Best Car Shows and Races Across the World 2026
The 2026 automotive calendar is packed with world-class car shows, endurance races, and motorsport festivals spanning every continent. Whether you are a collector eyeing a concours lawn, a petrol head planning a road trip around a Grand Prix weekend, or simply looking for the best automotive events to attend this year, the lineup for 2026 offers something extraordinary at every turn — from the hill Climb at Goodwood to the floodlit straights of Le Mans.
Goodwood Festival of Speed — 9–12 July, Chichester, UK
The Goodwood Festival of Speed 2026 takes place from Thursday 9th to Sunday 12th July, and it remains one of the most anticipated motoring events on the planet. This year’s theme is “The Rivals — Epic Racing Duels,” celebrating motorsport’s greatest head-to-head battles. Two major anniversaries take centre stage: 60 years since Ford and Ferrari clashed at Le Mans, and 50 years since the legendary Hunt vs Lauda 1976 Formula 1 title fight. Expect supercar debuts, F1 machinery on the famous hillclimb, and manufacturers from around the world showcasing their latest models. It is the UK’s flagship automotive gathering and regularly sells out within days.
24 Hours of Le Mans — 10–14 June, Circuit de la Sarthe, France
The 2026 24 Hours of Le Mans began on Saturday 13 June at the legendary Circuit de la Sarthe, forming part of the Triple Crown of Motorsport alongside the Indianapolis 500 and the Monaco Grand Prix. The circuit is a semi-permanent road course stretching roughly 13.6 km, making it one of the longest in motorsport. Factory teams from Porsche, Ferrari, Toyota, BMW, Cadillac, and others compete across multiple classes, with the overall winner being the car that covers the greatest distance in 24 hours. Le Mans is a pilgrimage for endurance racing fans — and the atmosphere across the race village, grandstands, and campsite is unlike anything else in the sport.
Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance — 16 August, California, USA
Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance is arguably the finest concours event in the world, drawing competitors from every corner of the globe who compete for prizes with beautifully restored pieces of automotive history. The 2026 edition is extra special, marking the show’s 75th anniversary. Held as part of Monterey Car Week on the manicured 18th fairway of Pebble Beach Golf Links, the event attracts the rarest and most valuable cars on earth. For collectors, it is also a major buying and selling occasion, with concurrent auctions at RM Sotheby’s, Gooding & Company, and Bonhams running throughout the week.
Formula 1 — The 2026 World Championship
The 2026 Formula 1 season introduced sweeping new technical regulations, and the calendar spans the globe. The season opened with the Australian Grand Prix at Melbourne’s Albert Park Circuit on 8 March. The Monaco Grand Prix returns on 7 June as the sixth round of the championship, with the race held on the iconic street circuit through Monte Carlo. The British Grand Prix at Silverstone, the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, and the season-closing Abu Dhabi Grand Prix all remain calendar highlights. For any motorsport fan planning international travel in 2026, building a trip around a Grand Prix weekend is one of the best ways to combine racing, culture, and automotive spectacle.
Salon Privé — September, Blenheim Palace, UK
Salon Privé is spread across five days in the grounds of Blenheim Palace, showcasing a curated lineup of automotive classics and supercars in an atmosphere as refined as the cars themselves. The 2026 Concours by Aviva Private Clients opens on 2–3 September, with the spotlight on 80 years of Bristol Cars. Ladies’ Day, Supercar Saturday, and the Club Trophy round out the week. Salon Privé is a more intimate affair than Goodwood, attracting serious collectors and high-net-worth buyers in a setting that feels more garden party than motor show.
Woodward Dream Cruise — 15 August, Detroit, USA
The Woodward Dream Cruise has grown into the largest single-day car show in North America, drawing close to a million visitors and 40,000 classic cars. The 2026 edition is scheduled for 15 August, with vehicles cruising down Woodward Avenue in metro Detroit. It is completely free to attend and captures American car culture at its most exuberant — muscle cars, hot rods, restorations, and everything in between.
Goodwood Members’ Meeting — 18–19 April, Chichester, UK
The Members’ Meeting revives the spirit of Goodwood’s original race meetings held between 1948 and 1966. More than a dozen races for cars spanning from the 1900s to the 1990s are scheduled for 2026, including a tribute event marking 50 years since James Hunt’s F1 World Championship. Membership of the Goodwood Road Racing Club is required for entry, but at £95 it represents outstanding value for the quality of historic racing on offer.
Top Marques Monaco — May, Grimaldi Forum, Monaco
Top Marques Monaco showcases unusual and exotic cars, often from young manufacturers producing limited-run supercars. The 2026 edition features around 120 exhibitors and 200 vehicles, ranging from electric concept models and high-performance hybrids to hand-crafted restomods. Held at the Grimaldi Forum overlooking Monaco’s harbour, it is the most glamorous indoor car show on the European circuit.
Cruisin’ the Coast — 4–11 October, Mississippi, USA
Cruisin’ the Coast celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2026 along Mississippi’s Gulf Coast. The week-long festival is a relaxed, community-driven celebration of hot rods, classic cars, and antique vehicles, complete with live music, food stands, and swap meets. It is one of the longest-running and most welcoming classic car events in the United States.
How Ship Cars Can Get Your Car to Any Event Worldwide
Attending a car show or race overseas with your own vehicle is an experience that transforms a spectator trip into something far more memorable — whether you are entering a concours, displaying at a manufacturer stand, or simply want your car with you abroad. Ship Cars Ltd specialises in shipping vehicles from the UK to destinations worldwide via container, RoRo, and air freight. Container shipping provides full enclosure and maximum protection for high-value, classic, and competition cars; RoRo offers a cost-effective option for standard road-going vehicles on popular routes; and air freight delivers your car within days for time-critical events.
From the paperwork — V5C, DVLA export notification, customs documentation — to UK collection, port handling, and destination delivery, Ship Cars manages the entire process so you can focus on the event itself. If you are planning to ship a car to the USA for Monterey Car Week, to France for Le Mans, or anywhere else on the global calendar, Get a free quote from ShipCars → and we will handle the rest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the biggest car show in the world in 2026? By sheer visitor numbers, the Goodwood Festival of Speed and the Woodward Dream Cruise are among the largest globally. Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance is the most prestigious concours event, while the Detroit Auto Show remains one of the “Big Five” international motor shows.
Can I take my own car to an overseas car show? Yes. Many collectors and enthusiasts ship their vehicles internationally for concours events, races, and displays. ShipCars offers container, RoRo, and air freight options from the UK to destinations worldwide. Get a quote →
How far in advance should I book car shipping for an event? For sea freight, allow at least 6–8 weeks before the event to account for transit time and customs clearance. Air freight can be arranged at shorter notice — typically 2–3 weeks — but should still be booked as early as possible to secure space.
What is the best way to ship a classic car to a concours event? Sole-use container shipping is the recommended method. Your car is fully enclosed, protected from weather and handling damage, and can be loaded with a custom-built crate or on wheel-straps depending on the vehicle’s needs.
