminal groups remain active in the capital, engaging in activities such as drug trafficking, extortion and territorial disputes. Armed clashes and road blockades remain a risk across the country. 

Online fraud and cybersecurity

Online fraud targeting attendees of the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix has been assessed as probable. High ticket demand and the event’s international audience mean fans may be targeted, mainly through fake ticket sales on social media and messaging apps.

In September this year, Mexico City’s Cyber Police issued an alert on fraudulent ticket resale for high-demand events. According to the alert, scammers advertise in social media groups and messaging apps, using photos of real tickets to deceive buyers. Ahead of the 2025 race, cybersecurity firm Kaspersky warned of ticket-related scams.

There are no reports of cyber threats against the event’s ticketing, broadcasting or operational systems, and an attack of this kind remains unlikely compared with fraud targeting individual fans. 

Key locations

• Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, including Gates 6 and 12 and the Foro Sol section

• Metro Line 9: Velódromo, Ciudad Deportiva and Puebla stations

• Metrobús Line 2: Iztacalco and UPIICSA stations

• Approach roads: Viaducto Río de la Piedad, Río Churubusco, Avenida Añil, Calzada Ignacio Zaragoza

• Palacio de los Deportes area, where ticket resale was reported in 2025

• Paseo de la Reforma and the Zócalo, for the Day of the Dead events