The circuit was constructed in less than a year by a workforce of 1,000 personnel at a cost of US$58 million. It opened in 2004, establishing itself as a premier motorsport venue in the Persian Gulf. The inaugural event was the 2004 Qatar motorcycle Grand Prix, which saw Sete Gibernau take the first victory at the venue. The original layout was designed to accommodate high-level international competition from its inception, serving as a permanent fixture for both two-wheel and four-wheel racing in the region.
In 2007, the facility underwent a significant technological expansion with the installation of permanent outdoor lighting. Executed by Musco Lighting, the project was at the time the largest permanent sports lighting installation in the world. This infrastructure allowed the circuit to host the first night race in MotoGP history during the 2008 Qatar motorcycle Grand Prix. While it held the record for the largest lighting project for several years, it was eventually surpassed by the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. The lighting system also enabled other series, such as the GP2 Asia Series, to hold nighttime events starting in 2009.
The circuit underwent a major renovation and facility upgrade prior to the second edition of the Formula One Qatar Grand Prix. These improvements included a massive increase in spectator capacity, rising from an original 8,000 to 52,000. These upgrades were designed to modernize the venue for the requirements of the Formula One World Championship, which first visited the track in 2021 for its 20th round. The renovation ensured the paddock and grandstand facilities met the standards for the long-term hosting of the event.
While widely recognized for its association with MotoGP and Formula One, Lusail has hosted a diverse array of international championships. The Superbike World Championship (World SBK) visited the track during two distinct periods, from 2005 to 2009 and again from 2014 to 2019. The World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) held the Race of Qatar at the venue between 2015 and 2017.
In 2024, the circuit expanded its portfolio to include endurance racing, becoming the host of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) season opener, known as the Qatar 1812 km. The venue also serves as the site for the WEC Prologue, the championship's official pre-season testing sessions. Other notable past events include the FIM Endurance World Championship's 8 Hours of Doha, the Motocross World Championship, and the Grand Prix Masters.
The Lusail International Circuit remains a central hub for Middle Eastern motorsport, hosting a dense calendar of events including Formula 2, the F1 Academy, and the Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East. As of February 2026, the official lap record for the current 5.419 km layout is 1:22.384, established by Lando Norris in a McLaren during the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix. The absolute fastest lap recorded at the circuit was a 1:19.387, set by Oscar Piastri during qualifying for the 2025 Qatar Grand Prix. The circuit continues to host major international finales and season openers, including the 24H Series Middle East and the Formula Regional Middle East Trophy.
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