Melbourne set to attract one of the biggest crowds in world sport for the Grand Prix

The return of the Australian Grand Prix could set a record that’s never been achieved in the race’s history at Albert Park.

A record-setting crowd is expected for the 2022 Australian Grand Prix.

The Melbourne Formula One Grand Prix is set to sell out for the first time in its 26 year history with one of the biggest crowds in world sport set for Albert Park.

Up to 130,000 fans will pack the race on April 10, with event organisers expecting tickets to sell out within days.

It would be by far the biggest crowd that has flocked to an Australian sporting event since the pandemic shut down the Grand Prix in March 2020 and the largest Albert Park attendance in two decades.

And another 100,000 plus crowd is expected at Albert Park for F1 qualifying on April 9, raising hopes a new record attendance for the four day event could be set.

Tickets to the 2022 Australian Grand Prix are expected to sell out within days. Picture: Getty

Australian Grand Prix chief executive Andrew Westacott said pent up demand for an event cancelled two years straight due to COVID-19 and a surge in global popularity of F1 were fuelling the demand.

“When the pandemic hit, the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix was one of the first major events in the world to be cancelled and it’s now shaping up for a massive comeback,’’ he said.

The previous biggest crowds spruiked by Australian Grand Prix organisers were 154,000 at Melbourne’s first F1 race in 1996 and 128,500 in 2001.

This year’s sales have already soared past the 102,000 who attended the 2019 Melbourne race and tickets to Saturday’s qualifying session could also sell out, despite more grandstands being built.

Fans at the Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit in 2019. Picture: Getty

“To avoid disappointment, if you’re a fan that wants to attend on Sunday, I recommend you

purchase your tickets without delay, so you don’t miss out,’’ Mr Westacott said.

“The expectation of a Sunday sellout is very likely to also push Saturday crowds to in

excess of 100,000.”

A sold out Melbourne Grand Prix would do wonders for Victoria’s quest to claw back its crown as Australia’s sporting capital.

And it would challenge the AFL crowd record of 121,696 set at the 1970 Grand Final between Carlton and Collingwood and the 129,089 who packed Flemington for the 2006 Derby.

More than 100,000 tickets have already been sold for this year's event. Picture: Getty

In an indication of how keen fans are to return to the event, weekend grandstand seats that in 2020 sold out six weeks before the event were this year snapped up 18 weeks prior.

Five new grandstands were added for Friday and Saturday of the event and both sold out in a matter of hours.

Mr Westacott said organisers could fit more than 130,000 fans into the vast 176ha Albert Park circuit but crowd numbers would be capped to enhance the fan experience and keep the event safe.

“While Sunday is looking very likely to sell out soon, there are still tickets available for Thursday, Friday and Saturday,’’ he said.

The Australian Grand Prix is contracted to Melbourne until 2025, with the state government in talks with Formula One bosses to extend the deal long-term.