Here’s what’s happening, and when, during the 2026 Grand Prix of Long Beach – Press Enterprise

Long Beach’s 200-mph beach party is about to rev its engines once again.

The 51st Grand Prix of Long Beach will take place from Friday to Sunday, April 17-19, along the city’s downtown waterfront. And while racing — headlined by the titular IndyCar Series race on Sunday — will be the star of the three-day motorsports extravaganza, there will be plenty more to entertain hardcore and casual racing fans.

So to help you make sense of it all, below is a schedule of Grand Prix events.

Thursday, April 16

11 a.m.-noon: Alexander Rossi and former Mayor Bob Foster will be inducted into the city’s Motorsports Walk of Fame.
6-10 p.m.: The annual Thunder Thursday event at the Pike Outlets, which is free to attend.

Friday, April 17

7:30 a.m.: Gates open.
7:45-8:15 a.m.: Porsche Carrera Cup practice No. 1.
8:25-8:45 a.m.: Historic Sports Car practice No. 1.
9-10 a.m.: IMSA practice No. 1.
10:15-10-45 a.m.: Stadium Super Trucks practice No. 1.
11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.: Porsche Carrera Cup practice No. 2.
12:30-12-50 p.m.: Historic Sports Car practice No. 2.
1:10-2:40 p.m.: IMSA practice No. 2.
3-4:30 p.m.: IndyCar Series practice No. 1.
4:40-5:10 p.m.: Porsche Carrera Cup qualifying.
5:15-6:15 p.m.: IndyCar Series all-driver autograph session.
5:25-6 p.m.: IMSA qualifying.
6:30-8:30 p.m.: Super Drift Challenge No. 1.
6:30-8 p.m.: Friday Concert, starring Lupe Fiasco.
8:30 p.m.: Gates close.

Saturday, April 18

7:30 a.m.: Gates open.
8:30-8:50 a.m.: Historic Sports Car Challenge No. 1.
9:05-9:45 a.m.: Porsche Carrera Cup Race No. 1.
10:30 a.m.-noon: IndyCar Series practice No. 2.
10:30-11 a.m.: IMSA WeatherTech autograph session.
11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.: Porsche Carrera Cup autograph session.
12:05-1 p.m.: IMSA pre-race.
1-3 p.m.: IMSA SportsCar Grand Prix.
3:30-5 p.m.: IndyCar Series qualifying and Firestone Fast 6.
5:15-5:45 p.m.: Stadium Super Trucks Race No. 1.
6:30-8:30 p.m.: Super Drift Challenge No. 2.
6:30- 8 p.m.: Saturday night concert, starring Kings of Chaos and featuring LIVE’s Ed Kowalczyk, 311’s Nick Hexum and Aloe Blacc.
8:30 p.m.: Gates close.

Sunday, April 19

7:30 a.m.: Gates open.
9:20-9:40 a.m.: Historic Sports Car Challenge No. 2.
10-10:30 a.m.: IndyCar Series warm-up.
11:20-noon: Porsche Carrera Cup Race No. 2.
12:15-12:45 p.m.: Stadium Super Trucks Race No. 2.
12:55-1:10 p.m.: Mornings CARnival Car Parade.
1:30-2:30 p.m.: IndyCar Series pre-race.
2:40 p.m.: “Drivers, Start Your Engines!”
2:45-5 p.m.: Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach.
5:30 p.m.: Gates close.