This news update is brought to you by the City of Long Beach. To find out more about City programs, projects, initiatives and services, please visit longbeach.gov. To find events near you, please visit the City calendar at www.longbeach.gov/events. And follow us on social media @longbeachcity.
Heads Up, Drivers: Upcoming Road Closures for Long Beach Grand Prix
By Staff Writer
Published on Mon, Apr 6, 2026
The 2026 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach and Formula Drift are racing around the corner, and the City of Long Beach is encouraging residents to plan ahead for upcoming traffic impacts in the Downtown Long Beach area.
In preparation for the upcoming events, several streets in the Downtown area will temporarily close starting this week. For Formula Drift, street closures will begin on Friday, April 10 and end by Saturday, April 11 at 7 p.m. Grand Prix street closures will begin Wednesday, April 15, with normal traffic patterns expected to resume by Monday, April 20 at 5 p.m.
Formula Drift Closures:
Friday, April 10 – Saturday, April 11
Racecourse closures begin at 6 a.m. on both days
- Access between Ocean Boulevard and Shoreline Village Drive will close
- Alamitos Beach lot access will be available via eastbound Ocean Boulevard to southbound Shoreline Drive
Access will be restored at 7 p.m. both evenings
- Parking for the event may be available at the Pike parking structure and Long Beach Convention Center.
Grand Prix Street Closures:
Wednesday, April 15 (Racecourse Setup Begins)
- 4 a.m. Side streets off Shoreline Drive and Seaside Way leading into the racecourse will close.
- 7 a.m. Westbound Shoreline Drive, the northbound Queensway Bridge off-ramp, the southbound Queensway Bridge on-ramp from Shoreline Drive, and Aquarium Way south of Shoreline Drive will close.
- 3 p.m. Eastbound Shoreline Drive will close from Broadway to Ocean Boulevard.
Pine Avenue will remain open for access to waterfront destinations including the Hyatt Regency Long Beach, Shoreline Village, marina tenants and nearby restaurants. Vehicles entering at Pine Avenue will exit east through the Marina Green parking area.
The Aquarium of the Pacific will remain accessible via Chestnut Place or Golden Shore Avenue.
Race Weekend Closures:
Friday, April 17 – Sunday, April 19
Racecourse closures begin at 6 a.m. each day
- Access from Ocean Boulevard and Pine Avenue to the Hyatt, Shoreline Village and Shoreline Marina will close.
- Southbound Pine Avenue will close to traffic.
- Interior streets at The Pike Outlets north of Shoreline Drive will close.
- Access to the south side of the racecourse will be available only at Ocean Boulevard and Alamitos Avenue for Grand Prix passholders and boat owner permit holders.
Access restored at 7 p.m. each evening
- Pine Avenue reopens each evening for access to waterfront restaurants, the Hyatt, Shoreline Village and marina tenants.
- Valet parking will be available for waterfront dining, and parking will remain available at Shoreline Village.
Visitors heading to the Aquarium of the Pacific should note that special parking arrangements will be in place during race week. At times when the Aquarium parking structure is unavailable, visitor parking will be available at the Queen Mary parking lot, with shuttle service provided during Aquarium operating hours.
Once the checkered flag waves on Sunday, crews will begin dismantling the racecourse infrastructure. Streets throughout Downtown Long Beach are expected to fully reopen to regular traffic by 5 p.m. on Monday, April 20.
The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach is one of the city’s most anticipated annual events, drawing visitors from across the region and around the world while showcasing Long Beach’s vibrant waterfront and downtown district. Residents and visitors are encouraged to allow extra travel time during racing events and follow posted detour signs when navigating the Downtown area.
