GENEVA, 21 September 2026: MSC Cruises will serve as title sponsor of three FIA Formula One World Championship™ Grand Prix races during the 2027 season, covering events in Belgium, Portugal and Türkiye, according to an official announcement issued by the cruise line on 21 September.
The three events are the FORMULA 1 MSC CRUISES BELGIAN GRAND PRIX 2027, FORMULA 1 MSC CRUISES GRANDE PRÊMIO DE PORTUGAL 2027 and FORMULA 1 MSC CRUISES TURKISH GRAND PRIX 2027.
It will mark the second consecutive year that MSC Cruises has held title sponsorship of three races during a Formula 1® season. The agreements form part of the wider partnership between Formula 1® and MSC Group’s Cruise Division, which began in 2022 and has been extended through 2030.
Three Formula 1 races receive MSC Cruises title sponsorship
The first of the three sponsored events will take place in Portugal from 18 to 20 June 2027.
The FORMULA 1 MSC CRUISES GRANDE PRÊMIO DE PORTUGAL 2027 will be staged at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve. Formula 1® returns to Portugal following a period away from the calendar, with the Algarve circuit characterised by technical sections and changes in elevation.
The second title-sponsored race will be the FORMULA 1 MSC CRUISES BELGIAN GRAND PRIX 2027, scheduled for 23 to 25 July.
The event will take place at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in the Belgian Ardennes. The circuit measures 7.004 kilometres and is among the longest tracks on the Formula 1® calendar.
Türkiye will host the third MSC Cruises title-sponsored event from 1 to 3 October 2027.
The FORMULA 1 MSC CRUISES TURKISH GRAND PRIX 2027 will be held at Istanbul Park as the Turkish Grand Prix returns to the Formula 1® calendar under a new five-year agreement beginning in 2027.
Istanbul Park is located around 45 kilometres from Istanbul and first hosted Formula 1® in 2005. Its 5.33-kilometre anti-clockwise circuit has hosted nine Grands Prix.
Formula 1 partnership continues through 2030
The three sponsorship agreements build on MSC Cruises’ existing involvement with Formula 1®, which includes trackside branding and hospitality activities at selected races.
MSC Group’s Cruise Division first entered its global partnership with Formula 1® in 2022. The collaboration has since been extended through 2030.
During the 2027 season, both brands within MSC Group’s Cruise Division, MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys, will have a presence at selected Formula 1® Grands Prix. Activities will include prominent trackside branding.
The title sponsorships also continue MSC Cruises’ association with Formula 1® around the themes identified by the companies as central to their partnership, including teamwork, precision and innovation.
MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys represent Cruise Division
MSC Group’s Cruise Division is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and operates two cruise brands.
MSC Cruises covers the contemporary and premium segments and currently operates a fleet of 23 ships. Its itineraries span five continents, with cruises visiting more than 100 countries and over 250 destinations worldwide.
Explora Journeys is MSC Group’s luxury ocean travel brand. Launched in 2023, its fleet currently comprises two ships, with plans to expand to six vessels by 2028.
The two brands will continue to participate in selected Formula 1® events as part of the wider Cruise Division partnership during the 2027 season.
2027 sponsorship builds on existing race activations
MSC Cruises’ three title sponsorships for 2027 will sit alongside the brand’s existing Formula 1® trackside and hospitality activities.
The Belgian, Portuguese and Turkish races will give the cruise line title sponsorship across three separate events between June and October 2027, while the wider agreement between Formula 1® and MSC Group’s Cruise Division is set to continue through 2030.ers.
Source: Official announcement by MSC Cruises on 21 September, 2026, Geneva.
