Vroom Vroom, the Grand Prix in Montreal is almost here, and, just like every year, it’s going to be three days of thrills where all Montrealers—including those who couldn’t name a single race car driver if their lives depended on it the rest of the year—become die-hard fans ofracing and F1, and can describe every twist and turn of the Gilles Villeneuve Circuit with precision.
This year, the Grand Prix is here a month early and will take place for the first time in May—from May 22 to 24, 2026. It’s a lifestyle and a huge party for the whole city —tactical sunglasses optional, obsession with speed mandatory.
A bit of history—the Gilles Villeneuve Circuit
Gilles Villeneuve is one of Canada’s sporting icons—literally, some sports fans say a little prayer to Gilles Villeneuve before a tough day.
The F1 driver was born in 1950 in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu (for those who want to make a pilgrimage there, we have a village tour guide here!). He won 6 Grand Prix races, all with Ferrari, and stood on the podium 13 times.
His short but illustrious career and his tragic death in 1982 during a qualifying lap at the Belgian Grand Prix in Zolder transformed this great race car driver into an immortal idol —and the circumstances of the accident that caused his death are still debated to this day.
He was the one who inaugurated the Circuit de l’Île Notre-Dame in Montreal—with a victory at the Canadian Grand Prix in 1978—and now the circuit bears his name.
The Canadian Grand Prix takes place on this circuit, the Gilles Villeneuve Circuit, located on Île Notre-Dame—in Jean-Drapeau Park.
The circuit is 4.361 km long, has 14 tight turns, and straights where speeds exceed 300 km/h. It is renowned for encouraging daring overtakes and driving errors—dangerous, exciting. Drivers complete the lap in under 1 minute and 15 seconds.
During the Grand Prix, the participating drivers complete 70 laps, covering a distance of 305.27 km.
There are three practice sessions on June 13 and 14, followed by qualifying on the afternoon of June 14 and the race on June 15 at 2 p.m.
The Gilles VilleneuveCircuit, surrounded by the tall green trees of Île Notre-Dame, is known as one of the most beautiful Grand Prix circuits in the world.
May 22–24, 2026 – Grand Prix
This year, the F1 race runs from Friday, May 22, to Sunday , May 24, 2026, and it’s a Friday that many Quebecers will take off to spend the three-day weekend in Montreal.
The race is on Sunday, May 24 at 4 p.m., and the three days of the Grand Prix are organized as follows:
- Friday, May 22, from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM: Practice 1
- Friday, May 22, from 4:30 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.: Sprint Qualifying
- Saturday, May 23, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM: Sprint
- Saturday, May 23, from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM: Qualifying
- Sunday, May 24 at 4 p.m.: Race
May 19–24, 2026: IGNITION at the Four Seasons Hotel in Montreal
Every night, there will be a great atmosphere at the Marcus restaurant lounge. The DJ lineup is here;
Wednesday, May 20: Donald Lauture
Thursday, May 21: Pepelz (Dubai), Pat Boogie, Chrissandro, and Hilal
Friday, May 22: Nomis (France), Senudiz, Choby, and Chrissandro
Saturday, May 23: Rawdolff (France), Laura Scavo, Chrissandro, and Kali
Sunday, May 24: SpecialK and KALI
May 22–24, 2026—evening concerts
This year, there will be concerts organized by the Grand Prix on all three evenings of the event.
- Friday, May 22: Simple Plan / Matt Lang
- Saturday, May 23: Bryan Adams / Dean Brody
- Sunday, May 24: Alessia Cara / The Beaches
