This year’s Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach will look and feel a little different, but race organizers say attendees can still expect a weekend filled with loud noise, food and libations, and a concert on Saturday, Sept. 25.

For the first time, the race is being held in late September, and that may be a significant draw: The Long Beach event is the finale in the IndyCare Series and will decide the overall season winner.

Aside from the main event on Sunday, Sept. 26, race weekend will feature some fan favorites such as Super Truck racing, drifting and a Saturday night concert (this year featuring Vince Neil of Mötley Crüe fame). New additions are also planned, including Global Time Attack with 20 modified street cars vying to run the fastest lap around the Downtown course.

Here’s everything you need to know, including how to buy tickets and get to the race.

A map of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach circuit.
Tickets

Cost of tickets ranges from $34 for single-day admission on Friday, to $155 for three days in reserved seating. The addition of parking will add between $20 for a single day pass to $60 for three days at the Pike parking lot.

The official schedule of events can be found here.

Tickets can be purchased online, or call the ticket office at 888-827-7333.

Schedule 

The festivities begin Thursday, Sept. 23, at 11 a.m. with the Long Beach Motorsports Walk of Fame ceremony, and later that evening, with Thunder Thursday at the Pike Outlets from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m.

Gates for race weekend open at 7:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 24, culminating with the main event—the season finale of the 2021 IndyCar series—getting underway at 12:45 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 26.

For the full list of races and other events, click here.

Parking 

If you must drive, pre-paid parking at the Pike and Shoreline parking lots is available through the Acura Grand Prix Ticket office.

All reserved parking lots require a special parking pass, and the number of parking spaces are limited.

All reserved parking is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Reserved parking lots open at 7 a.m. each day and close at posted times daily.

The Pike lot (Chestnut Avenue and Seaside Way) is available for three-day passes, and the Shoreline lot (off Golden Shore Avenue) is available for three days or single-day parking.

Alternative transportation 

If you can avoid driving, consider using public transportation, biking or walking to the Grand Prix.

Lifestyle Expo

This year’s Grand Prix will again feature the Lifestyle Expo all three days of the event, featuring 150 displays with the latest in automotive, home, recreation, travel and entertainment products.

The event also includes the Green Power Prix-View, with exhibits that include hybrid, electric, hydrogen and biodiesel cars, and other energy-saving products, and a Family Fun Zone with rock climbing walls, games, video games and racing simulators.

Food 

Close to two dozen restaurants are within the race circuit boundaries, many of them with television access to view the event’s races.

Attendees can also avail themselves of the Food Truck Experience, located behind Grandstand 31.

COVID-19

New protocols will be in place at this year’s event to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

All attendees will be required to show proof of vaccination against the virus, or a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of the first day of racing (this includes kids over the age of 2).

Attendees will receive a wristband on the first day they attend the race to signify they’ve met the requirements, and won’t have to show proof again on subsequent days.

Masks will also be required at the race, regardless of vaccination status. Masks must be worn unless attendees are actively eating or drinking.

Race organizers will provide rapid COVID-19 testing at all major entryways to the race circuit from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. starting on Tuesday, Sept. 21.