You know Zandvoort. You've been to Spa. But the Nürburgring 24 Hours is different. Longer, bigger, wilder, colder, wetter, louder. If you're heading to the Eifel region for the first time in 2026 because of Max Verstappen, this guide is for you. No F1 paddock glamour, no stadium pragmatism – just a weekend that feels more like a festival plus triathlon plus fan meet-up.
What will surprise you (even if you know Verstappen weekends)
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The course is huge. 25 kilometers total distance – you never see the whole race.
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The race lasts 24 hours. That's not just a number – it's a different rhythm.
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The fans are a mix: Germans, Dutch, British, French. Every corner sounds different.
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The Eifel region's natural beauty is closer than you think. You're in the forest, not in a stadium.
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It gets cold at night. Even in May. Even if you thought rain boots would be enough.
The packing list (what you really need)
dress
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Waterproof jacket AND waterproof pants
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Rubber boots or waterproof hiking boots
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Warm hat and gloves for the night
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Layering: T-shirt + sweater + jacket (May weather is variable)
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Orange outfit – otherwise you'll feel underrepresented
Technology
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Power bank (network is patchy, battery drains quickly)
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Hearing protection (not just for the ring, but also for sleeping while camping)
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Camera or a good mobile phone (Onboard videos on YouTube will be available later)
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Offline route maps (download before departure)
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Flashlight/headlamp for the night
Food & Drink
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Snacks for on the go (nuts, bars, apples)
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Water (at least 2 liters per person per day)
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Thermos of coffee for the night
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Cash (not all food stalls accept cards)
The rhythm of a perfect 24-hour weekend
Thursday: Arrival and orientation
If possible, arrive on Thursday. The day is quiet, and the campsites are just starting to fill up. You'll have time to check out the course, explore the spectator areas, and get to know your neighbors. There's live music in Brünnchen in the evening.
Friday: Qualifying and Drivers' Parade
Top qualifying takes place on Friday. Verstappen will be in the car setting the time. If you want to get a close look: Adenauer Forst or the start/finish grandstand. In the evening: Drivers' parade on the Grand Prix circuit. Max will probably be waving; the photo will go down in history.
Saturday: The start
Saturday at 3:30 p.m. is the moment. Be at the start/finish straight or a good corner at least an hour beforehand. The start of a race with 160 cars simultaneously is an unforgettable experience, both audibly and visually. After that: Go explore the track. A visit to Brünnchen in the evening sun is a must.
Saturday night: The magical part
Between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., the race changes. The cars become streaks of headlights, the pit stops light shows, the silence between the cars is more intense than during the day. Try to stay awake. Grab a coffee, sit down at Döttinger Höhe, listen. This is the part of the race that no one forgets.
Sunday: The final
A slow wake-up call in the morning (or not). Back at the start/finish grandstand by 1 p.m. at the latest. The last two hours are often the most exciting – Verstappen or not, something always happens in the final laps of a 24-hour race. The checkered flag falls at 3:30 p.m. Confetti, trophies, tears. And you're part of something that 230,000 other people have just experienced.
Get the Nordschleife on your wall.
At AP10 Studios We're producing the Nordschleife – the exact 20.832 kilometers where Verstappen will make his 24-hour debut on May 16th/17th – as a 3D-printed frame. Featuring a true elevation profile, made in Germany, and already in use by over 15,000 customers and partners. Use the Bundle Builder to create your own bundle of favorite tracks and save.
The mistakes all first-time visitors make
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Don't bring enough water – the paths between the spectator seats are long.
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Thinking that it's warmer at night than in autumn – the Eifel region can drop to 4 degrees in May.
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Try to see the whole race – you only ever see snippets, that's okay.
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Arriving too late for the start – you only get one chance.
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Run your phone battery down on Saturday evening – you'll need it for Sunday.
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Don't underestimate alcohol – Brünnchen plus night plus cold is a mixture with a surprising effect.
Dutch at the Ring: the five most important sentences
Most people along the route speak English or German. But a few Dutch phrases will make you friends at the campsites. And vice versa: If you speak Dutch, these are the five phrases you'll hear most often:
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Lekker! (perfect, awesome, fits)
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Come on, Max! (Go, Max!)
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It is cold (Es ist kalt)
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Where is the beer? (Wo ist das Bier?)
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Orange on top! (Orange siegt!)
After the weekend: what remains
If you drive home tired on Monday, you'll probably have a dirty backpack, half-worn T-shirts, and pictures on your phone that only you understand. What you'll be left with: memories you'll still be telling in ten years. And if you want to make them tangible, a piece of the route belongs on your wall.
Our 3D-printed frames of the Nordschleife and the Nürburgring GP circuit accurately depict the track Max Verstappen drove in 2026. Featuring a true elevation profile, made in Germany, and accurate to the millimeter. Over 15,000 customers and partners have already placed their trust in us. Use our Bundle Builder to create your own combination of the Nordschleife, Nürburgring GP, and Zandvoort – all of Verstappen's key 2026 tracks displayed on one wall.
Get the Nordschleife on your wall.
At AP10 Studios We're producing the Nordschleife – the exact 20.832 kilometers where Verstappen will make his 24-hour debut on May 16th/17th – as a 3D-printed frame. Featuring a true elevation profile, made in Germany, and already in use by over 15,000 customers and partners. Use the Bundle Builder to create your own bundle of favorite tracks and save.
