The Canadian Grand Prix has a reputation among fans as one of the most fun weekends on the calendar, thanks to the race action, the circuit activities, and the lively city it lands in. Montreal during race week is alive in a way that very few race destinations can match, and the Canadian Grand Prix has become as much a part of the city’s identity as its food, its festivals, and its particular brand of energy with a vibe that sits somewhere between North American and unmistakably French.

Montreal, the European capital of North America

The largest city in Canada’s Québec province is set on an island in the Saint Lawrence River. Named after Mt. Royal, the triple-peaked hill at its heart, it has the grand boulevards and café terrasses of a European capital alongside the scale and pace of a major North American city. In late May and early June, when the temperatures finally climb, and the Canadian Grand Prix rolls into town, those two worlds collide in the best possible way.

Streets that are already busy get taken over. Crescent Street, which runs through the heart of the city’s entertainment district, transforms into a week-long outdoor festival. The metro fills with people in team colours. And Île Notre-Dame — a man-made island in the middle of the St. Lawrence River — becomes the unlikely home of one of motorsport’s most iconic circuits.

To understand what Montreal race week actually feels like, we spoke with Jezabel, a 22-year-old local content creator and fan who lives near the city and attended her first Grand Prix in 2024. Since posting her first video in September of that year, she’s built a community of motorsport fans and is known for giving great advice to attend her home race.

For fans arriving from outside Canada, or even from other parts of the country, that mix is one of Montreal’s most reliable surprises. It doesn’t feel like anywhere else.

What’s happening at the 2026 Canadian Grand Prix?

The 2026 Canadian Grand Prix runs from May 22–24 at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, a track that winds around the perimeter of Île Notre-Dame in the St. Lawrence River. It’s a street-style circuit — fast, punishing on brakes, and famous for the Wall of Champions, the barrier at the final chicane that has ended more than a few promising race days.

This year is also a Sprint weekend for Formula 1, which means the schedule is packed tighter than usual. There is barely a gap between sessions, and if you like your race weekends dense with on-track action, Montreal delivers exactly that. Formula 1 arrives here, coming off the Miami Grand Prix a fortnight earlier, and the momentum of the season will be building.

It also marks the return of F1 ACADEMY and Formula 2, with the Canadian round carrying even more weight. Due to the cancellation of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, both championships faced a calendar gap that needed to be made up. For F1 ACADEMY, the solution came in the form of a three-race format in Montreal, and again later in Austin. What that means in practice is that fans at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve get more F1 ACADEMY racing than a standard weekend would offer.

And unlike most rounds on the calendar, fans of the all-female championship can get genuinely close. There is public access to the F1 ACADEMY paddock located in the orange zone, behind Grandstand 15, where you can step behind the scenes, watch the teams at work in the garages, see the cars up close, and catch autograph sessions with the drivers. Montreal is also where Disney and F1 ACADEMY kick off their new collaboration, bringing Minnie Mouse and Daisy Duck into the race weekend through trackside moments and new product launches available to buy at the circuit.

Fanzones, brand activations & evening concerts

The circuit offers several dedicated fan areas worth building your day around. The Fanzone F1, situated in the yellow zone behind Grandstands 34 and 47 in the centre of the island, brings together activities from Formula 1 and its partners — pit stop challenges, racing simulators, brand activations, and the kind of interactive experiences that make the gaps between sessions disappear. The Heineken Terrace, also in the yellow zone behind the Casino, works as a relaxation space during the day and shifts into something livelier by evening, with seating giving way to a proper party atmosphere once the on-track action wraps up.

“There’s a lot of things to do,” Jezabel told us. “On the circuit, there’s going to be all sorts of activities like pitstop challenges, racing simulators, brand activations (like LEGO last year where you built your own mini F1 car), the Monster Energy fanzone, and more!”

There’s also the CGV Experience, a new General Admission offer that bundles race access and evening concerts into a single ticket. After a full day of racing, ticketholders get access to live concerts in a beach zone located right in the heart of the circuit, with an entirely Canadian lineup: Matt Lang, Simple Plan, Dean Brody, Bryan Adams, The Beaches, and Alessia Cara. It’s not a bad way to end a race day. If you want the Grand Prix to feel like a festival as much as a sporting event, this is the option that closes that gap and one that few other races in the calendar offer.

Formula 1, brand activations & hockey take over the city

What makes Montreal unusual as a race destination is how far beyond the circuit the Grand Prix actually reaches. The city doesn’t just host Formula 1. It absorbs it, and Crescent Street is the epicentre. For the duration of race week, this stretch of bars, restaurants, and terrasses becomes a continuous outdoor party, with team flags hanging from buildings, fans spilling onto the street, and a noise level that suggests nobody plans on going home early. It’s where you go to feel the full weight of what race week in Montreal means.

This year adds a few specific brand activations worth planning around:

• The Adidas store on Saint-Catherine is hosting a joint Audi and Mercedes activation from May 22–24.

• Audi is also staging its RUE 26 experience at the Montreal Clock Tower on the evening of May 22, an outdoor event that’s free to attend and worth building your Thursday around.

• Cadillac is celebrating its debut season with the Cadillac Hub at Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth from May 22–24. Expect an F1 show car alongside their V-Series lineup, Tommy Hilfiger x Cadillac F1 merch drops, F1-inspired simulations, and appearances from actor Lou-Pascale Tremblay and Juno Award-winning artist ToBi, plus a chance to win $75,000 toward a Cadillac vehicle.

And if you happen to be a hockey fan, or simply want to understand a core part of Canadian culture, the Montreal Canadiens have qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs and have a game during the 2026 Canadian Grand Prix weekend. This means the area around the Centre Bell will come alive with fans watching on big outdoor screens. It’s the kind of spontaneous, city-wide energy that you just have to be there to live it.

Getting to the circuit & moving around

Getting to the circuit is one of the easiest parts of the Montreal weekend. The metro runs directly to Parc Jean-Drapeau station, a short walk from the circuit, and during race week, the carriages fill with fans in team colours. The journey becomes part of the experience. Driving is the one thing to avoid. Traffic around the island during race weekend turns short journeys into very long ones, so leave the car behind.

“The easiest and most used way is definitely by public transport. It’s so easy to get around town using the metro, even if you’re not a local,” Jezabel says. “I had so many nice conversations during the Grand Prix week by just randomly talking to people who were wearing F1 merch and it was so fun!”

For disabled fans, the circuit has wheelchair-accessible sections across most grandstands, but the pedestrian bridges between areas of the island involve stairs and are worth checking in advance on the circuit’s official accessibility map. In the city, Sainte-Catherine Street has been under construction for some time and can be slow to navigate during race week with the added crowds. It’s not a dealbreaker, but worth factoring into your plans.

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Where to stay, eat, and explore

The best rule for race week accommodation is simple: prioritise metro access over being downtown. Prices in the centre climb sharply during Grand Prix week, but the line extends north to Laval where you’ll find significantly better value. If you want to stay central, the neighbourhoods around Guy-Concordia or Peel stations put you within walking distance from most of the action.

For food and atmosphere, Crescent Street is the obvious starting point and deservedly so. Jezabel has two firm recommendations there. Wienstein & Gavino’s is an Italian restaurant that commits fully to race week — team flags, a vintage F1 car hanging from the ceiling. “I went there two years ago during the F1 week and it was amazing,” she says. Le Warehouse is the more casual option: good burgers, a big terrace, cocktail promotions running through the GP week, and a pub atmosphere in the evening. Both are worth it.

Beyond Crescent Street, the city rewards wandering. Old Montreal has cobblestone streets, waterfront views, and Jezabel’s personal approach to it: “Walk around, go into every general store, find some unique things, get some ice cream and admire the view in the Old Port.” Mont-Royal park is worth the climb for the Kondiaronk lookout, and she adds a detail that’s hard to ignore:

The Plateau-Mont-Royal neighbourhood — independent cafés, weekend markets, terrasses that fill up the moment the sun appears — is where Montrealers actually spend their time. It has no Grand Prix activation attached to it, and that’s exactly the point. And for a shopping spree, Sainte-Catherine Street and the Eaton Centre cover the mainstream, plus Saint-Denis for independent and vintage shops.

Is the Canadian Grand Prix for me?

Montreal is one of the most accessible Grand Prix destinations on the calendar. It doesn’t ask much of you before it gives back. The metro works. The food is good. People are friendly and will talk to you, no matter where you are from. The circuit is genuinely exciting from almost any grandstand. And the city vibe is unique.

In terms of pricing, a three-day general admission weekend pass starts at $410, saves you from queuing each day, and is worth picking up before the weekend starts. Day passes are also available starting at $95 and are worth considering when your budget is tight. And bundles for race access and evening concerts start at $287. We always recommend buying your tickets from the official channels, such as the F1 Tickets site or the Grand Prix and circuit official sites, to avoid scams and other potential issues.

If your love for racing expands to your little ones, the Canadian Grand Prix is also a genuinely family-friendly weekend, something difficult to find on the calendar. Children 11 and under get free entry with a regular ticket holder, and between the fan zones, the amusement park on the island, and everything the city offers — the Biodôme, the Planétarium, the Centre des Sciences — there’s enough to keep kids engaged well beyond the racing itself.

It’s also a very safe city to travel alone, having ranked as the safest city on the continent and the second-safest in the world, plus Canadians are well known for their politeness and hospitality. Montreal operates in both French and English, but a little French goes a long way — Bonjour when you walk in, Merci when you leave, and J’adore la Formule 1 when you meet another fan.

For fans who want to watch F1 ACADEMY compete, Montreal delivers great racing, and this time, multiplied. Three races across the weekend on one of the sport’s most storied circuits, after a two-month wait. And with the Canadiens in the Stanley Cup playoffs, the city has another reason to be loud this weekend, so if you know a little about hockey, locals will be happy to bring you into it.

See it for yourself

The Canadian Grand Prix doesn’t need convincing. It needs a booking.

Pack for late May weather — warm days are likely, but evenings can still be cool, and some rain might show up, so layers are worth it — download a metro map before you land, and give yourself at least a day on either side of the race weekend to enjoy the city. Walk Old Montreal in the morning before anyone else is up. Get to the Kondiaronk lookout early. Eat the smoked meat sandwich. Watch the hockey game with locals.

And when you’re on the metro on Sunday afternoon, surrounded by people in team colours with the race still buzzing in your ears, you’ll understand why this one keeps coming back to the top of people’s lists.

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Welcome to our Race Week Destination Guide series, where we speak with fans, creators, journalists and other motorsport professionals who are local to a race or have experienced it firsthand, and break down what it’s actually like to attend a race week around the world.

The 2026 Chinese Grand Prix is only two weeks away. It may not be a race weekend that steals the spotlight, but it is a hidden treasure that could make the season’s first F1 Academy round your new favourite. Here, the action plays out in a city where ancient temples stand just steps from gleaming malls, where a spicy hot pot dinner can lead to a dazzling stroll beneath neon-lit skyscrapers, and where entering the circuit feels like stepping into tomorrow thanks to facial recognition technology.

Why Shanghai feels different on the F1 calendar

Shanghai doesn’t do subtle. Infinite skyscrapers stack into the clouds, and neon lights shimmer on the Huangpu River. Metro lines weave through a city of over 30 million people. And once a year, the city’s electric energy intensifies, signalling the arrival of Formula 1.

Going to a Grand Prix alone, far from home, can feel scary. But not for Jemma Ankin, a 26-year-old adventurous fan and content creator who went to Shanghai by herself for the first time last season and liked it so much that she’s going again this year. She travelled 5,700+ miles as part of her mission to experience as many races as possible. Jemma had already been to Abu Dhabi, had experienced the excitement of races in Europe, and wanted to try something totally new.

“Shanghai is a lovely mix of modern and culture and tradition, new versus old. It’s a place like no other that I have ever been to,” Jemma told us. “It’s such a different experience to what you might get from some of the European races or the American races or even some of the Middle East ones.”

Some races feel familiar before you even land. You know the rhythm. You know the language. You know roughly how the weekend will unfold. Shanghai, however, doesn’t give you that comfort.

At the Shanghai International Circuit, entry works via facial recognition once your passport is registered. Jemma suggests doing this before you arrive at the track for a faster entry. Around the city, most payments are made through apps like Alipay or WeChat Pay, and translation apps become part of your daily routine. So, your phone isn’t just useful, it’s essential.

Compared to other rounds, Shanghai feels like stepping into a completely different world.

What’s happening at the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix?

The 2026 Chinese Grand Prix runs from March 13–15, marking Round 2 of the Formula 1 season and the opening round of the 2026 F1 Academy campaign. It’s the first time this year we’ll see the all-female grid line up, and it does so with a home story woven into it.

Shi Wei returns as the first F1 Academy Wild Card entry of the 2026 season, racing in front of a home crowd after making history last year as the first Chinese driver to compete in the series. Since then, she’s claimed victory in the F4 Chinese Masters — the first F4 race win by a Chinese female driver — marking a meaningful step forward in Chinese motorsport’s development.

Zhou Guanyu is also back in the Formula 1 paddock, this time as a reserve driver for Cadillac, the championship’s newest team. Even if he’s not lining up on the grid, his presence adds another layer for local fans.

“When I attended, I was lucky enough to have a full schedule of racing. We had a Sprint weekend for F1, we also had F1 Academy, GT World Challenge Asia and the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia, so lots of racing going on on the track,” Jemma told us.

This year follows that same high-energy pattern. Alongside Formula 1 and F1 Academy, fans will also see the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia and the SRO GT Cup – Greater Bay Area GT Cup. It’s also the first Sprint weekend of the 2026 season, meaning more competitive sessions packed into three days and very little downtime.

The fan zone keeps the excitement going with driver appearances, sponsor events, team merchandise, food stalls, and more. Although it can get busy, it’s well organised and easy to get around once you settle in. The main Fan Zone at Shanghai International Circuit sits just behind the main grandstand (Grandstand A). Here, you can try interactive activities like F1 SimRacing, the Pit Stop challenge, or a virtual pit tour. There are also plenty of merchandise shops, food and drink stands, and chances to meet drivers.

Race week takes over the city

In Shanghai, the Grand Prix doesn’t stay at the track. The race weekend opens alongside something much bigger: the 2026 Shanghai Auto Culture Festival, a 54-day programme of motorsport events, exhibitions and cultural activities centred largely around Jiading District, home of the Shanghai International Circuit.

And this is where Shanghai starts to feel different from many other rounds. Because your Grand Prix ticket isn’t just access to the track. It also unlocks free entry to Qiuxia Garden, Huilongtan Park and Yong’an Pagoda, plus discounted access to Guyi Garden, Tanyuan Garden and the Shanghai Auto Museum. Jiading has even introduced auto-themed tourism routes linking the circuit with surrounding cultural sites, turning race week into something closer to a city-wide itinerary.

Then there’s the Checkered Flag Carnival, China’s only F1-licensed theme event, running both at the circuit and at a second location along the West Bund in Xuhui. It blends automotive displays, test drives and motorsport tech with lifestyle markets and live music. It’s less corporate hospitality, more open-air festival energy connecting the racetrack with the city’s cultural hubs.

Across the wider programme, vintage Formula 1 cars go on display at the Shanghai Auto Museum. Classic car parades roll through Anting Old Street. An “Art in Motion” exhibition pairs vintage vehicles with contemporary installations to explore the aesthetics of speed beyond the grid.

If you arrive early or stay a little longer, Shanghai offers more than three days of racing, leaning fully into being an automotive city for more than just a weekend.

Experiencing the Chinese race weekend firsthand

For Jemma, Shanghai wasn’t just another stamp on the calendar. It challenged her on every level: culturally, logistically, and personally.

“I have been to a few Grand Prix now and I have to say this one was one of my favourites based on the experience I had in a country that was so different to what I’m used to,” she told us.

Seating in Grandstand B, Jemma enjoyed a panoramic view stretching from the start-finish straight all the way to Turn 6. This vantage point allowed her to trace the pulse of each lap, not just a single corner. At £360, she found it a bargain. Even booking just three months ahead, her 4-day adventure came to only £1,213 (€1,390 / $1,638).

But what stood out to her as a first-timer wasn’t just the racing. It was how structured everything felt. The security presence was visible but not overwhelming. The metro system ran efficiently. The fan zone was active without feeling chaotic. Once you understood the rhythm of the weekend, it flowed.

While reaching the track in some cities can be a headache, Shanghai makes it easy. From downtown, a straightforward 60-minute ride on Metro line 11 gets you there. Staying near this line or with a solid connection keeps race days stress-free.

You don’t travel this far just for the race

If you’re flying across continents for a Grand Prix, you don’t just land, watch the race, and leave. Of course, the race is the anchor, but discovering the city makes the trip feel complete.

And that experience starts with small details. As mentioned, your phone becomes essential here - and not just for photos, but for payments, transport and translation. Alipay or WeChat Pay (Weixin Pay) will likely be your default way of buying everything from metro tickets to street food. An eSIM like HolaFly makes navigating the internet far easier and cheaper, and because many Western apps are blocked in China, a VPN like ExpressVPN ensures you can still access the apps you normally rely on at home.

You’ll soon find yourself checking your battery more often than usual, eager to capture every moment in photos and videos. Luckily, Shanghai has you covered with portable chargers for rent throughout the city and even near the circuit. Still, packing your own charger keeps things smooth and hassle-free. With these essentials in place, you’re all set to dive into everything the city has to offer.

Exploring the highlights of China’s largest city

Yu Garden, known as the “Garden of Happiness”, is an almost 500-year-old classical Chinese garden located in the Huangpu District and a must-see attraction that offers a quieter contrast to the skyline that defines Shanghai. If you prefer a more modern vibe, the Shanghai Tower observation deck gives you 360-degree views from 546 meters above the city. And if you want something different between race sessions, the city offers many ways to immerse yourself in the local culture.

“There are many things to do such as a river cruise, visit the Jing’an temple, or attend a cultural performance. One of my favourite experiences was a private calligraphy class that I just booked on ‘Get your guide’ as it’s lovely to learn a new skill and get some insight on culture from a local,” shared Jemma.

When it comes to food, Hot Pot is a national favourite, and a must if you like hot soup in all its senses. Locals and visitors love Little Sheep Hot Pot in ChangNing District. But if you want a break from local cuisine, Goodfellas is the perfect Italian restaurant to enjoy by the river.

For a shopping spree, the famous Nanjing Road gives you a mix of international brands along with smaller markets and street sellers when you go down some of the side alleys. And if you want a more local feel and want to experience Shanghai’s lively nightlife, Julu Road is the place to be.

Spending time in the city also means paying attention to the small cultural details, because, even with the excitement of race week, we are visitors in a city that is not our own. So, knowing a few simple etiquette rules can make a big difference.

Is the Chinese Grand Prix for me?

Shanghai isn’t a race you book on a whim. You pick it when you want something different and don’t mind feeling a bit out of sync at first. It’s for people who like figuring out the public transport in the city, hearing a new language on the streets, and don’t mind getting a bit lost while learning how things work. Somewhere between the race sessions and the city’s skyline, you realise this is what travelling to watch Formula 1 and F1 Academy is all about.

This race is for fans who want to see women compete and are interested in the bigger picture of the sport, especially with the 2026 F1 Academy season starting here. If you care about how new talent comes up and want to witness the beginning of that journey, Shanghai is the place to be.

See it for yourself

The Chinese Grand Prix is immersive, modern, and full of local character, and Shanghai offers an experience you won’t find anywhere else. Jemma is returning this year, and that speaks volumes.

If you find yourself at the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix, prepare to enter the circuit with a glance, wander from centuries-old gardens to soaring glass towers in a single afternoon, and feel the excitement of race week all around you. The highlight will be seeing the start of a new F1 Academy season and cheering for women racing alongside Formula 1 on the world’s biggest stage.

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