![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/merch-store-owner-1024x768.jpg\")
Founder of merch store Fanabox, Max Bitton stands outside his shop in Old Port Montreal on May 19, 2026. (Lola Kalder, CityNews)<\/p>\nFrom roaring Formula 1 engines to equally revved-up hockey crowds, Montreal is preparing for one of its busiest sports weekends of the year.<\/p>\n
In just a few days, the world\u2019s fastest cars will take to the track at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on \u00cele Notre-Dame. At the same time, the Montreal Canadiens will be playing in the Eastern Conference final against the Carolina Hurricanes.<\/p>\n
With hundreds of thousands of fans expected to descend on the city for the race weekend, Montreal businesses are already beginning to feel a massive excitement and economic boost ahead of lights out.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis year is going to be crazy,\u201d said Max Bitton, founder of the Fanabox F1 store in Old Montreal. \u201cWe have playoffs and we have F1 and we have the FIFA World Cup in Canada. I think in business, it\u2019s going to be great for Canadians in general because we\u2019re going to be the hub of international sports.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Bitton, the international crowd is the lifeblood of race week, noting that roughly 75 per cent of his customers travel in from outside the city for the Grand Prix weekend. He also believes the permanent schedule shift will pay dividends.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think also the fact that there\u2019s going to be a race a month in advance, it\u2019s going to introduce Formula One to a lot of fans that are not used to seeing F1. It\u2019s going to bring a really good, fresh influx of tourism for all the businesses here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Founder of merch store Fanabox, Max Bitton stands outside his shop in Old Port Montreal on May 19, 2026. (Lola Kalder, CityNews)<\/p>\n
The hospitality industry is already seeing returns. The city\u2019s hotels are packed, largely because of the overlap in sporting attractions.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s going to be incredible. So, we\u2019re sold out for the four nights,\u201d said Marc-Andr\u00e9 Dandeneau, general manager of H\u00f4tel Saint-Sulpice.<\/p>\n
The high-octane race weekend comes at a time when intense hockey fever has gripped the city. The Montreal Canadiens clinched a dramatic, overtime Game 7 win on Monday night against the Buffalo Sabres. The thrilling victory sets up what promises to be an electric Saturday night across downtown Montreal, before the team returns home on Monday for Game 3 of their playoff series.<\/p>\n
Managing both crowds simultaneously will be a unique test for the city\u2019s infrastructure.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would prefer to have them like after one of each other. So to have them together is going to be a bit too crazy,\u201d admitted Dandeneau. \u201cIt\u2019s going to be a bit difficult for the fans, but for the hotel industry, it\u2019s amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n
With massive crowds taking over downtown roads and transit lines, Montreal officials announced new mobility measures on Tuesday aimed at helping fans move around more smoothly. Sandrine Garneau, director of brand strategy and operations for the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix, emphasized that the city is fully prepared for the logistical challenge.<\/p>\n
![\"photo](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Sandrine-Garneau-f1-promoteur-1024x813.jpg\")
Sandrine Garneau Director of Brand Strategy & Operations for the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix at Jean Drapeau speaks at a press conference ahead of weekend race on May 19, 2026. (Cordelia Appleyard, CityNews)<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are all mobilized to make access to the site as fluid as possible during Grand Prix weekend,\u201d Garneau stated during a press conference Tuesday. \u201cIt is the biggest sporting and tourism event in the country. Ninety-seven per cent of our fans come either by public transport or active transport.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite the double-booking of sports spectacles, incoming travellers are praising Montreal\u2019s transit system.<\/p>\n
\u201cCompared to other races I\u2019ve been to, the system for getting fans to and off the island is probably\u2026 like, a lot of fans who go there will probably say it\u2019s not, but I can promise you it\u2019s more efficient than other places I\u2019ve been,\u201d said Matt Gu, a visiting fan. \u201cSo yeah, the metro and the ferries are great ways to access the race and it\u2019s very walkable, so it\u2019s a great location.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/mercedes-fan-1024x768.jpg\")
Visiting from Vancouver for the race, Matt Gu poses in front of his favourite team, Mercedes, in Fanabox store on May 19, 2026 (Cordelia Appleyard CityNews)<\/p>\n
Gu added that on top of the atmosphere, he is \u201cexcited to also see George Russell hopefully win this weekend.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fans from across Canada and around the world are already arriving in the city, showcasing the global draw of the circuit.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re from Birmingham and we\u2019re visiting for the F1,\u201d said tourist Ria Patel. \u201cSo, this will actually be my 10th race that I\u2019ve travelled for.\u201d Patel is rooting for .Max Verstappen. \u201c100 per cent since day one.\u201d<\/p>\n
Other international fans echoed the sentiment that Montreal holds a special place on the global F1 map. \u201cIt\u2019s my favourite track other than probably Silverstone in England,\u201d said fan Jayden Soar, who travelled to the race with Alexis Soar. \u201cSo it was one track that I was like, I want to see that one day.\u201d The duo are cheering for McLaren and are \u201cbig Oscar (Piastri) fans.\u201d<\/p>\n
Even the people working the track recognize the unique magic of the island circuit.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the most beautiful circuit,\u201d said F1 track marshal Nathalie Courn\u00e8de. \u201cI\u2019ve worked at many Grand Prix races, but this one is especially close to my heart, and this is my third year coming here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Montreal fans are also keeping their eyes on local talent as the engines prepare to roar. \u201cWe are Montrealers. We\u2019ve got to support the Canadian driver,\u201d said Bitton. \u201cSo go Lance (Stroll).\u201d<\/p>\n
With files from Lola Kalder<\/p>\n
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\t\t\t\tCanadians and Formula 1 flag above merchandise store in Old Port ahead of one of the busiest weekends in Montreal sports on May 19 2026 (Lola Kalder, CityNews) <\/p>\n
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