GRIDLIFE Returns to Watkins Glen in Elevated, Coast-to-Coast 2026 Festival Season
Six Premier Events Announced for 2026, Highlighting Growth, Momentum, and a Full-Scale Return to Watkins Glen International
Chicago, IL - [11/17/2025] - GRIDLIFE has unveiled its 2026 national festival schedule, marking a coast-to-coast lineup of six premier motorsports and music events. The season reflects a bold step forward for the organization, highlighted by the highly anticipated return to Watkins Glen International in July with its full-scale GRIDLIFE Summer Apex Festival.
Across the country, GRIDLIFE continues to accelerate the fusion of motorsports and modern car culture through immersive three-day experiences featuring road racing, time attack, and drift, supported by curated off-track programming including vendor villages, the GRIDLIFE Arcade, and signature nighttime music stages.
A Season Built on Momentum, Intention, and Growth
“For 2026, we’re building on real momentum,” said Michael Hurczyn, GRIDLIFE CEO. “We have the right team, the right strategic focus, and an incredibly passionate community behind us. This schedule is about taking everything that makes GRIDLIFE special and amplifying it with more intention, more impact, and more unforgettable weekends.”
The 2026 lineup emphasizes quality over quantity, spacing events with greater purpose and giving competitors more time to prepare while providing GRIDLIFE the operational runway to deliver world-class festival experiences at every stop.
“Our goal is to elevate every event into something truly world-class,” Hurczyn continued. “Each stop on the calendar has its own personality and its own passionate community. We’re leaning into that, and the results speak for themselves.”
2026 GRIDLIFE Festival Season
GRIDLIFE South Carolina - April 17-19
Carolina Motorsports Park - Kershaw, South Carolina
The season opens in Kershaw for the fourth consecutive year, where attendance and competition have surged annually. In addition to its favorable climate in April, CMP has continued to invest in facilities and camping infrastructure, reinforcing its role as a high-energy launch to the GRIDLIFE calendar. USF Junior will join the weekend schedule this round, adding an additional flavor for fans to enjoy.
GRIDLIFE Special Stage with Formula Drift - May 7-9
Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta - Braselton, Georgia
A hallmark collaboration in American car culture. GRIDLIFE runs the full 2.54-mile circuit by day, while Formula Drift takes over the drift loop at night. Even in 2025’s challenging weather, fans packed the fences for a 54-car Eibach GLTC grid, a sold-out RUSH Series field, and a constant stream of cars for full-course drift.
GRIDLIFE Midwest Festival - June 12-14
GingerMan Raceway - South Haven, Michigan
The beating heart of the GRIDLIFE community returns for its 13th iteration. More than 20,000 fans and 200+ competitors attended in 2025 and were treated to a new 100ft wide stage on Spectator Hill. For 2026, the Midwest Festival will continue to push the envelope as the nation's leading Motorsport Music Festival.
GRIDLIFE Summer Apex - July 24-26
Watkins Glen International - Watkins Glen, New York
A signature moment of the 2026 schedule. GRIDLIFE returns to the legendary Watkins Glen International for the first time since 2023 — now as a full-scale festival weekend for motorsports and music fans across the Northeast.
“Watkins Glen is a track that brings out the very best in drivers and fans,” said Chris Stewart, GRIDLIFE Founder. “Bringing Summer Apex here is about pairing an iconic venue with an iconic community. This will be one of the defining events of our season.”
GRIDLIFE Circuit Legends - August 21-23
Lime Rock Park - Lakeville, Connecticut
With a newly inked three-year extension, Circuit Legends continues as a staple of the GRIDLIFE calendar. 2025 saw sold-out camping and hillside crowds celebrating modern tuning culture on one of America’s most beloved road courses.
GRIDLIFE Laguna - September 18-20
WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca - Salinas, California
The season finale moves to the West Coast, closing out the year at one of the most iconic racing circuits in the world. Over 100 time attack entries, including over a half dozen Pikes Peak Hill Climb competitors, took part in 2025, with multiple track records shattered. GRIDLIFE Laguna continues to emerge as the premier showcase of speed, competition, and California car culture.
A National Platform, Elevated
The 2026 schedule reinforces GRIDLIFE’s position as a leading national festival platform for grassroots motorsports, live music, and automotive culture. Each event is designed to deliver a high-impact, community-driven experience rooted in passion, creativity, and competition.
“Every event should feel like the best weekend of the year,” said Stewart. “That’s the bar. That’s the vision. And we’re ready to bring those vibes in full force this season.”
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