Start of the 2026 season: What you need to know

The winter break is almost over – and anticipation is growing:
On March 7, 2026, the popular tourist drives on the Nordschleife will officially start again. For motorsport fans, adrenaline junkies, and Nürburgring enthusiasts, this means: Finally, goosebumps, engine sounds, and pure emotions in the “Green Hell” again.

This year, there are again some new features and important information that you should be aware of before your visit. We have summarized everything you need to know.

Start of the 2026 season: Finally free to go again

With the start of the tourist drives, the legendary track reopens for everyone who wants to experience the Nürburgring with their own vehicle.

📅 Start date: March 7, 2026
⏰ Opening for the season opener: 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on the first weekend
🏎️ Accessible: Nordschleife, the GP track will remain closed until April.

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What you should definitely keep in mind in 2026

To ensure that your visit remains safe and stress-free, clear rules will continue to apply this season:

Traffic regulations still apply

During tourist drives, the StVO apply. That means:

• Drive on the right
• Overtake on the left
• No racing
• Be considerate of other participants

The Nordschleife is not a racetrack in the traditional sense, but a one-way toll road.

Check vehicle & technology

Before every lap, you should check your car:

• Tire pressure & tread depth
• Brakes
• Oil & coolant level
• Do not install the tow lug!

Especially at the start of the season, the conditions are often still cool — an adapted driving style is recommended.

Stable price & digital processing

The prices for the tourist drive experience remain stable:

• Nordschleife per lap: still 30€ (Mon-Thu) and 35€ (weekends/holidays).  

You can now manage and top up your credit directly via your personal profile on the Nürburgring website.

💡 Tip: The season pass, which was available in advance until mid-January and offers certain benefits, such as unlimited laps during the season, is particularly worthwhile for regular drivers. It is now being sold for €3,000 and is therefore worthwhile from the 100th round.

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These changes will be made in 2026

During the winter break, the track was once again modernized and optimised. For 2026, visitors expect, among other things:

Revised track sections

Several parts of the Nordschleife became:

• newly asphalted
• mended
• safety-optimized

This provides more grip, a better driving experience and increased safety.

New central emergency number

A practical innovation for all participants of tourist drives is the central emergency number:
📱 +49 2691 302 9111 — replaces the former 0800 hotline and is available during tourist drive hours.

This change improves the availability of track personnel for questions or in an emergency — a plus for safety and organization.

Dates, highlights & audience favorites

In addition to the start of the season in 2026, there are again a few special highlights on the calendar:

• Green Hell Driving Days: Multi-day, full-day track openings in spring and autumn, ideal for long race track weekends or tours with family & friends.
• Easter weekend: Traditionally busy appointments with a special atmosphere around the track.
• CarFriday: Every year, “CarFriday” — i.e. Good Friday before Easter — marks the start of the “season” in the German car and tuning scene to meet, exchange ideas and present the cars.

📅 Tip: If you're planning your ring trip, it's worth taking the official calendar to check, as additional opening hours are offered during the week.

Experience the Nürburgring — even without your own vehicle

Would you like to experience the Nordschleife without driving yourself? Then a ride in RaceTaxi is the perfect alternative.

At GetSpeed RaceTaxi we will take you across the legendary track as a co-pilot in a high-performance vehicle such as our Porsche 992 GT3 RS or BMW M3 Competition — driven by experienced professionals.

Your benefits:

✔ Maximum driving experience
✔ No own risk
✔ Professional at the wheel
✔ Unforgettable experience

Especially at the start of the season, a RaceTaxi ride is a special highlight.

Conclusion: Perfect start to the 2026 Nürburgring season

The March 07, 2026 marks the start of a new, exciting season on the Nordschleife. With an optimised track, improved safety concepts and great community enthusiasm, 2026 promises to be a strong year for all Nürburgring fans.

Regardless of whether you drive yourself or are a passenger — the season opener is always something very special.

👉 Save the date now and plan your Nürburgring experience!

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