The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) has announced the launch of the Miami World Powerboat Grand Prix, a major new international event scheduled for 20–26 October 2026 in Miami, Florida.
Positioned as a defining moment for the sport, the week-long championship will, for the first time, bring together powerboating’s leading disciplines under a single banner. Offshore racing, Formula 1 powerboats, drag boats and elite personal watercraft competition will all feature across multiple venues, including the iconic Miami Marine Stadium and offshore courses along Miami’s coastline.
The event will also crown the inaugural IHRA World Powerboating Champions, with organisers describing it as the beginning of a unified global platform for the sport.
“This is the moment the sport comes together,” said Leah Martin. “We’re bringing the sport’s premier powerboating disciplines, teams and athletes into one championship environment and putting them on a stage that matches their level. Miami gives us the global platform to do it right — at scale, with purpose, and for the future of the sport.”
The return to Miami Marine Stadium — long regarded as one of the most recognisable venues in powerboat racing history — is expected to provide a dramatic backdrop for the event, while offshore competition along the city’s waterfront aims to showcase the sport to a broader international audience.
IHRA says the Grand Prix represents a significant shift for powerboat racing, which has traditionally operated across fragmented series and sanctioning bodies. By combining multiple disciplines into one championship week, the organisation hopes to establish a clearer pathway for teams, athletes and fans alike.
Founded in the United States, IHRA oversees a range of professional and grassroots motorsport programmes, with a focus on racer development, safety and innovation across multiple racing categories.
Learn more: IHRA announces Miami Powerboat Grand Prix World Championship: a new global standard
