Long Beach Grand Prix Revs Up with Racing, Concerts, and Championship Drama

The 51st edition of the iconic street race features IndyCar action, high-energy entertainment, and a tight title fight.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 12:33am

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A cubist-style painting depicting the high-speed action of the Long Beach Grand Prix, with cars and drivers broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a vibrant color palette.The iconic Long Beach Grand Prix returns with a high-octane mix of racing, music, and championship drama.Long Beach Today

The 51st Long Beach Grand Prix kicks into high gear this weekend, packing Saturday and Sunday with a full slate of racing, including IndyCar, IMSA sports cars, Stadium Super Trucks, and a drifting competition. In addition to the on-track action, the event will feature autograph sessions, a concert from Kings of Chaos featuring Aloe Blacc, and pre-race festivities leading up to the 90-lap, 177-mile Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Sunday.

Why it matters

The Long Beach Grand Prix is one of the most iconic and prestigious events on the IndyCar calendar, drawing over 200,000 fans to the streets of Long Beach, California. The race is a crucial stop in the championship battle, with Kyle Kirkwood holding a slim two-point lead over defending champion Alex Palou heading into the weekend.

The details

Saturday's schedule includes the Historic Sports Car Challenge, Porsche Carrera Cup race, and a crucial IndyCar practice session leading into qualifying. The IMSA sports car race and Stadium Super Trucks will also be in action, while the evening will feature the final round of the drifting competition. Sunday's main event is the 90-lap Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, which is expected to see the IndyCar drivers burn roughly 4,860 gallons of fuel over the race distance.

  • The 51st Long Beach Grand Prix takes place on April 19-21, 2026.
  • Saturday's events begin at 7:30 a.m. with gates opening.
  • The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach is scheduled to start at 2:45 p.m. on Sunday, April 21.

The players

Kyle Kirkwood

The current IndyCar championship leader, Kirkwood is the only driver to finish in the top five in all four races so far this season.

Alex Palou

The defending IndyCar champion, Palou is currently second in the standings, trailing Kirkwood by just two points heading into the Long Beach race.

Acura

The title sponsor of the Long Beach Grand Prix, Acura is a luxury vehicle division of Honda Motor Company.

Kings of Chaos

A supergroup featuring various rock musicians, including Aloe Blacc, who will perform a concert at the Terrace Theater plaza on Saturday night.

IndyCar

The premier open-wheel racing series in North America, which will be the main attraction of the Long Beach Grand Prix.

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What’s next

The Long Beach Grand Prix is a crucial stop in the 2026 IndyCar championship battle, with Kyle Kirkwood and Alex Palou separated by just two points heading into the weekend. The results of the race could have a significant impact on the title fight as the season progresses.

The takeaway

The Long Beach Grand Prix is a must-see event for motorsports fans, offering a unique blend of high-speed racing, live music, and championship-level drama. The event's commitment to sustainability, with the use of 100% renewable race fuel, also highlights IndyCar's efforts to reduce its environmental impact.