Track Construction Begins for 2026 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach

Annual IndyCar and IMSA event set for April 17-19 in Southern California

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Track construction has officially begun for the 2026 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, the annual IndyCar and IMSA racing event held on the streets of Long Beach, California. Over the next 50 days, crews will install more than 2,400 concrete blocks, 14 large grandstands, and other infrastructure to transform the city streets into a 1.97-mile, 11-turn racing circuit. The event is expected to draw over 200,000 fans, making it one of the largest economic drivers for the city.

Why it matters

The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach is a longstanding tradition in Southern California, celebrating its 50th anniversary last year. The race not only draws huge crowds and generates significant economic impact for the city, but also serves as a showcase for Long Beach's culture, diversity, and community. As the city prepares to host the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Grand Prix will be an important event to highlight Long Beach's capabilities as a world-class host.

The details

Track construction began on Thursday with a ceremonial concrete block drop at what will become Turn 10 of the racecourse. Joining the event were Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson, Acura executives, union leaders, and Grand Prix organizers. In total, the construction process will involve more than 33,000 working hours to install the safety system, grandstands, hospitality suites, and other infrastructure. The eastern portion of the track will also be used for a Formula Drift event and a 5K run prior to the Grand Prix weekend.

  • Track construction began on Thursday, February 27, 2026.
  • The 2026 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach is scheduled for April 17-19, 2026.

The players

Rex Richardson

The Mayor of Long Beach, California.

Todd Knepp

Assistant Manager of Acura Regional Marketing.

Jim Michaelian

President and CEO of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach.

Dwight Tanaka

Director of Operations for the Grand Prix of Long Beach.

Jim Liaw

General Manager of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach.

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What they’re saying

“The Acura Grand Prix is one of the largest economic drivers to our city. Last year, we generated about $60 million in economic impact and we welcomed 200,000 people to our coastline. And what's unique about the event is that it allows us to showcase the city and for folks to experience the Long Beach vibe, our culture. Great people, great food, great diversity—and in two years, we welcome the world for the Olympic and Paralympic games.”

— Rex Richardson, Mayor of Long Beach (autoracing1.com)

“We're coming off a very successful 50th anniversary celebration last year and we are planning to build on that success. This is always a great day because the moment we begin building the racetrack is when it all truly comes to life. You can feel the energy start to build across the city as our team transforms the streets of Long Beach into a world-class racing venue. It's a powerful reminder that we're not just preparing for a race – we're setting the stage for a memorable weekend in our beautiful community.”

— Jim Michaelian, President and CEO, Grand Prix Association of Long Beach (autoracing1.com)

What’s next

The eastern portion of the racetrack (Turns 9, 10 and 11) will also be used for Round One of the eight-event 2026 Formula Drift season April 10-11, and part of the circuit will be used as a running course for the Grand Prix Foundation of Long Beach's 8th Annual Grand Prix 5K Run on Sunday morning, April 12.

The takeaway

The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach is a longstanding tradition that not only brings world-class racing to Southern California, but also serves as a major economic driver and community event for the city of Long Beach. As the city prepares to host the 2028 Olympics, the Grand Prix will be an important showcase of Long Beach's capabilities as a global host.