2026 Formula Drift USA Streets of Long Beach

• Two-day format: Friday qualifying and Saturday knockout competition through Top 32 bracket
• Season opener for Formula Drift — marks two decades in Long Beach
• Tight circuit using Grand Prix turns 9 and 11, one of the most demanding Formula Drift layouts
• Grandstands line the shoreline with downtown backdrop
• Open pit access lets you walk through team setups and talk with mechanics

Best Way to Experience It

• Grandstands 16, 18 and 24 offer closest sightlines to drift initiation and chase zones
• Arrive early for best unreserved grandstand positioning — crowds concentrate near Pine Avenue and Shoreline Village

Good to Know

• Children age 3 and under receive free admission as lap seats
• Parking available at Pike parking structure and Long Beach Convention Center during event
• Coolers, camping chairs and large backpacks prohibited at venue
• Minimal shade in grandstands; bring hat and sunscreen for all-day attendance
• Reserved parking packages available for pre-purchase online before event weekend

• Best fit if you enjoy championship openers — Round 1 of eight-stop Formula DRIFT PRO Championship, season-opening stakes where 2026 title chase begins, Long Beach bookends calendar with October finale determining champion.
• Best fit if you value urban motorsport venues — Downtown Long Beach street circuit uses turns 9-11 section with concrete walls mere inches from sideways door handles, immovable barriers reward aggressive entries, waterfront Convention Center backdrop.
• Best fit if you like grassroots car culture — Pit access included with general admission, driver autograph sessions, lifestyle expo showcasing tuner industry, children 3-and-under free, enthusiast community atmosphere beyond just competition.
• Not ideal if you prefer open-wheel racing formats — Judged tandem drifting emphasizes style, angle, proximity over lap times, concrete barriers limit run-off areas, no open paddock wandering between sessions like some track-based events.