The 24 Hours of Le Mans 2026 date is set: the race starts on Saturday, 13 June 2026 at 16:00 local time and finishes exactly 24 hours later on Sunday, 14 June at 16:00. The full race week — La Grande Semaine — runs from Wednesday 10 to Sunday 14 June, with free practice, qualifying, and the legendary Hyperpole session packed in before the start gun fires. Whether you’re a lifelong motorsport fan or making your first pilgrimage to the Circuit de la Sarthe, this guide covers everything you need to know about the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2026 date, schedule, tickets, and getting there.
2026 Race Schedule & Key Dates
The 24 Hours of Le Mans 2026 schedule spans five days of on-track action. Here is the full timetable:
| Date | Session | Time (Local) |
|---|---|---|
| Wed 10 June | Free Practice 1 | 14:00 – 18:00 |
| Wed 10 June | Qualifying – LMP2 & LMGT3 | 18:45 |
| Wed 10 June | Qualifying – Hypercar | 19:30 |
| Wed 10 June | Free Practice 2 (Night) | 22:00 – 02:00 |
| Thu 11 June | Free Practice 3 | 14:45 – 18:00 |
| Thu 11 June | Hyperpole – LMP2 & LMGT3 | 20:00 – 20:50 |
| Thu 11 June | Hyperpole – Hypercar | 21:05 – 21:55 |
| Thu 11 June | Free Practice 4 (Night) | 23:00 – 01:00 |
| Sat 13 June | Warm-Up | 12:00 – 12:15 |
| Sat 13 June | Race Start | 16:00 |
| Sun 14 June | Race Finish | 16:00 |
Scrutineering takes place in Le Mans city centre from Friday 5 to Sunday 7 June — a free event where you can get close to all 62 entered cars before the action moves to the circuit.
What Is the 24 Hours of Le Mans?
First held in 1923, the 24 Hours of Le Mans is the world’s oldest active sports car endurance race and one of motorsport’s Triple Crown events — alongside Monaco and Indianapolis. Teams of two or three drivers share a car for a full 24 hours on the legendary 13.626 km Circuit de la Sarthe, which combines permanent race infrastructure with closed public roads. The famous Hunaudières straight is where sports cars hit speeds over 340 km/h.
In 2026, 62 cars are entered across the Hypercar, LMP2, LMGT3, and LM Challenge classes. Ferrari enters chasing a historic fourth consecutive overall victory, against rivals including Toyota, Porsche, BMW, Lamborghini, and Alpine.
Tickets for the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2026
Tickets are available via the official ACO website at 24h-lemans.com. Prices for 2026 are frozen at 2025 rates. Your main options:
- General admission with camping — the most popular ticket, giving access to fan zones, villages, and the infield campsite.
- Grandstand seats — fixed seats at Dunlop, Ford Chicanes, or the main straight. Book early; these sell out months in advance.
- VIP and hospitality packages — premium viewing terraces, meals, and paddock access available via operators like The Grand Prix Club.
- Children under 16 — free on race day with a ticketed adult.
Race Week Experience: Fan Zones, Pit Walk & More
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is as much a festival as it is a race. The circuit hosts five themed Fan Zones including family areas, a concert zone, a karting zone, and an eco-responsibility hub. The Pit Walk on Tuesday 9 June (13:45–17:30) lets you walk through the garages of all 62 crews — one of the most remarkable access experiences in world motorsport. Drivers meet fans directly on the track at the Autograph Session (Tuesday, 15:30). The M24 Motorsport Museum at the circuit gates is open from 10:00 daily, featuring legendary cars and interactive displays tracing a century of racing history.
Getting to Le Mans from Paris
Le Mans is located in the Pays de la Loire region, about 200 km southwest of Paris. The fastest and most practical option is the TGV from Paris Montparnasse, which reaches Gare du Mans in under one hour. Trains run frequently during race week but fill up fast — book well in advance. If you’re driving, the A11 motorway from Paris takes roughly two hours. The nearest airports are Tours Val de Loire (80 km) and Paris CDG (230 km); from CDG, combine the RER B with a TGV from Montparnasse.
Luggage Storage in Le Mans During Race Week
Race week means early trains, long circuit days, and late nights — dragging bags around Le Mans is the last thing you want. Radical Storage has secure luggage storage locations throughout Le Mans from just €3.90 per bag per day, with no size limits and protection against loss or damage included. Whether you’re arriving by TGV and heading straight to the circuit, or need somewhere to stash your gear before an evening session, Radical Storage partners near Gare du Mans have you covered. Book online in advance, as spots fill quickly during race week.
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