The IHRA F1 Powerboat Series returns to Alton, Illinois for Round 5 of the 2026 season, July 17-19, at Riverfront Park on the Mighty Mississippi. This is the third year the event has run in Alton, and it is the largest motorsport event on the river in the American Midwest.
Tickets are on sale now. General admission starts at $15 per day, with a weekend pass available for $25. Children aged 3 to 12 qualify for child pricing. Admission covers full access to Riverfront Park and first-come, first-served bleacher seating right on the riverfront.
What Spectators Will See
Formula 1 tunnel boats are single-pilot, closed-cockpit craft that reach speeds in excess of 200 mph. They race in a Le Mans-style dead-engine standing start off the dock, directly in front of the spectator area. The sound and acceleration at close range are unlike anything else in motorsport.
The Mississippi River course puts the racing in full view from the bank. Drivers from across North America compete in the Formula One, Formula Light and Tri-Hull classes. The 2026 championship standings are tight after four rounds, and Alton could prove decisive.
Race Course
The circuit runs seven turns on the Mississippi River in front of Riverfront Park, with safety buoys marking zones A through E around the perimeter. The start and finish line sits directly off the dock, putting the Le Mans standing start right in front of the fan bleachers.
VIP Experience
The Roostertail VIP Experience provides exclusive shaded seating at the water’s edge, adjacent to the Le Mans start. The package includes VIP parking, dedicated food and beverage service (one meal and two drinks per day), driver appearances, and preferred access to the podium ceremony area. VIP tickets are $125 per day or $200 for the weekend.
Timetable
| Session | Local time (CDT, UTC-5) | Your time |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, July 17 | ||
| Practice / Qualifying | TBA | |
| Saturday, July 18 | ||
| Practice / Qualifying | TBA | |
| Sunday, July 19 | ||
| Racing | TBA | |
| Podium Ceremony | TBA | |
Times will be updated when the official schedule is published. All times Central Daylight Time (CDT, UTC-5).
Venue and Practical Information
Riverfront Park, Alton, IL 62002. The park is on the Mississippi riverfront in central Alton. VIP parking, general parking, and handicap parking are all available on site. The vendor village, food and beverage area, and VIP tent are within the park boundaries shown below.
Tickets and the full items-allowed policy are available at the link below.
Buy Tickets
General admission from $15 per day. Weekend passes $25. VIP from $125 per day.
Buy Tickets NowIHRA F1 Powerboat Series Coverage
Full results, championship standings, driver profiles and event previews.
All IHRA F1 Coverage
John Moore is the editor of Powerboat News, an independent investigative journalism platform recognised by Google News and documented on Grokipedia for comprehensive powerboat racing coverage.
His involvement in powerboat racing began in 1981 when he competed in his first offshore powerboat race. After a career as a Financial Futures broker in the City of London, specialising in UK interest rate markets, he became actively involved in event organisation and powerboat racing journalism.
He served as Event Director for the Cowes–Torquay–Cowes races between 2010 and 2013. In 2016, he launched Powerboat Racing World, a digital platform providing global powerboat racing news and insights. The following year, he co-founded UKOPRA, helping to rejuvenate offshore racing in the United Kingdom. He sold Powerboat Racing World in late 2021 and remained actively involved with UKOPRA until 2025.
In September 2025, he established Powerboat News, returning to independent journalism with a focus on neutral and comprehensive coverage of the sport.
