Introducing the Canadian Grand Prix
Introducing the Canadian Grand Prix
Sunday December 6 2026
What to expect in this guide
• Where is Circuit Gilles Villeneuve?
• What’s the circuit like?
• How many days should you plan for?
• How does a race weekend work?
• Best booking resources for F1 trips
Estimated Reading Time: 3–4 minutes
The Canadian Grand Prix takes place at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, on Notre Dame Island in the Saint Lawrence River. The island lies directly next to downtown Montréal. It’s easily accessed from downtown, which makes it one of the most convenient Grand Prix to attend for visiting fans.
The track is a semi-street circuit with long straights, sharp chicanes, and tight hairpins. The walls are close around the track. The most famous of these is the Wall of Champions, on the exit of the final chicane. The circuit runs through Parc Jean-Drapeau, with the Montréal skyline behind it.
The circuit is uncovered. The race takes place in late May, when Montréal can be warm and sunny, or cool and wet. Pack for both.
The Formula 1 sessions run alongside support races such as Ferrari Challenge and the Porsche Carrera Cup. The full schedule is published on F1.com about four weeks before the race.
How many days should you spend at the Canadian Grand Prix?
Plan for three full days, Friday to Sunday, to see every Formula 1 session and the support races.
Canadian Grand Prix weekend schedule at a glance
A typical Formula 1 weekend runs Friday to Sunday. Friday is practice. Saturday is final practice and qualifying. Sunday is the Grand Prix.
Each year, a handful of Grand Prix follow a sprint format. On a sprint weekend, Friday includes practice and sprint qualifying. Saturday includes the sprint race and Grand Prix qualifying. Sunday is still the Grand Prix. Sprint weekends rotate around the calendar each season, so check the current year’s schedule on F1.com.
Best booking resources for F1 trips
Take a look at our Grand Prix ticket & travel packages »
Prefer to do it all yourself? You’re welcome to take what you’ve learned here and build your own trip from scratch.
I keep going back to these travel companies because they’re reliable, easy to use, and usually have the best value. They’re where I start every time I plan a trip.
Tickets
Motorsport Tickets and Grand Prix Tickets are the two agencies I’ve trusted for years. They’ve always been reliable, easy to deal with, and quick to help if something comes up.
Hotels
ZenHotels is one of my go-to sites for hotel bookings. It pulls prices from loads of smaller sites you might not know about, so it’s great for finding deals. I also check Expedia and Booking.com when I want more options.
Excursions
Viator is packed with walking tours, attraction tickets, and local experiences. It’s especially handy if you’re heading to a new Grand Prix city. It’s a great place to find extras to add to your trip.
Getting to the Canadian Grand Prix
In this guide you'll learn about how to get to Montréal for the Canadian Grand Prix.
Where to Stay for the Canadian Grand Prix
In this guide we’ll help you choose the best place to stay during your trip to the Canadian Grand Prix.
Choosing a Grandstand at the Canadian Grand Prix
In this guide we’ll help you choose the right grandstand for your Canadian Grand Prix experience.
Getting around at the Canadian Grand Prix
In this guide you’ll learn about the different options for getting around during the Canadian Grand Prix.
