The circuit received FIM homologation on 11 October 2008 and FIA homologation two days later. The complex surrounding the racing track includes a karting circuit, an off-road track, a technology park, a five-star hotel, a sports complex, and residential apartments. Drivers and observers have frequently compared the circuit's character to the old Nürburgring Nordschleife and the original Spa-Francorchamps layout, primarily because of its constantly undulating nature. A1 Team Portugal's Filipe Albuquerque noted big downhill slopes and right-hand turns after the main straight, while A1 Team New Zealand's Earl Bamber described it as having a roller-coaster quality reminiscent of older-era circuits.
The circuit hosted the final round of the World Superbike Championship on 2 November 2008, its first major international event. It confirmed a round of the 2008–09 A1 Grand Prix season and hosted the final round of the 2009 GP2 Series season. From 2010, it hosted rounds of the FIA World Touring Car Championship. In 2016, The Grand Tour filmed its first episode, "The Holy Trinity," at the circuit.
The circuit hosted the Portuguese Grand Prix in 2020 and 2021, both times as an addition to the calendar under exceptional circumstances. In 2020, as the Formula One calendar was extensively revised due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Algarve International Circuit hosted a Portuguese Grand Prix from 23 to 25 October — the first Portuguese Formula One Grand Prix since the 1996 race at the Autódromo do Estoril. The circuit returned for a second time in 2021, hosting the race from 30 April to 2 May. Plans for annual hosting did not materialize for 2022. In December 2025, it was announced the circuit would return to the Formula One calendar in 2027 and 2028 for the Portuguese Grand Prix, replacing the Dutch Grand Prix at Circuit Zandvoort.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the circuit also took on MotoGP rounds. The Portuguese motorcycle Grand Prix was held at Portimão from 20 to 22 November 2020, and a second event — the Algarve Grand Prix — was staged from 5 to 7 November 2021. The circuit has maintained a regular presence on the MotoGP calendar.
In FIA World Endurance Championship terms, the circuit hosted the 8 Hours of Portimão in 2021 and the 6 Hours of Portimão in 2023. European Le Mans Series events at Portimão include the 4 Hours of Portimão, which is a current annual fixture. The 24-hour endurance format has also been hosted via the 24H Series.
The circuit contains a statue in tribute to British World Supersport rider Craig Jones, who was killed in a motorcycle crash at Brands Hatch in 2008. The memorial represents Jones on his motorcycle after crossing the finish line and forms the centerpiece of a landscape sculpture surrounding the main access roundabout. One of the corners at the circuit was formally named after Craig Jones following his death.
In 2022, at the Supersport 300 World Championship round at Portimão, Dutch rider Victor Steeman was fatally injured during Race 1, marking a second fatal accident at the circuit.
The Algarve International Circuit established itself as one of Europe's most demanding and visually striking racing venues during its COVID-era appearances in Formula One and MotoGP. Its undulating layout and wide racing surface drew consistent praise from drivers for its challenge and overtaking potential. Confirmed Formula One appearances through 2027 and 2028 signal a longer-term role in the sport's calendar, and its continued hosting of World Superbike, European Le Mans Series, and MotoGP events underlines its place as one of Portugal's principal motorsport venues.
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