Highlights of The Grand Prix of Long Beach
- The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach returns on April 17–19, 2026, featuring a stacked lineup of racing events and activities.
- Experience the AAA Travel Lifestyle Expo with over 100 exhibitors and a Family Fun Zone for kids and adults alike.
- Enjoy concerts free with race tickets, including Kings of Chaos on Saturday night; plan ahead for limited space.
- New Premium Pit Row Suites offer a VIP experience for fans wanting to watch the race in style.
- Ticket prices range from $56 to $221, with various discounts available for military and groups.
Our city is about to become the center of the motorsports universe again, and if you’re not already buzzing with excitement, let me fix that for you.
The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach returns April 17–19, bringing three days of world-class street racing to downtown Long Beach. Now in its 51st year, this high-speed spectacle features Indy 500 race cars, top sports cars, Formula Drift, and SUPER trucks — all tearing it up on our streets like they own the place. (They kind of do for the weekend, tbh.) Drawing approximately 190,000 fans, this isn’t just a race. It’s a whole vibe. It’s our vibe.
The legendary 11-turn, 1.97-mile street circuit hugging the edge of the Pacific? Still iconic. The backdrop of the Pike Outlets, the Aquarium, and the Convention Center? Still stunning. What’s new? Oh, just a whole lot of upgrades, because Long Beach doesn’t do anything halfway.
The AAA Travel Lifestyle Expo at The Grand Prix of Long Beach
The Lifestyle Expo got a glow-up this year — AAA Travel has signed on as the title sponsor, making it the AAA Travel Lifestyle Expo, with more than 100 exhibitors offering a diverse lineup of brands and experiences including automotive accessories, travel, home improvement, green power, wellness, tech, home and outdoor. Think of it as the world’s most amped-up expo hall, except it’s free to race ticket holders and infinitely more fun than anything you’d find at a convention.
The Green Power Prix-View is still in there for all my eco-nerds (I say that with full love) — electric cars, sustainable tech, all the good stuff. And the NTT INDYCAR SERIES Fan Experience puts you face-to-face with the drivers for autograph sessions and photo ops. Yes, the people who were going 180 mph an hour ago will stand still long enough for a selfie. Take the shot.
The Family Fun Zone
Got kids? Dragging along someone else’s kids? Secretly are a kid? The Family Fun Zone — located in the Long Beach Arena section of the AAA Travel Lifestyle Expo — has rock climbing walls, carnival rides, video games, and much more. Kids 3-to-6 years old can race in their own “Li’l Lightning” race cars! The photo ops alone are worth the price of admission. Those tiny humans in tiny helmets? Undefeated.
The Racing Lineup for The Grand Prix of Long Beach (It’s Stacked)
This year’s race card is seriously impressive. In addition to the featured NTT INDYCAR SERIES and IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship events, the 2026 event hosts the Formula DRIFT Super Drift Challenge on Friday and Saturday nights and doubleheaders Saturday and Sunday from Robby Gordon’s SPEED Energy Stadium SUPER Trucks, Porsche Carrera Cup, and the Historic Sports Car Challenge, featuring muscle cars that competed on road and street courses from the 1970s through 1991.
And for something that’s never happened before — IMSA and INDYCAR races will appear on network TV on the same weekend for the first time! Long Beach, we’re making history out here.
Meet the Drivers of The Grand Prix of Long Beach
One of the absolute best parts of Grand Prix weekend is that the barrier between fan and racing legend basically disappears. Driver autograph sessions put you right in the action, with the chance to meet your favorite drivers face-to-face, snag a signature, and maybe even snap a photo — whether it’s NTT INDYCAR SERIES champions, IMSA WeatherTech sports car heroes, or Formula Drift and Stadium Super Truck daredevils. Check the weekend schedule for times and locations — these go fast, and I mean that literally and figuratively.
The Concert Lineup
Kings of Chaos headlines the Saturday night concert, featuring LIVE’s Ed Kowalczyk, 311’s Nick Hexum, and Aloe Blacc. That is a lineup. Friday night’s act is still TBD, so keep your eyes on @GPLongBeach or click here for the announcement — but if past years are any indication, it’s going to be awesome.
Concerts are free to each day’s race ticket holders, with space at the plaza limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Translation: don’t be the person who shows up late and misses Kings of Chaos. Plan accordingly.
New in 2026: Premium Pit Row Suites
Oh, you fancy? The all-new double-decker Premium Pit Row Suites give the event an exciting new look on Shoreline Drive and honestly sound like the most extra (in the best way) way to watch a race. If you’ve ever wanted to feel like a VIP sponsor while sipping something cold and watching Indy cars blur past you, this is your year. Click here to learn more.
Walk of Fame Moment
This year’s Long Beach Motorsports Walk of Fame inductees are Alexander Rossi and Former Mayor Bob Foster. Two legends, one ceremony — it’s a proper LBC moment and worth catching if you’re there Thursday.
Tickets & Pricing for The Grand Prix of Long Beach
Here’s the breakdown so you have zero excuses not to go:
Ticket prices range from $56 for a Friday General Admission ticket to $221 for a three-day ticket that includes Saturday/Sunday reserved seating. Children 12 and under are admitted free with a ticketed adult, though they’ll need a Junior ticket to sit in the grandstands.
U.S. Armed Forces veterans and active military get a 10% discount on admission tickets. Groups of 25 or more also qualify for a 10% discount.
Grab tickets at gplb.com/tickets. Questions? Hit up [email protected] or call (888) 827-7333
Parking (Read This Before You Go)
Event parking can be reserved through the Acura Grand Prix Ticket office and is pre-paid for Pike Parking (Chestnut Ave & Seaside Way) and Shoreline Parking (entry off the 710 freeway at Broadway). There are also a variety of city-owned and private lots throughout downtown. Not sure which lot works best for your seats? Check out the official circuit map — it shows all parking locations relative to the grandstands and track so you can plan your approach like a pro.
And look — I’m going to save you from a bad day: tailgating and overnight camping are NOT allowed in any reserved parking lot, and hang tags must be displayed properly or your vehicle will be towed at your expense. Don’t be that person. Just display your hang tag and enjoy the race.
See you out there, LBC.
FAQs
The Grand Prix of Long Beach takes place April 17–19, 2026 in Downtown Long Beach. Three days, two nights, approximately 190,000 of your new best friends, and zero chill. Mark it, block it, tell your boss you have a “prior commitment.”
The Grand Prix of Long Beach takes over the streets of Downtown Long Beach on an iconic 11-turn, 1.968-mile circuit along Shoreline Drive — with the Pacific Ocean as your backdrop. Because Long Beach doesn’t do anything basic. Check out the official circuit map to get your bearings before you go.
Ticket prices for the Grand Prix of Long Beach range from $56 for a Friday General Admission ticket to $221 for a three-day ticket that includes Saturday/Sunday reserved seating in grandstand upper levels. Children 12 and under are admitted free with a ticketed adult, though they’ll need a Junior ticket to sit in the grandstands. Pre-paid parking, paddock passes, Super Photo tickets, and hospitality packages are also available. Grab yours at gplb.com or call (888) 827-7333.
Yes and yes! U.S. Armed Forces veterans and active military are eligible for a 10% discount on admission tickets to the Grand Prix of Long Beach. Groups of 25 or more also qualify for a 10% discount. Call (888) 827-7333 to get those deals sorted.
Absolutely — the Grand Prix of Long Beach is way more than just watching cars go fast (though that part rules). The Lifestyle Expo with more than 100 exhibitors and the Family Fun Zone in the Long Beach Arena are both free to all race attendees. Concerts are also free to that day’s ticket holders. You’re getting a full festival for the price of a race ticket.
Bring them! The Grand Prix of Long Beach is genuinely family-friendly. Kids 12 and under get in free with a ticketed adult, and the Family Fun Zone was basically made for them — rock climbing walls, carnival rides, racing simulators, and the adorable Li’l Lightning mini race cars for the 3-to-6 crowd. Fair warning: your kids will leave wanting to be race car drivers. You’ve been told.
Event parking for the Grand Prix of Long Beach can be reserved through the Acura Grand Prix Ticket office and is pre-paid for Pike Parking at Chestnut Ave & Seaside Way, and Shoreline Parking with entry off the 710 freeway at Broadway. There are also a variety of city-owned and private lots throughout downtown. See the official circuit map to find the lot closest to your seats. Note that tailgating and overnight camping are NOT allowed in any reserved parking lot, and hang tags must be displayed properly or your vehicle will be towed at your expense. You know the drill — display your hang tag, skip the drama.
The Grand Prix of Long Beach has ADA-compliant grandstands and Clubs available at the track. Parking for disabled persons is available and must be reserved in advance — you must have a Reserved Parking Pass along with your valid blue California disabled parking placard, and both must be displayed. For more info, call (888) 827-7333.
Photo courtesy of John Bosma/GPALB
