The development of the Algarve International Circuit includes a karting track, off-road track, technology park, five-star hotel, sports complex, and apartments. The total cost for the circuit was €195 million. The circuit hosted the final round of the World Superbike Championship on 2 November 2008. It was confirmed to host a round of the 2008-09 A1 Grand Prix season for 12 April 2009. The Le Mans Series announced a 1000 km night race for 2 August 2009, and the FIA GT Championship announced a round for 13 September 2009. Formula One test sessions were held with the McLaren and Honda teams in December 2008, and Ferrari also ran at Algarve. Toyota tested their new TF109 chassis in January 2009. The circuit also hosted the final round of the 2009 GP2 Series season in September 2009. From 2010, it hosted a round of the FIA World Touring Car Championship.
Max Mosley stated in April 2009 that the circuit's quality could allow it to integrate the Formula One championship as the Portuguese Grand Prix, given a commercial agreement. Due to changes in the 2020 Formula One season, the Algarve International Circuit hosted the 2020 Portuguese Grand Prix. The circuit resembles old Nürburgring and Spa-Francorchamps due to its undulating nature. A1 Team Portugal driver Filipe Albuquerque noted big downhill slopes and right-hand turns after the main straight, and that the circuit width is good for overtaking. A1 Team New Zealand driver Earl Bamber observed many special turns with personality, comparing it to old school circuits with a roller coaster ride. A1 Team France driver Nicolas Prost commented on the new asphalt and low grip. The first episode of The Grand Tour, "The Holy Trinity," was shot here in 2016. In 2022, Victor Steeman died at this circuit during the Supersport 300 World Championship.
In July 2020, it was announced that the circuit would host the Formula One Portuguese Grand Prix from 23 to 25 October, as part of a revised calendar due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This marked the first Portuguese Grand Prix since 1996, which was held at the Autódromo do Estoril. The circuit hosted the Portuguese Grand Prix again in 2021. In August 2020, it was announced that the circuit would host the MotoGP Portuguese motorcycle Grand Prix from 20 to 22 November, ending the coronavirus-hit season. The circuit hosted the Portuguese motorcycle Grand Prix again in 2021 and a second event named the Algarve Grand Prix. In January 2021, it was announced that the circuit would host the FIA World Endurance Championship 8 Hours of Portimão instead of the 1000 Miles of Sebring. For 2022, the circuit was planned to host MotoGP, World SBK, and ELMS races, and for the first time, DTM, TCR Europe, and Lamborghini Super Trofeo World Final. In September 2022, the circuit returned to the 2023 WEC calendar. In December 2025, it was announced that the circuit would return in 2027 and 2028 hosting the Portuguese Grand Prix, replacing the Dutch Grand Prix at Circuit Zandvoort.
The circuit is the site of a statue in tribute to Craig Jones, representing him on his motorbike after passing the finishing line. This statue is part of a monument, partially built, which includes the architectural arrangement of the main access roundabout to the racetrack, created by Paula Hespanha and Manuel Pedro Ferreira Chaves. This monument is a landscape sculpture representing the main straight of a racing circuit. One of the corners of the circuit was named after Craig Jones, a former World Supersport rider who died in a motorcycle crash at Brands Hatch in 2008.
Currently, the circuit hosts events such as the GT Winter Series, Formula Winter Series, Superbike World Championship, European Le Mans Series 4 Hours of Portimão, and the Portuguese motorcycle Grand Prix. Former events include the 24 Hours of Portimão, A1 Grand Prix, FIA Formula 3 European Championship, FIA World Endurance Championship, GP2 Series, and World Touring Car Championship.
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