Consumer group files 'illegal' complaint against Madring over food ban ahead of inaugural Spanish GP

The FAQ section of the official Madring website states: "It is not permitted to bring your own food or drink into the venue, unless the Venue Regulations allow for an exception." Food is listed among the circuit's so-called "prohibited objects," and organisers have warned there will be checks at the entrances. FACUA says the race organiser's principal business is staging a sporting event, not selling refreshments, and therefore spectators should not be forced to buy food and drink inside as a condition of attending.

FACUA cited the recent case of the Reggaeton Beach Festival, whose organisers were fined €320,000 by the same ministry for several violations, including charging for re-entry, adding management fees, withholding unused cashless balances, and banning outside food and drinks. The consumer group is now urging the ministry to apply the same standards to Madring, calling the food policy arbitrary and unfair.

The complaint arrives at an awkward moment for an inaugural event that has already sold out its available tickets and is preparing for large crowds from Friday through Sunday. Fans will not be allowed to bring any outside food or drink, not even a bottle of water, while on-site prices start at roughly €12 for the cheapest sandwich. A bottle of water costs €3.50, a beer €7 and soft drinks run €4.50.

Adding to the controversy, spectators must exchange their money for MAD-Coins, a proprietary cashless currency where one MAD-Coin equals one euro. Fans receive a QR code for every purchase, which is linked to a smart wristband that serves as the only accepted form of payment inside the circuit for food, drink, merchandise and other experiences. Organisers say any unspent balance will be refunded after the race without fees, excluding free promotional coins.

FACUA's general secretary Rubén Sánchez stressed in an interview with Onda Cero Madrid Norte that the complaint is not about the prices themselves but about the principle: "What we are denouncing is that they do not allow us to enter with our own food, with our sandwich, for example, made at home," he said.

The Spanish Grand Prix organisers have so far not responded to the complaint or explained their reasoning. A second consumer group, OCU, has also filed a separate complaint with Madrid's regional commerce and consumer services authority over the event's access conditions, according to Spanish outlet Que.es.