Canadian GP sprint weekend not sold out

MotorBiscuit reported on May 21 that the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal was not sold out despite the event’s first sprint-format weekend and an expanded support bill. Official ticket pages on Friday still showed multiple three-day packages available for May 22-24 at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, including general admission and several grandstands. The report tied the softer-than-expected sell-through to higher prices and a calendar clash with the Indianapolis 500, which is also scheduled for Sunday, May 24. Formula 1’s official ticket site and the race promoter’s own sales page both showed inventory still available as the weekend began. ### Which tickets were still available as the weekend opened? The Formula 1 ticket site on Friday listed Canada three-day access from 1,682.88 euros for the remaining option shown there, while the promoter’s official site still offered a broader range of unsold products. The promoter listed three-day general admission from C$75, Grandstand 46 from C$455, Grandstand 47 from C$440, Grandstand 31 from C$600 and Grandstand 1 from C$1,065, alongside higher-priced terrace and hospitality packages. (motorbiscuit.com) The promoter’s page also showed that some categories had sold out, including Privilège 12, Privilège 17, Toundra and Terrace 21. That mix suggested demand remained for premium and standard inventory but had not cleared the full market before track action started Friday. ### How much had prices risen for Montreal? BVM Sports, citing organizers, reported that some packages had risen by nearly 20% from last year. (tickets.formula1.com) MotorBiscuit separately said higher prices had become a central complaint around the 2026 event, particularly as the race added sprint content, Formula 2 and F1 Academy to the weekend program. (2026.gpcanada.ca) The official Canada Grand Prix sales page showed the current spread in black and white. Three-day hospitality products ranged from C$2,012.06 for Toundra, marked sold out, to C$5,605.03 for Elite Club, while several terrace products were priced above C$1,700. ### Why does the Indianapolis 500 matter here? The Indianapolis Motor Speedway lists the 110th Indianapolis 500 for Sunday, May 24, with the green flag scheduled for 12:45 p.m. (bvmsports.com) Eastern time. The Canadian Grand Prix promoter lists the Formula 1 race for 4 p.m. local time on the same day in Montreal. (2026.gpcanada.ca) MotorBiscuit said that overlap forced North American motorsport fans to split attention, travel plans and spending between two marquee events. The site argued that the usual Monaco-Indy scheduling tension had been joined this year by Montreal’s move into the same weekend. ### What is new about the Montreal weekend itself? (indianapolismotorspeedway.com) The Canadian Grand Prix promoter’s schedule shows Formula 1 Sprint Qualifying on Friday at 4:30 p.m., the sprint race on Saturday at noon and the grand prix on Sunday at 4 p.m. The weekend also includes Formula 2 and F1 Academy sessions and concerts for CGV Experience ticket holders, including Simple Plan on Friday, Bryan Adams on Saturday and Alessia Cara on Sunday. (motorbiscuit.com) NonF1, citing Le Journal de Montreal, reported earlier this week that organizers had acknowledged the event was not entirely sold out even with the added sprint format, Formula 2, F1 Academy and upgrades at the venue. ### What happens next in Montreal? Friday’s program at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve includes first practice at 12:30 p.m. and Sprint Qualifying at 4:30 p.m., according to the official event schedule. (gpcanada.ca) Saturday brings the sprint race and qualifying for Sunday’s grand prix, while the Formula 1 Lenovo Grand Prix du Canada is set for 4 p.m. on May 24. (nonf1.com)