Trackside at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve - 2026 Canadian Grand Prix

Plan your weekend at the 2026 Canadian Grand Prix. Access, race schedule & trackside tips for Circuit Gilles Villeneuve

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The 2026 Canadian Grand Prix is scheduled for May 22-24

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Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is located on Île Notre-Dame, an artificial island in the St Lawrence Seaway close to Old Montreal. Together with neighboring Île Sainte-Hélène, the two islands make up one of Montreal’s largest city parks, known as Parc Jean-Drapeau. Much like Albert Park in Melbourne, the city park setting is the perfect backdrop for a weekend of Formula 1 and access is easy. Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is connected to downtown Montreal via the Parc Jean-Drapeau metro station on Île Sainte-Hélène , which is just one stop from the centre of the city. The park was the site of the World Expo in 1967 and several structures remain on Île Sainte-Hélène, including the distinctive biosphere dome (now home to an environmental museum) & La Ronde Amusement Park. The park and its attractions are well worth exploring if you have time before, during or after race weekend.

As attendances at the Canadian Grand Prix have grown in recent years, the tight confines of the small man-made island on which the circuit is located have been an issue at peak times. Whilst we still recommend taking the Metro, arriving and departing the circuit still requires crossing one of only two bridges. Get there early and leave late to avoid the worst bottlenecks.

Access to Circuit Gilles Villeneuve

2025 Gate Opening Times: Friday: 08:00-20:30, Saturday: 08:00-20:30, Sunday 08:30-20:30. Gates normally approx. open one hour before the first on-track action and close around one hour after the last on-track action. Re-entry is possible during the day, but only if you scan out when leaving.

Permitted / Prohibited Items: Check the circuit FAQ and also see below. It’s worth noting that you can no longer bring alcoholic drinks into the circuit. Glass items are also prohibited. Security checks will be conducted upon entry and can cause entry queues at peak times. Permitted and prohibited items are listed at the end of this post.

Bridge Access: Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is located on an island and is accessed via several bridges (see circuit map), two of which are closest when arriving via the Metro. If you are seated in the Grandstands around the hairpin or Grandstand 33, it’s best to enter the track by the Pont du Cosmos, close to the biosphere (the distinctive dome inside the track). This brings you to the outside of the circuit close to Grandstand 21. If you are in Grandstand 31 or any of the grandstands around the start or on the Senna curve, then you are best entering the track using the Pont des Îles, which goes to the inside of the track, across from Grandstand 31. Check the map here for bridges and access to the circuit.

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2026 Canadian Grand Prix Timetable

On-Track Timetable: The full weekend schedule for 2026 will not be confirmed until around 4-6 weeks before race weekend. F1 session times for 2026 are listed below. Note that the race starts two hours later in 2026 (16:00) to avoid a clash with the start of the Indy 500.

Support Categories: F1 Academy and Formula 2 will be the main support categories at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in 2026. Formula 2 is a late addition to the support schedule. Learn more here.

Sprint Format: It’s been confirmed there will be an F1 Sprint at the 2026 Canadian GP

Pit Lane Walks: A public pit lane walk is held on Thursday morning, but only for a limited number of ticket holders. (Free tickets are allocated as part of a random draw via the circuit newsletter). In addition, F1 Experiences runs an “Exclusive Pit Lane Walk” for selected guests on Thursday afternoon. From Friday to Sunday, guests in the Formula 1 Paddock Club can participate in daily pit lane walks.

Friday, May 22

08:00: Gates Open (TBC for 2026)

12:30 – 13:30: Formula 1 – First Practice Session (FP1)

16:30 – 17:14: Formula 1 – Sprint Qualifying

20:30: Gates Close (TBC for 2026)

Saturday, May 23

08:00: Gates Open (TBC for 2026)

12:00 – 13:00: Formula 1 – Sprint Race

16:00 – 17:00: Formula 1 – Qualifying Session

20:30: Gates Close (TBC for 2026)

Sunday, May 24

08:30: Gates Open (TBC for 2026)

16:00 – 18:00: Formula 1 Grand Prix du Canada 2026 (70 laps or 2 hours)

20:30: Gates Close (TBC for 2026)

Amenities & Entertainment at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve

Food & Drink: As with most F1 circuits, the quality of food on offer at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is generally poor and the prices are high. For typical fast food fare such as a slice of pizza or a hotdog, expect to pay from around $10 CAD – there are some pricier options as well. Food stands are placed within the vicinity of most grandstands.

Concerts: Simple Plan, Bryan Adams, Alessia Cara headline trackside concerts at the 2026 Canadian Grand Prix, which will take place at Jean-Doré Beach. Unlike other races on the calendar, a separate ticket is required to access the concerts.

Fanzones: Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is separated into different spectator zones, where you can hang out between on-track sessions, buy food and drink, and take part in F1-themed activities. The F1 Fanzone is located in the Park & Cosmos Zone.

Merchandise: Outlets with the latest F1 team gear are dotted around the track, with the largest selection to be found in the stretch between Grandstand 21 and 31. There are also merchandise outlets, as well as promotional displays from various companies in the centre of the circuit close to the Budweiser stage, which provides music and entertainment all weekend.

Support Race Paddock: If you have some time between the on-track action, be sure to have a look at the Support race paddock, tucked in behind Grandstand 15. The pits provide a great opportunity to get up close to all manner of racing cars from Formula 1600s to historic F1 cars. The teams are usually very friendly, happy to chat and willing to let you check out their cars up close.

Toilets: There are plenty of toilets at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve – both portable and permanent park facilities. Apart from peak times over the weekend, queues are not excessive.

Circuit Gilles Villeneuve: Useful Information

Tickets: Even if you’ve purchased 3-day tickets, you’ll still receive individual tickets for each day of the weekend. Pass outs are available on the day, but you’ll need to scan your ticket when leaving.

Trackside Radio: Tune in to Radio Grand Prix at 99.1 FM or 104.3 FM

Montreal Casino: One of the largest casinos in the world is located in the middle of the circuit. It is open during the race weekend and is a good place to grab a cold beer or something to eat at the end of the day while you wait for the crowds leaving the circuit to die down. If you want to lighten your wallet, the casino staff will be only too happy to help you out. More info here.

Permitted Items: Allowed On-Site at the Canadian Grand Prix

Cameras (images for personal use only).

Items that do not disturb other spectators.

Strollers, walkers, and wheelchairs.

Cigarettes, cigars, electronic cigarettes and/or vaporizers are permitted on site; however, in accordance with the Tobacco Act, smoking is strictly prohibited in the grandstands, Suites, Terraces and other enclosed areas.

You’ll find a small smoking area in each zone. Cigarettes, cigars, electronic cigarettes and/or vaporizers are permitted on site, but smoking or vaporizing cannabis is prohibited. Furthermore, under the Tobacco Act, smoking is strictly prohibited in grandstands, sSuites, Terraces, and other enclosed areas. Please respect the designated smoking areas.

Coolers and backpacks permitted on site and must comply with the dimensions below. Grandstand ticket holders must place their cooler or bag under their seat.

Height: 22.8 cm (9 in.)

Length: 45.7 cm (18 in.)

Depth: 25.4 cm (10 in.)