Norisring 2026

The Norisring in Nuremberg is one of Europe’s oldest street circuits and at the same time one of the most historically significant venues in international motorsport. The track opened as early as May 1947, initially as a pure motorcycle racing circuit. The course received its distinctive name only in 1950 as part of a competition in which a lightweight motorcycle was to be won. In the 1970s, the Norisring gradually transformed into a location for sports car racing and established itself as a mainstay in the German racing calendar.

Structurally, the circuit is inseparably linked to one of the darkest chapters of German history: The track runs along the so-called Steintribüne, that imposing concrete structure that was once erected as a speaker’s podium for the Reich Party Days. This historically burdened place makes the Norisring one of the most unusual venues in all of motorsport, where history and racing meet in a haunting way. Since 2000, the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters, or DTM, Germany’s leading touring car series, has been a regular guest on the street circuit and has since become one of the most popular events on the DTM calendar.

At around 2.3 kilometers, the Norisring is considered the shortest circuit on the entire DTM calendar. As a classic street circuit, it runs over roads that serve normal traffic in everyday use and are only closed off for race days. This tight, concrete wall and curb-lined track layout demands the highest precision from drivers and leaves little room for error, which regularly results in closely contested racing and spectacular position battles. The compact distance also provides a high number of laps, as was evident in 2014, when the race was contested over 83 laps and a total distance of 190.9 kilometers.

Over the decades, the Norisring has established itself as one of the DTM’s most well-attended events. In 2025 alone, around 112,000 spectators flocked to the Nuremberg weekend, testament to the enduring appeal of the street circuit in the heart of the city. Brands like BMW, Audi, and Mercedes have shaped the grid at the track for years and regularly provide close battles in Nuremberg, Franconia’s metropolis, against a picturesque urban backdrop.

In 2026, the DTM returns once again to the Norisring: From July 3rd to 5th, the fourth race weekend of the season will take place there. For many teams and drivers, the event is already one of the highlights of the year, especially since individual cars have recently produced strong qualifying results here. With its unique blend of history, urban flair, and challenging track layout, the Norisring remains a must-visit for any motorsport fan in 2026.