Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto
Named after one of the most accomplished figure in motorcycle racing history, the Circuit de Jerez – Angel Nieto pays homage to one of Spain’s very own legends.
Built in 1986 and hosting its first Grand Prix the following year, the track has quickly evolved into one of MotoGP’s most popular venues.
4.4km long, 11m wide, with a longest straight of 607m and including 13 testing corners, the Jerez circuit has everything it needs to really push the riders and their machines to the brink.
Set in the remote but beautiful backdrop of Jerez de la Frontera, it’s nestled deep into sherry-producing southern Spain, approximately 90km south of Seville. This region of Spain is renowned for its spectacular scenery and consistently good weather, so pack accordingly.
“I love Jerez. It’s always a brilliant atmosphere, and the fans make a big, big party for three days. I hope I can be part of the party this time!”
Valentino Rossi
The track caters for well upwards of 100 000 spectators – motorcycle racing is extremely popular in Spain with hoards of impassioned Spaniards flocking to Jerez for what is essentially one massive party. If atmosphere is important to you over race weekend, you aren’t going to be disappointed if you make the trip here.
Jerez International airport is the closest option if you’re flying in.
Many people arrive pretty early on Friday morning, so don’t be surprised if you get caught up in some heavy traffic. While there is some accommodation available in Jerez de la Frontera, options are limited. There’s the option of staying in Seville, but it means a long journey every day to get to the circuit.
One of the most popular options is to just camp near the racetrack. It’s a cheaper alternative, you don’t have to worry about making a long trip each day, and camaraderie is excellent. The riders teams are frequently spotted in town over race weekend too, so keep an eye out for your idols.
All the grandstands will be packed at Jerez thanks to the circuit’s massive popularity. Food and drink is pretty expensive, more or less double the prices of what you’d expect outside the venue and it’s the typical hot dogs and burgers etc. There are numerous merchandise stalls dotted around too if you’re after some memorabilia to take back home.
All in all, the JerezGP is excellent, and is a must-visit for seasoned MotoGP fans and newcomers alike. With all the grandstand options available when buying tickets, it poses the question – where’s best to sit?
Viewing options at Circuito de Jerez
Pelousse Grandstand
Consisting of a number of slopes and hillsides positioned at convenient points all around the circuit, Pelousse is the general admission area at the Circuit de Jerez – Angel Nieto.
If you’re on a strict budget, this might be the ticket choice for you as its one of the cheapest options for the MotoGP weekend.
While the general admission zones at this track do offer some respectable views, you need to make sure you’re getting there extremely early if you want the best spots, as there will be thousands of other fanatical fans who all have the same idea.
Miss the boat and you might end up regretting not just going for a grandstand seat.
Note that general admission by no means guarantees a full view of the track, but merely access to a couple of areas where you can either stand up or sit on the grass to watch.
It is still one of the most popular options for race day though, as the spectators love the freedom of being able to sit on the grass with a beer or a picnic and chat away with like-minded fans.
There are toilets dotted about, and food and drink stalls nearby too. Bring some binoculars to give yourself a better view of some of the big screens that you may come across.
While Pelousse is great if your budget is restricted, if you’ve made the journey all the way to Jerez, it’s worth splashing out a little bit extra and securing one of the cheaper grandstand options such as R9.
A10 Grandstand
At a capacity of 1200, A10 is a small but mighty pop up grandstand that’s only installed for the GP weekend. It’s got numbered seating like most of the grandstands, so you won’t be fighting to get a spot.
The price tag is mid to top range if you want to spend your weekend in A10, but the fantastic view reflects this and you really get what you pay for. You see the riders storm round the last bend, before racing to the finish line at ridiculous speeds.
You’ll get a distant view of the start / finish, so it’s great if witnessing key race moments is up there on your priorities and you want to catch some last minute overtaking.
There are toilets in the form of portaloos within walking distance, along with the usual food and drink stands.
Motorbike parking is available next to the grandstand, and is included in the price of your ticket. There isn’t a great view of any big screen, but your vantage point of the track makes up for this.
X1 Grandstand
Overlooking one of the quickest parts of the track, X1 is probably the most hotly demanded grandstand at Jerez circuit, consistently sells out early year after year.
For anyone lucky enough to grab a chance at purchasing, It’s catered towards those with a high-end budget so be prepared to dig deep into your pockets for such a special occasion.
With a video wall directly in front, you aren’t going to miss a single moment of the race, even when the riders are out of sight. X1 offers excellent visibility of the surrounding corners, while also giving you a nice overview of several straights.
This means you get the best of both worlds, seeing the riders get slow, low and technical, but also seeing them rack up some ferocious speeds.
There are food and drink stalls in the vicinity and you aren’t far from the pits and main straight. Toilets are nearby too.
X1 arguably provides the best seats on the track, and the atmosphere here is truly electric.
VIP Grandstand
Located in the ‘main area’ of the track, the VIP zone is where you’d expect to find it, just opposite the starting grid. This gives you an exceptional view of the main straight, starting grid and finish line.
The grandstand is big though, at approximately 200m in length, so the view may vary quite significantly depending on where exactly you sit. Your position in the stand will affect your view – the right will give you a better view of the podium ceremony and big screen for example, while the left will offer a much better vantage point of the final turn.
The VIP grandstand, as its name suggests, isn’t particularly cheap. The view however is fantastic, and the atmosphere at this part of the circuit is virtually unmatched.
There are toilets close by, and most of the merchandise and food and drink options at the track are located in the near vicinity, with it being on the main straight.
XO Grandstand
Up there with the X1 grandstand fighting for the title of most ‘in-demand’ is the XO grandstand. It’s much smaller, so as you can imagine it also sells out every single year well in advance.
Small in size, but vast in views.
With a spot overlooking what is regarded by many as the best area of the circuit, you witness the riders tackle some of the most technically testing turns in MotoGP.
There are panoramic views of around 50% of the track, this is one of the mid to high budget options. It’s pretty pricey, but a fair bit cheaper than some of the other options at Jerez.
When deciding between here and X1, the views aren’t massively different. XO is generally close to the bikes, while X1 is a bit higher up, and busier so the atmosphere is slightly better too.
Toilets and food stalls are within walking distance. Access to the big screen isn’t as good in this stand though, so bring some binoculars just in case.
X2 Grandstand
Usually priced the same as XO, X2 sits between this and X3. It’s similarly great value, providing you with an extensive view of a large sector of track spanning from the iconic Nieto corner all the way to Peluqui.
Overlooking a series of straights broken up by numerous sharp turns, it’s one of the best locations if you want to see the riders handling a number of different race situations, from raw speed to a technical master class.
The penultimate corner known as the Ferrari curve looks mesmerising from X2, and excitement will echo through the stand as the race draws to a close.
The view of the big screens could be better – there’s one directly in front of the nearby W3 stand, but bring some binoculars just in case if you want to keep up with all the action as best you can.
Portaloos are plentiful but expect to queue a little while for these. They also tend to get pretty dirty too. There are the usual food and drink vendors just a short walk away.
X2 is definitely worth considering if it’s within your budget.
X3 Grandstand
X3 is a tiny grandstand nestled between X2 and W3. It shares a very similar view to X2, with a slightly better view of the big screen but a little further away from Ferrari corner and the main straight.
It’s a mid priced grandstand, not the cheapest option at the Spanish MotoGP but also not the most expensive.
XO and X2 are better options and cost the same, so go for these over X3 if you get the choice.
C2 Grandstand
With a phenomenal view that covers a significant portion of the track, the C2 grandstand lets you see pretty much half the race without even budging out of your seat.
A huge big screen sits in front of you, so whatever parts of the track you can’t directly see can be followed along in that way. You won’t miss any of the action here.
Another bonus is the proximity to the circuit – you’ll be jaw-droppingly close to the riders as they slingshot out of the first turn and onto the challenging second corner.
C2 is usually more expensive than the majority of the grandstand options at Jerez, but if you have some cash too splash then it’s most certainly worth every penny.
Being close to the main straight, you’re close to toilets and food vendors, as you’d expect.
There’s a video wall in sight too, for you to keep up with all the action as the race unfolds.
Thanks to the stand’s location, you’re in prime position to witness the race start and the tussle for position as they approach the iconic first turn, where Valentino Rossi crashed back in 2006.
For capturing some of the key race moments and seeing plenty of action, it doesn’t really get much better than the C2 grandstand.
J4 Grandstand
To the left of C2 is J4, which at €140 is a slightly cheaper grandstand with a slightly worse view.
It has an excellent vantage point over a very similar part of the course as C2, but with it being to the left, the view of the main straight isn’t as good.
If the race start, the first corner and the finish is as important to you as it is to most fans, you’re better off splashing out the extra €15 for a seat in C2.
Having said that, it’s by no means a bad choice – the view is stunning, there’s a big screen on site and you’re close to all the amenities you could possibly need.
W3 Grandstand
Opposite Peluqui and served by a massive big screen is the W3 grandstand. It’s next to the X3 stand, with the general admission zone on the other side.
W3 covers what is regarded by many as one of the most exciting points at Jerez circuit – the riders enter the U-shaped section and drop speed significantly to manoeuvre this very technical part of the course, before slamming on the gas and accelerating away towards the later stages of the lap.
For those on a mid – high budget, its another good choice, coming in at €140 per adult for the weekend.
Food and drinks venues are within reach, along with toilet facilities.
Q5 Grandstand
Slightly further away from the core of the fan base and so a little bit more isolated is the Q5 grandstand. It sits just in front of the Angel Nieto turn, and the view it offers encompasses this bend and the rest of the track all the way through to Ferrari corner.
In addition to the widespread views it offers, you get to see the riders going in both directions, thanks to its location perching over the U – shaped section of the circuit. You’ll see your favourite racers speed towards you, before hugging the tarmac and launching into the distance.
Q5 is a little bit cheaper too at €125 per adult, so great if you’re wanting to save a bit of extra cash for beers on race day.
The main merchandise vendors are a little further away, but there are toilets and places to grab something to eat at just a stone’s throw.
You will probably find a slightly better atmosphere in some of the bigger, more crowded grandstands, but the passion of the fans at Jerez means virtually everywhere is electric on race day.
There isn’t a big screen in sight here so be aware that you might find it a bit more difficult to keep up with all the goings on. Many fans choose to stream the race on their phones live.
M6 Grandstand
Another one in the group of grandstands bunched together at the end of the main straight is M6. It’s a good grandstand, with very similar views to J4.
If you want to see some overtaking more than anything else, then it’s probably one of the better options at the circuit. Bring some binoculars for the big screen as it’s not directly in front of you.
M6 is one of the cheaper options at this track too, so well worth taking a good look at, especially if your budget is on the lower end.
Turn 1 and 2 on the first lap would be unbelievably exciting when watching on from this stand.
All the usual facilities are in close range, with you being in the vicinity of the main straight.
T8 Grandstand
Round the corner from M6 is T8, which gives spectators an overview of a very similar part of the track but from a different angle.
You get to see the riders come at you from head on into one of the main overtaking spots at the circuit, before dramatically cutting their speed in order to negotiate the chicane, one of the trickier aspects of the circuit.
The end of the main straight is in sight, so you can catch the last little bit of that and then all of the first 3 corners.
You won’t really get a view of a big screen from here though, so be weary of that. The atmosphere makes up for it though, as you’re next to the largest general admission zone.
The cheers and screams will undoubtedly be relentless, and continuously growing in volume as the race progresses.
R9 Grandstand
The ‘dry sack’ curve is renowned for being one of the fan favourites at the Jerez circuit, and for good reason. It is the only grandstand that directly overlooks the absolutely massive back straight, and the dry sack curve, which doubles up as the fastest overtaking spot on the track.
Raw speed and pure power is what you crave, and you want to see the riders hitting death defying speeds while they battle it out for positions, then this has to be at the top of your list.
There’s the added benefit of great visibility of the Sito Pons curve too, along with the second straight that leads to dry sack in the distance.
There’s a big screen directly in front of you, so you genuinely won’t miss a thing. Toilets and a food and drink vendor are a short walk away.
You could feel a little isolated at times with the stand being alone and further away from where the majority of fans will be, but you’ll have an excellent view to comfort you.
Be aware that the seats aren’t numbered in this stand, so get there early if you want free roam to find the best spot.
Like the view isn’t enough, free motorbike parking next to the grandstand is thrown in too.
R9 is one of the best value grandstands at this circuit. Check it out when considering where to sit at the Spanish MotoGP.
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