The summer activity season in Montreal will begin a little earlier than usual starting in 2026, when the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix will be brought forward to the end of May, rather than held at the beginning of June as was traditionally the case.
Posted at 8:41 a.m.
Updated at 4:47 p.m.
The exact date of the event remains to be determined, but it is already certain that it will take place during the third or fourth weekend of May. This new schedule will be in effect at least until 2031, we were told. Next year, the Grand Prix will be presented from June 13 to 15.
In a press release on Monday, the big boss of Formula 1, Stefano Domenicali, indicated that this overhaul “will make [le] future schedule is not only more sustainable, but also makes more logistical sense for our teams and staff.”
In recent years, F1 has in fact grouped certain events according to their geographical location in order to reduce travel, and therefore, the resulting carbon emissions.
“Our commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030 remains a priority for us as a sport, and through changes like this we are well on our way to achieving this goal,” added Domenicali.
PHOTO CHRISTIAN BRUNA, ARCHIVES ASSOCIATED PRESS
Stefano Domenicali, grand patron of Formule 1
For his part, Jean-Philippe Paradis, CEO of the Octane group and promoter of the Grand Prix, affirmed that the decision “testifies to our desire to reconcile sporting performance and organization of events with environmental responsibility”.
“This change of date is fully integrated into the dynamic strategic vision put in place by our team, in collaboration with our funders, entirely focused on creating an exceptional experience for the Canadian Grand Prix, in a more competitive environment. sustainable and inclusive,” he continued.
Good for tourism
Who says Canadian Grand Prix of course says motorsport-loving tourists who arrive en masse in the metropolis. However, could moving the event forward by a few weeks have a negative impact on this influx of visitors?
Quite the contrary, according to Caroline Bourgeois, responsible for sports and leisure at the City of Montreal and vice-president of the executive committee. “It’s excellent news, a win-win agreement,” she rejoiced in an interview with The Press.
Yves Lalumière, CEO of Tourisme Montréal, agrees. In his eyes, moving forward the Canadian Grand Prix will only prolong the tourist season in the city. What’s more, it all offers better predictability with a view to organizing other events in Montreal, something that those in the tourism industry have been asking for for some time.
PHOTO ROBERT SKINNER, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Yves Lalumière, CEO of Tourisme Montréal, believes that moving forward the Canadian Grand Prix will only extend the tourist season in the city.
“We looked at the calendar of events, and that gives us a greater possibility of launching tourism. […] If we had to talk about September, that wouldn’t do our business,” he stressed in an interview with The Press.
Even if the 2026 Grand Prix risks taking place during the Memorial Day holiday weekend in the United States, which could encourage some Americans to stay at home rather than making the trip to Montreal, Mr. Lalumière says he convinced that these potential absentees “will be replaced by other” F1 fans.
He argued that “53% of people who attend the Grand Prix come from outside Montreal, including 20% from internationally.”
A similar wind of optimism is also blowing in Quebec. “The Canadian Grand Prix is much more than just a race; it is a major economic and tourism lever for Quebec. In a highly competitive global market, this internationally prestigious event reinforces our status as an essential destination,” mentioned the Minister of Tourism, Caroline Proulx, in a press release.
