Le Mans Classic goes annual from 2026; a new era with a bold retro edge

Le Mans Classic is shifting up a gear. From 2026 it becomes an annual event, giving fans a fresh edition every summer instead of waiting years between gatherings. The first in this new cycle is Le Mans Classic Legend 2026, a full celebration of the turbo era of the 1970s through to the early 2010s. It’s a major step for the organisers and a big moment for anyone who follows endurance racing.

And the first edition of this new cycle arrives with attitude.

Le Mans Classic Legend 2026 leans hard into a slick neo-retro look inspired by the 1970s to the 2010s. Think neon brights, late-night racing atmosphere, and that hazy motorsport nostalgia. The updated visual identity aims to capture the thrill of classic racing without feeling stuck in the past.

It’s a smart move. It roots the event in its heritage but will feel dead sexy to the people who grew up obsessed with Group C monsters and glossy endurance-race posters on their bedroom walls

When is it?

The event runs from 2 to 5 July 2026 on the legendary Circuit de la Sarthe. It’s a huge weekend for car fans, as any fule kno. But the switch to an annual format is what’s made everyone’s ears prick up. From 2026 onward, two versions will rotate:

• Le Mans Classic Legend – the 1970s to 2010s era, with turbo engines, GT icons and the kind of aggressive design that shaped a generation of car culture. This is the 2026 edition, with new grids (6 to 10).

• Le Mans Classic Heritage – launching in 2027, focusing on the earliest days of endurance racing, from 1923 up to the 1970s, covering pre-war machines, early GTs and historic rivalries

This new structure means fans will now get a fresh take every summer. No repeats and no waiting years for your favourite era.

The scale remains enormous. The 2025 event saw almost 238,000 spectators, 800 cars on the track and more than 9,000 club vehicles brought by 220 international groups. The organisers clearly expect 2026 to match that energy, if not top it

Ticketing has opened with a wider spread of options

The standard Entry ticket still gets you into the village, the trackside areas and the club displays. You can upgrade to paddock access, grandstand seating or both. VIP and hospitality packages return for anyone wanting a more exclusive view. And for the first time there’s a Weekend ticket for Saturday and Sunday visits. The organisers have also kept things friendly for people staying on-site, with spaces for tents, caravans and motorhomes.

A major addition for 2026 is the redesigned M24 Motorsport Museum, now an 8,600-square-metre space built as an immersive journey through the entire world of motorsport. It spans Formula 1, endurance, rally and American racing culture. Weekend or four-day ticket holders get access, making it an easy extra stop between races. The museum is only open to visitors on the days their ticket is valid

The event also continues its partnership with the Paris Brain Institute, a leading centre for neuroscience research. Fans can add a small donation when buying tickets, supporting work into conditions such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis and stroke. With one in two Europeans affected by neurological disorders in their lifetime, it’s a meaningful link between motorsport passion and real-world impact

For most, the real draw will be the cars

Classic Legend covers the era that shaped modern motorsport fandom. The brutal beauty of prototypes from the 1980s. The unmistakable lines of GTs from the 1990s. The technical leaps of the early 2000s. These decades still define how a lot of us think racing should look and sound.

Add the neon-drenched new branding and you’ve got an event that plays with nostalgia in a confident way. It knows its audience. It knows that for GenX, Le Mans was the race that made motorsport glamorous, dangerous and impossibly cool.

That’s what Le Mans Classic Legend 2026 is promising to bring back. Not just a historic showcase, but a full sensory revival of the racing eras we grew up with. Vroommmmm!

Tickets are available now on the Le Mans website