Where to watch Formula 1 Grand Prix race in Kuala Lumpur
Watching Formula 1 Grand Prix races in Kuala Lumpur is very easy and popular, especially among expats, tourists and local motorsport fans. KL has a strong network of sports bars and pubs (mostly in Bukit Bintang, KLCC, Bangsar, and Changkat) that reliably show live F1 sessions (practice, qualifying, sprints, full races) on big screens with English commentary. Here is everything you need to know for the 2026 F1 season.
Next Formula 1 Grand Prix race for 2026
Australian Grand Prix 2026 – Sunday 8th March 2026. Race time begins at 12pm Kuala Lumpur time.
Best Sports Bars in Kuala Lumpur to Watch F1
KL’s top spots are in Bukit Bintang, KLCC, Bangsar, and Changkat Bukit Bintang — expat-friendly with big screens and confirmed F1 coverage.
| Bar Name | Location | Description of Bar | Food Served |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Dark Horse | Bukit Bintang | Modern sports bar; multiple big screens; reliable for F1, AFL, rugby; relaxed, fun atmosphere; expat favorite | Bistro / Bar food – Enormous grub portions fit for a king |
| Score The Sports Bar | Bukit Bintang (Changkat Bukit Bintang, 52 Jalan Alor area) | Popular, lively sports bar with multiple large HD TVs and projectors; shows Formula 1 races live (confirmed via their Facebook event posts and local F1 fan recommendations); also covers Premier League, rugby, UFC; energetic atmosphere, good sound, expat/local mix; opens late (till 2–3am); great for big races and game nights | Classic pub food: Burgers, wings, pizzas, sharing plates; highlights include loaded burgers, crispy chicken wings, thin-crust pizzas, and bar snacks |
| The Social House | KLCC (Suria KLCC area) | Stylish sports bar with multiple screens; covers F1 reliably; modern, lively atmosphere; convenient for KLCC visitors | Pub classics with Asian fusion: Burgers, wings, sisig; highlights include loaded burgers, crispy wings, and spicy sisig |
Practical Tips for Watching F1 in KL
- Check ahead: Bars post schedules on Facebook/Instagram. Message them to confirm — most will show F1.
- Atmosphere: Expat-heavy (Brits/Aussies), tourists, locals. Gets very busy for Monaco, Singapore, season finale — book tables for Singapore GP.
- Food & Drinks: Pub classics (burgers, wings, steaks), Malaysian/Asian options, affordable beers (~RM 15–25), happy hours common.
- Alternatives: Stream on beIN SPORTS CONNECT or F1 TV Pro via phone/hotel TV (cast to smart TV).
- Location tip: Bukit Bintang/Changkat is the F1 hub — walkable from monorail, lively nightlife.
F1 Broadcast in Malaysia (2026 Season)
Malaysia has excellent official F1 coverage:
- beIN Sports holds the rights for live races across Southeast Asia, including Malaysia (channels beIN Sports 1 & 2 via Astro, Unifi TV, HyppTV).
- Astro (Malaysia’s main pay-TV provider) broadcasts full F1 coverage on Astro Arena channels (Astro 801–804) and streams via Astro GO app.
- F1 TV Pro is available in Malaysia (no geo-block) — full access to live streams, onboard cams, team radio, data (~RM 399/year or monthly options).
- During race weekends, highlights are sometimes shown free-to-air on Astro Awani or RTM.
Sports bars in KL subscribe to Astro or beIN and show every session live. They usually open early for European races (late night/early morning Malaysia time) or extend hours for Asian/Australian GPs.2026 F1 Season Overview & KL Viewing Times
- 24 races (starts March 6–8 Australia, ends December 4–6 Abu Dhabi), new Madrid street circuit debut.
- Malaysia time (MYT, UTC+8): 4 hours behind Australian AEDT, 7 hours ahead of UK BST (summer), 8 hours ahead of CET (winter).
- Typical race start times in KL:
- Australian GP: afternoon – easy viewing
- European races (summer): late night/early morning (bars open from 6–8am)
- Singapore & Japan: evening – prime time
Enjoy the races!
Upcoming Formula One Races: