Formula Drift Returns to Long Beach Streets

Annual drifting championship kicks off 2026 season in downtown Long Beach

Apr. 11, 2026 at 12:03am

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A blurred, abstract image of Formula Drift race cars drifting through the streets of Long Beach, conveying the intense speed and motion of the event through vibrant streaks of color.The high-speed, high-skill drifting competition of Formula Drift returns to the streets of Long Beach, drawing thousands of fans to witness the thrilling action.Long Beach Today

The sound of skidding tires and the smell of burning rubber filled the air on Friday, April 10, as Formula DRIFT made its return to the streets of downtown Long Beach. Hundreds of people attended the first day of the 2026 championship season's Round One, watching drivers intentionally spin and skid their souped-up vehicles during practice, warmup, and qualifying runs.

Why it matters

Formula Drift is North America's premier professional drifting series, drawing thousands of fans and car enthusiasts to the annual event in Long Beach. The return of the high-speed, high-skill competition to the city's streets is an exciting annual tradition that showcases the sport's popularity and the region's automotive culture.

The details

On Friday, attendees got to meet drivers, purchase merchandise from their favorite teams, and even experience a bit of drifting themselves through Ford's ride-along program with professional drivers. The main competition event will take place on Saturday, April 11, allowing fans to see the full high-speed, high-skill drifting action.

  • The 2026 Formula DRIFT championship season kicked off on Friday, April 10.
  • The main competition event will take place on Saturday, April 11.

The players

Formula DRIFT

North America's premier professional drifting series, which holds an annual event in downtown Long Beach.

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The takeaway

The return of Formula Drift to Long Beach's streets is an exciting annual tradition that showcases the region's automotive culture and the popularity of this high-speed, high-skill drifting competition.