Fans Flock to 2026 Long Beach Grand Prix

Qualifying and practice sessions kick off three-day motorsports festival

Apr. 17, 2026 at 6:36pm

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The 2026 Grand Prix of Long Beach kicked off on Friday with practice sessions and high-stakes qualifying for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar series and Porsche Carrera Cup race. Fans flocked to the 11-turn street course to catch a glimpse of the action as the green flag dropped on the three-day motorsports festival.

Why it matters

The Long Beach Grand Prix is one of the most prestigious and well-attended motorsports events in the United States, drawing thousands of fans and generating significant economic activity for the local community. The annual race weekend is a major highlight of the city's cultural calendar.

The details

Friday's events included practice sessions and qualifying for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar series and Porsche Carrera Cup race, setting the stage for the main events over the weekend. Fans lined the streets to watch the cars navigate the challenging 11-turn course, which winds through the heart of downtown Long Beach.

  • The 2026 Grand Prix of Long Beach kicked off on Friday, April 17, 2026.
  • Practice sessions and qualifying took place throughout the day on Friday.

The players

IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar series

A premier North American sports car racing championship featuring a variety of prototype and GT cars.

Porsche Carrera Cup

A single-make racing series featuring the latest Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars.

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What’s next

The main races for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar series and Porsche Carrera Cup will take place on Saturday and Sunday, with the Grand Prix of Long Beach's signature IndyCar race scheduled for Sunday afternoon.

The takeaway

The 2026 Grand Prix of Long Beach kicked off in style on Friday, with fans eagerly anticipating the high-octane action to come over the weekend. The event's mix of top-level motorsports and community celebration continues to make it a must-see event for racing enthusiasts and casual fans alike.