7 Shocking Facts & Must-See Events At The 2025 Acura Grand Prix Of Long Beach

The roar of engines is set to return to the iconic Long Beach street circuit, with the 2025 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach promising to be one of the most action-packed weekends in the event’s 50-year history. Scheduled for April 11–13, 2025, this legendary Southern California event is much more than just a race; it's a massive three-day festival of speed, music, and culture that has become a cornerstone of the NTT IndyCar Series calendar. The latest figures from the 2024 event confirm its powerhouse status, delivering a massive economic impact while drawing record crowds, setting the stage for an even bigger celebration in the upcoming year.

This article dives deep into the most current and essential information for the 2025 Grand Prix, covering the full lineup of racing series, the legendary history, the multi-million dollar impact, and the can't-miss off-track entertainment, including a major concert announcement. Whether you're a devoted IndyCar fan, an IMSA enthusiast, or just looking for a premier Southern California event, the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach offers a unique blend of high-speed competition and metropolitan excitement.

The Complete 2025 Race & Entertainment Lineup

The 2025 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach weekend is packed with a diverse schedule of premier racing series and fan-favorite support events, ensuring non-stop action from Friday through Sunday. The event, which takes place on the challenging 1.968-mile Long Beach street circuit, is anchored by two major North American racing championships.

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NTT IndyCar Series: The Main Event

The crown jewel of the weekend is the NTT IndyCar Series race, scheduled for Sunday, April 13, 2025. This event is typically the third round of the IndyCar season, attracting the sport's biggest stars, including past winners like Josef Newgarden, Scott Dixon, and Will Power. The Long Beach race is renowned for its tight corners and high-speed straights, making it one of the most demanding street courses on the calendar and a major test for drivers and teams like Team Penske and Andretti Global. The defending race winner, Kyle Kirkwood, will be looking to repeat his success against a stacked field.

IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship

The second major attraction is the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, which brings world-class endurance racing to the California coast. The 2025 race will feature both the top-tier GTP (Grand Touring Prototype) and GTD (GT Daytona) classes. Fans can expect to see cutting-edge hybrid prototypes and high-performance GT cars from manufacturers such as Acura, Porsche, Cadillac, and BMW battle it out on the city streets.

Must-See Support Races & Off-Track Action

Beyond the headlining series, the Grand Prix offers a variety of unique and thrilling support races:

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• Formula DRIFT Super Drift Challenge: A massive fan-favorite, this night-time event features the finest drivers from the Formula Drift series sliding their high-horsepower cars through the circuit's corners, offering a spectacle of smoke and precision.
• Stadium Super Trucks: These high-flying trucks, created by legendary racer Robby Gordon, jump over massive ramps placed throughout the street course, providing one of the most unique and gravity-defying shows in motorsports.
• GT America: A single-driver sprint series featuring GT3 and GT4 specification cars, providing excellent wheel-to-wheel racing action.
• Historic IndyCar Challenge: This exhibition race features classic open-wheel cars from previous eras, offering a nostalgic look back at the event's rich history.

Saturday Night Concert Headliner: Foreigner

A key part of the Grand Prix experience is the free Saturday night concert, which is included with any race ticket for that day. For the 2025 event, the legendary rock band Foreigner is confirmed to headline the concert on the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center Terrace Plaza on Saturday, April 12. This concert provides a perfect capstone to a day of racing, blending world-class motorsports with major musical entertainment.

Legends, History, and Record-Breaking Economic Impact

The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach is the longest-running major street race in North America, boasting a history that spans five decades and includes some of the greatest names in motorsports. The event recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, a testament to its enduring popularity and significance.

A History of Champions: F1 and IndyCar Eras

The race originated in 1975 as a Formula 5000 event, but quickly gained international notoriety when it hosted the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix West from 1976 to 1983. This F1 era saw legends of the sport claim victory on the California streets, including Clay Regazzoni, Mario Andretti, Carlos Reutemann, and World Champions Niki Lauda and Gilles Villeneuve.

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In 1984, the event transitioned to the IndyCar series, beginning a new chapter that continues today. The all-time wins leader at Long Beach is American racing legend Al Unser Jr., who dominated the circuit with a remarkable six victories. Other multi-time IndyCar winners include Sébastien Bourdais (3 wins) and Will Power (2 wins). The inaugural IndyCar race was won by Dario Franchitti, solidifying the new era's success.

Fact: The $100 Million Economic Powerhouse

The Grand Prix is not just a sporting event; it's a massive economic driver for Southern California. According to a study, the 2024 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach generated an impressive economic impact of nearly $100 million for the City of Long Beach and the surrounding region. The three-day weekend consistently draws huge crowds, with attendance for the 2024 event exceeding 190,000 people, underscoring its status as a premier sports and entertainment fixture.

The Future of the Long Beach Grand Prix

The future of the Long Beach Grand Prix remains exceptionally bright, building on its half-century of tradition while embracing new developments. The acquisition of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach by Penske Entertainment, the parent company of the NTT IndyCar Series, ensures the race's long-term stability and prominence on the IndyCar calendar.

The organizers continue to invest heavily in the fan experience, which includes the popular Lifestyle Expo, the Family Fun Zone, and various driver autograph sessions, all centered around the Long Beach Convention Center. The combination of world-class racing—featuring the high-tech GTP prototypes of the IMSA WeatherTech Championship and the open-wheel speed of the NTT IndyCar Series—with premier entertainment like the Foreigner concert, guarantees the event's continued success.

The 2025 event, marking the third round of the IndyCar season, is perfectly positioned to capture early-season momentum. With the Long Beach street circuit's reputation for unpredictable, thrilling races, fans can expect high-stakes drama as the world's best drivers navigate the tight turns and concrete walls of the legendary track. The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach is truly a must-attend celebration of speed, history, and Southern California culture.