Downtown Long Beach is already trading weekday traffic for race-week energy, as crews roll in concrete barriers and start stacking grandstands ahead of next month’s Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. It is the first full Grand Prix weekend under Penske Entertainment’s ownership, arriving just as longtime race boss Jim Michaelian prepares to hand day-to-day control to a successor later this year.
Crews kick off the street-circuit buildout
The ceremonial start to track construction came at a Thursday press event, where Mayor Rex Richardson joined race officials and labor leaders to mark the annual transformation of Shoreline Drive and surrounding streets. Workers are dropping in concrete anchor blocks, assembling grandstands, and installing safety fencing and barriers as organizers piece together the 1.97-mile, 11-turn course, according to the Long Beach Post.
Race weekend dates and what hits the track
The three-day festival is scheduled for April 17–19 and will again put the NTT INDYCAR Series and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship on the downtown streets. The Long Beach Street Circuit dates, location, and on-site details for teams and fans are confirmed on the official event listing from IMSA.
Penske era brings upgrades and fresh investment
Penske Entertainment purchased the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach in 2024 and has signaled plans to pump money into hospitality spaces and fan amenities around pit lane. “We’re incredibly proud to be the new stewards of this cherished and iconic event,” Roger Penske said in the acquisition announcement, which also outlined plans to bolster hospitality offerings and refresh seating, per the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach.
Leadership handoff starts this spring
Michaelian is set to shift into a new role with Penske Entertainment effective June 30 while still guiding the event through the 2026 weekend. Jim Liaw will serve as General Manager for the event, then formally step into the president and CEO role on July 1, according to INDYCAR.
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