Detroit Grand Prix Canceled Due To Coronavirus

DETROIT, MI — The 2020 Detroit Grand Prix has been canceled due to the coronavirus, officials announced Monday.

Grand Prix officials said in a statement that it was not possible to host the event, scheduled for May 29-31 at Belle Isle Park, due to the current public health restriction and mandates. The statement cited the event was canceled to help protect the health, safety and well-being of the spectators and employees at the event.

Organizers said they had spent the past few weeks working with local authorities to try and secure an alternate date for the event on Belle Isle in 2020. However, officials were unable to find a new date on Belle Isle. Organizers plan to host the Detroit Grand Prix at Belle Isle Park next summer, from June 4-6, 2021.

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“The Grand Prix is a very important event for Belle Isle Park, the City of Detroit, the City of Windsor and all of southeast Michigan," said Bud Denker, chairman of the Detroit Grand Prix. "It is certainly disappointing that it won’t take place this year, but the health and safety of everyone at the Grand Prix is always our top priority. We looked at every possible scenario to reschedule the race, but all of them would have been too disruptive to the hundreds of fall events that will take place on Belle Isle. Some events, like weddings, family reunions and festivals, have been scheduled a year in advance and it would not be right to alter anyone’s plans.

"We look forward to the Grand Prix returning in 2021 as we continue our mission of revitalizing Belle Isle Park and providing significant support to the Belle Isle Conservancy, while helping to inject millions of dollars in economic benefit to our cities and our region.”

Grand Prix ticketholders will be contacted in the near future regarding their 2020 ticket purchases, the press release said. Click here for more information pertaining to ticket purchases.