After several years to bring the circuit from concept to reality, construction started in 2008 and the circuit was open by November of the same year.

Located in the south of Portugal near to the city of Portimão, the Algarve International Circuit is an undulating and thoroughly modern facility which cost €195 million to complete.

Touring cars first came to the venue in 2010 with a round of the WTCC, which returned again in 2012, the Portuguese promoter alternating years with a race on the streets of Porto.

WTCC didn’t return after this, instead preferring Portuguese street races in Vila Real, and a one-off visit from TCR International in 2015 failed to lead to any more regular tin-top outings at the track. However, from 2022, TCR Europe has held a round at the 4.6 km circuit.

Initially awarded a Grade 1-T licence to allow for Formula One testing, after a decade the venue finally gained FIA Grade 1 licence and hosted the Portuguese Grand Prix, the event stepping in as part of a truncated F1 season due to the global Coronavirus pandemic. A GP was held again in 2021, before once again being dropped from the calendar.