2024 Long Beach GP finish - Scott Dixon wins. Photo by Doug Gifford
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IndyCar and IMSA News: Acura GP of Long Beach big boost for city

Posted by AR1 staff

The Acura GP of Long Beach continues to prove to be a powerhouse event, delivering nearly $100 million in economic impact to the City of Long Beach and the broader Southern California region, a $35 million increase over the last study completed after the 2018 event.

[Editor’s Note: If it was a Formula 1 race, the economic impact would be 3x or 4x more for the city. In nearby Las Vegas, the economic impact of the F1 race is $1 billion  F1: Las Vegas Grand Prix’s economic impact projected to top $1B. Now that Roger Penske bought the race for IndyCar, the City of Long Beach will forever lose out on the much more robust economic impact of a Formula 1 race. Of course, there is no guarantee that Long Beach would ever be able to land a prestigious F1 race.]

Those numbers, the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach said, came from a study by Kleinhenz Economics, which last looked at the three-day event’s economic impact in 2018.

The key findings of the study include:

Regional Economic Impact

  • Economic Output: The Grand Prix produced a total economic impact of $98.7 million across a seven-county region, stemming from $58 million in visitor and operational expenditures.
  • Job Creation: The event supported 702 jobs across various industries, with 523 direct jobs and 178 indirect or induced positions. These positions included sectors like food and beverage, hotels, retail, entertainment, and transportation.
  • Income Generation: The event generated $40.3 million in total income, with an average annualized wage of $57,400.
  • Tax Revenue: The Grand Prix contributed $17.9 million in tax revenues, including $8.3 million at the state and local levels.

City of Long Beach Economic Impact

  • Economic Output: Within the City of Long Beach, the event produced $58.7 million in economic activity.
  • Job Creation: The Grand Prix supported 525 local jobs with an average wage of $50,500.
  • Tax Revenue: The event brought in $8.9 million in local and state taxes, enhancing community resources and infrastructure.

Beyond the Numbers

The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach is more than just a racing event. Its high visibility, with more than two million viewers across national and international media platforms, establishes Long Beach as a premier motorsport and tourism destination. The event fosters long-term business investment, infrastructure development, and economic vitality, leaving a legacy that extends well beyond its three-day schedule.

With more than 194,000 attendees in 2024 enjoying races, concerts, and other attractions, the Grand Prix continues to rev up the local and regional economies while delivering unforgettable experiences.

“The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach is not just an exciting racing event—it’s also a dynamic economic engine for the City and the Southern California region,” said Grand Prix Association of Long Beach President & CEO Jim Michaelian.

“This year’s economic impact report highlights the substantial benefits the event delivers, from creating jobs to generating millions in revenue for local businesses and government. It’s a testament to the power of motorsports to bring people together while driving significant economic growth. We’re proud to play a pivotal role in enhancing Long Beach’s reputation as a premier destination for world-class entertainment and business investment.”

“Major events like the landmark Grand Prix of Long Beach create both excitement and economic opportunity for our city and region. From local businesses seeing a surge in customers to job creation and infrastructure investments, the impact extends far beyond the checkered flag,” said Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson.

“For Long Beach, this means more support for small businesses, increased tourism revenue, and a stronger local economy that supports city services that our residents depend on.”

The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach remains a driving force behind Southern California’s economic growth and cultural appeal. As the 50th Anniversary event approaches this April 11-13, the focus remains on maintaining this iconic event’s reputation as both an entertainment spectacle and an economic catalyst. To read the full report, visit gplb.com/economic-impact-report.

The 2025 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach will be headlined by the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, as well as the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. In addition, the weekend will include the Super Drift Challenge under the lights on Friday and Saturday nights, plus doubleheader action from Robby Gordon’s SPEED Energy Stadium Super Trucks, GT America Powered by AWS and the unique Historic Formula Exhibition, featuring cars from the three racing eras at Long Beach – Formula 5000, Formula 1 and Indy Car – racing together for the first time.

Fans can select and pay for their 2025 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach seats, parking and paddock passes online at gplb.com. Ticket orders can also be placed by calling the toll-free ticket hotline, (888) 827-7333.

Fans can also follow the 2025 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Facebook at GrandPrixLB, X at GPLongBeach (#AGPLB50), Instagram at GPLongBeach and YouTube at GPLongBeach, as well as via the official Grand Prix app available on Google Play and the Apple App Store.