The 2026 Grand Prix of Long Beach is around the corner, and our readers have the chance to be part of Southern California’s “200 mph beach party” for free.
Getting your hands on your local newspaper can score you a free ticket to the event’s first day.
This year’s Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach will return to the city’s downtown area from April 17 to 19. Officials at the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach are expecting to welcome thousands to the three-day motorsport showcase, as last year set a record with 197,000 spectators.
As always, the race weekend has something for the whole family — from a family fun zone at the Lifestyle Expo to Kings of Chaos headlining the traditional Saturday night concert.
Tickets for the 51st Grand Prix of Long Beach are already on sale, with general admission tickets for the first day starting at $58, and three-day general admission tickets starting at $151.
But readers can get their hands on a free general admission ticket for the first day of the Grand Prix, on Friday, April 17, by grabbing a copy of one of the Southern California News Group’s 11 daily newspapers on select days.
“The Southern California News Group is pleased each year to partner with Grand Prix officials to help present the Free Friday promotion,” Tom Bray, SCNG’s senior editor for Los Angeles County, said in a statement. “We hope everyone gets a chance to get a taste of Long Beach’s defining annual event.”
The Free Friday promotion, which has a $58 value, will run inside SCNG’s daily papers every Friday and Sunday until April 17, with some exceptions. The next opportunity to get a free ticket is Friday, March 27.
You’ll be able to find the Free Friday promotion in any of SCNG’s 11 daily newspapers, including:
Long Beach Press-Telegram
Daily Breeze
Los Angeles Daily News
Pasadena Star-News
Whittier Daily News
San Gabriel Valley Tribune
Orange County Register
Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
San Bernardino Sun
Riverside Press-Enterprise
Redlands Daily Facts
You can find Free Friday tickets on these dates:
Friday, March 27 (sports section)
Saturday, March 28 (sports section)
Friday, April 3 (main news section)
Thursday, April 9 (sports section)
Saturday, April 11 (main news section)
Wednesday, April 15 (sports section)
Friday, April 17 (main news section)
While the event’s main event — the IndyCar Series’ Grand Prix of Long Beach — is on Sunday, April 19, first-day attendees can still watch practice runs for all racing series and qualifying for some others. General admission ticket holders can also check out the Lifestyle Expo, enjoy plenty of food and make their way around the concourse.
For ticket packages for the entire Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach or other information, visit gplb.com.