The Acura Grand Prix rolls into town April 12-14. Photo courtesy of the Acura Grand Prix.

The 45th edition of the Grand Prix will again bring tens of thousands of IndyCar race fans to Downtown Long Beach in mid-April.

Among the biggest changes to the race this year is its new title sponsor—Acura—which replaced Toyota Motors, the race’s sponsor for more than four decades.

Fans, however, may not notice much about the change aside from new colors (and new name) on promotional materials.

As always, the weekend festivities will feature Stadium Super Trucks, evening concerts, food trucks, libations—and of course, the main event, the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Sunday.

The race is Friday, April 12, through Sunday, April 14. Gates open each day at 7 a.m.

The Stadium Super Trucks will practice Friday and compete Saturday and Sunday. Photo courtesy of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach.

Schedule

All three days are packed with racing and demonstrations. For the full schedule of activities, click here.

  • Friday, known as the “locals” day, includes qualifying races for the Historic IMSA GTO and BUBBA burger SportsCar Grand Prix, along with practices for the IndyCar series, the always popular Stadium Super Trucks and the Pirelli GT4 America.
  • The main event on Saturday is the SportsCar Grand Prix of Long Beach (at 2 p.m.) and the first race of the Stadium Super Trucks (4:15 p.m.)
  • Sunday is what real race fans come to see: the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach (the fourth race of the IndyCar series), at 1:40 p.m.

Tickets

A general admission three-day pass costs $95, or $147 for reserved seating.

Single day tickets are also available from $33 (on Friday) to $90 (on Sunday).

For information, call the ticket office at 888-827-7333.

The Cult performed at the 44th Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach on Saturday April 14, 2018. Photo courtesy of Ron Lyon Photo.

Entertainment

Even if you’re not into car racing, there’s plenty to do at the Grand Prix.

Visit the Lifestyle Expo, which includes more than 150 displays and 270,000 square feet with real estate, home, automotive, recreation and other businesses.

The expo is also the site of the IndyCar Series Fan Experience, along with the Family Fun Zone and several driver autograph sessions.

Concerts

The Friday Fiesta concert will feature El Tri, a Mexico City band fronted by bassist-vocalist Alex Lora. The concert will begin after the day’s racing events, at approximately 6:45 p.m., on the plaza in front of the Performing Arts Center and is free to all Grand Prix ticket holders.

Long Beach’s homegrown rockers Cold War Kids will headline the Saturday night concert on April 13. The five-piece indie rock band formed in Fullerton in 2004, but achieved most of its success after relocating to Long Beach in 2008. Opening for Cold War Kids on Grand Prix Saturday will be the electronica trio Moontower.

Parking

This is the time to use your Transit pass, carpool, or ride-sharing app. Parking is expensive, and traffic will be bad. (Local road closures are still forthcoming.)

Parking is available in the Marina lot, located on the south side of Shoreline Drive behind Grandstands 24, 25, 26, 27, 29, 30 and 31. Enter off Ocean Boulevard and Alamitos Avenue. Passes are sold on a three-day basis.

Parking is also available in the Shoreline lot, located west of the race circuit at the end of the 710 Freeway. Passes are sold on a three-day or single-day basis.