September 24 – 26: Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach 2021
On September 24, the Acura Grand Prix is hitting the streets of downtown Long Beach. For many car enthusiasts, the Long Beach Grand Prix is a must-see event and since it was shut down last year it’s coming back with a bang. It’s known as one of the most intriguing races because of its unique track layout and history that dates back 46 years. This three-day festival brings in all sorts of spectators as they watch world-class drivers charge through the racecourses built on the beloved streets of Long Beach. With a wide variety of activities for the whole family, the Grand Prix boasts a fun and busy weekend for all. Typically, the Long Beach Grand Prix kicks off in the springtime, marking the beginning of race season. This year, the Sunday race will be the final IndyCar race of the season, meaning that the championship will be decided in Long Beach for the first time.
Tickets
Ticket prices vary depending on the package you choose. On the upper end, a three day reserved seating pass costs between $110.00 and $155.00 for adults. You can also choose a Saturday pass for about $75.00. General admission can range from $100 for a 3-day pass, $68 for Saturday admission, and $73 for Sunday admission. Interested in buying tickets, click here for more information.
The Races
Throughout the whole weekend, tires are burning rubber from 9am – 7:30pm with different scheduled events, races, and challenges. The main attractions include the NTT IndyCar Series, IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, the Super Drift Challenge, the Historic Formula Atlantic Challenge, and Robby Gordon’s SPEED Energy Stadium SUPER Trucks. A fun addition to the schedule this year is the Global Time Attach which is the fastest lap competition involving twenty modified street cars. Learn more about each of the races here.
Need a Break from Cars?
The Grand Prix of Long Beach will host a series of family friendly events throughout the weekend. Two concerts will be held on Friday and Saturday night at on an outdoor stage outside of the Performing Arts Center’s Terrace Theater. If you have a ticket for either of those days, the concerts are free! On Saturday night, Vince Neil of Mötley Crüe is the headliner.
For the kids, there’s the Family Fun Zone. There will be rock climbing walls, games, video games, and a host of other activities to keep the little ones entertained!
The Grand Prix offers an unmatched selection of delicious food and beverages on the outskirts of its 1.97-mile race track. Get the Food Truck Experience, located behind Grandstand 31, you’ll find a plethora of food trucks each with its own culinary flair.
Explore Long Beach
If you’re visiting from out of town, there are lots of other things to do around the races. Take a stroll through downtown Long Beach and check out some of the terrific shops and restaurants. Try Bo-beau Kitchen’s rooftop bar and restaurant, District Wine, and the Auld Dubliner Irish Pub.
Parking
You’ll definitely want to reserve a space. View your options here. If you don’t want to pay to reserve a space, here’s a local tip for you – Take the AquaLink! For $5.00 each way, you can park at one of the pick up sites and travel by water to the races. Here’s the schedule for the weekend of the 2021 Grand Prix.
Street Closures
For the locals not planning to attend, stay forewarned. The city will be much more crowded than usual and certain streets will be entirely blocked off. You can expect the closures to be around the Hyatt, Shoreline Village, and the Shoreline Marina from Ocean Blvd and Pine Avenue, find more detailed road closures here. If you have to travel through this area, consider taking public transportation or allow more time than usual with your car.
New COVID Guidelines
The Long Beach Grand Prix is looking a little different this year. To make sure the event is as safe as possible, attendees must either be fully vaccinated or show proof of a negative COVID test within 72 hours of the event. Masks must be worn throughout the duration of the event unless you’re actively eating or drinking. For convenience, there will be rapid COVID test stations at each major entryway.
Leave a Reply