F1 Is Back At Sepang! PMX Teases "Tiket Madani" Cheap Seats — Here’s The Catch

.says-embed-scope { --azure-blue: #30a0c3; --azure-light: #f0f8fa; --azure-border: #c4e5ee; --brand-orange: #faa00c; --orange-light: #fff8eb; --text-dark: #111827; --text-muted: #4b5563; --bg-white: #ffffff; font-family: 'Poppins', sans-serif; width: 100%; margin: 28px 0; box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--text-dark); line-height: 1.6; } .says-embed-scope *, .says-embed-scope *::before, .says-embed-scope *::after { box-sizing: border-box; } .says-embed-scope .tldr-card { max-width: 900px; margin: 0 auto; background: linear-gradient(135deg, var(--bg-white) 0%, var(--azure-light) 100%); border-radius: 16px; padding: 24px; border: 2px solid var(--azure-border); box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(48, 160, 195, 0.12); } .says-embed-scope .tldr-header { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 12px; margin-bottom: 16px; padding-bottom: 12px; border-bottom: 2px solid var(--azure-border); } .says-embed-scope .tldr-badge { background-color: var(--brand-orange); color: #ffffff; font-size: 11px; font-weight: 800; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 1px; padding: 4px 10px; border-radius: 6px; } .says-embed-scope .tldr-title { font-family: 'Poppins', sans-serif; font-weight: 800; font-size: 1.25rem; color: var(--azure-blue); margin: 0; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: -0.3px; } .says-embed-scope .tldr-grid { display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fit, minmax(280px, 1fr)); gap: 12px 16px; list-style: none; padding: 0; margin: 0; } .says-embed-scope .tldr-item { display: flex; align-items: flex-start; gap: 10px; background: var(--bg-white); padding: 12px 14px; border-radius: 10px; border: 1px solid var(--azure-border); } .says-embed-scope .tldr-icon { width: 24px; height: 24px; flex-shrink: 0; background-color: var(--orange-light); border-radius: 50%; display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; font-size: 12px; margin-top: 2px; } .says-embed-scope .tldr-text { font-size: 0.88rem; color: var(--text-muted); font-weight: 400; } .says-embed-scope .tldr-text strong { color: var(--text-dark); font-weight: 700; } /* Callout styling */ .says-embed-scope .callout-box { background-color: var(--azure-light); border-left: 5px solid var(--azure-blue); padding: 18px 20px; border-radius: 8px; margin: 20px 0; } .says-embed-scope .callout-box.orange-accent { background-color: var(--orange-light); border-left-color: var(--brand-orange); } .says-embed-scope .callout-title { font-weight: 800; font-size: 1rem; color: var(--azure-blue); margin: 0 0 6px 0; text-transform: uppercase; } .says-embed-scope .callout-box.orange-accent .callout-title { color: var(--brand-orange); } .says-embed-scope .callout-p { margin: 0; font-size: 0.92rem; color: var(--text-dark); } @media (max-width: 600px) { .says-embed-scope .tldr-card { padding: 18px 14px; } .says-embed-scope .tldr-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; } } TL;DR Key Takeaways 🏎️ Race Dates: F1 returns to Sepang from October 2–4, 2026. 🎟️ Tiket Madani: PMX is considering cheaper local tickets following complaints on RM200+ starting rates. 📍 The Catch: Madani seats won't be front-row and will be positioned further from the track. 💸 Zero Hosting Fees: Malaysia pays RM0 in FIA hosting fees, spending only RM16M on track upkeep.

Naturally, once the news broke, Malaysians immediately asked the most Malaysian question possible: "Bro, how much are the tickets?"

Addressing crowd feedback during a event in Port Dickson, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim confirmed that the government is looking into introducing "Tiket Madani" options for budget-conscious fans who want to experience the V6 turbo-hybrid roar live.

Lewis Hamilton driving for Mercedes during second practice session at the 2013 Malaysian Grand Prix. (Photo credit: Morio / CC BY-SA 3.0)

During an address to village leaders in Port Dickson, PMX shared that everyday fans were reaching out regarding international standard ticket prices starting from around RM200.

"Many have bought tickets, but some complained because prices follow international rates. They asked me, 'PMX, is there a Tiket Madani?'

"Insya-Allah, we will consider it. However, these seats won't be front-row seats, perhaps further from the track. Don't pay a Madani ticket price and expect to sit right in the front!"

— Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia

Zero FIA Hosting Fees For Malaysia

Opening lap at the 2015 Malaysian Grand Prix. (Photo credit: Morio / CC BY-SA 4.0)

Besides cheaper entry tickets, PMX revealed another massive bonus: Malaysia isn't paying a single cent in FIA registration or hosting fees for the race.

When Sepang dropped off the calendar back in 2017, hosting rights cost hundreds of millions of ringgit annually. This time around, because Bahrain covers the primary hosting investment to maintain its spot on the calendar, Malaysia’s only expenditure is roughly RM16 million for facility and track maintenance at Sepang.

📊 FINANCIAL SAVINGS FOR MALAYSIA

Prior to 2017, hosting F1 cost Malaysia hundreds of millions of ringgit in registration fees annually. For the 2026 race, royal diplomacy secured RM0 in FIA fees, leaving Malaysia with only an RM16M track maintenance bill.

With thousands of international tourists, engineers, and race crews flying into KLIA this October, it's set to deliver a huge boost to local tourism without draining government coffers.