If you are part of the motorsports world, December is the month that matters most. The racing calendar may slow down, but the business of racing shifts into high gear. From December 10 to 12, 2026, the global motorsports industry will gather in Indianapolis, Indiana, for the most important trade event in the sport. This guide covers everything you need to know before you arrive.
What Is the PRI Show?
The Performance Racing Industry Show is the world’s largest gathering of motorsports professionals. It takes place every year at the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The event brings together manufacturers, race teams, retailers, engine builders, fabricators, distributors, and suppliers under one enormous roof for three straight days of business, education, and networking.
The show serves a single industry that generates more than $69.2 billion in annual economic activity, supports more than 318,000 American jobs, and produces more than $22.1 billion in wages and benefits. Therefore, what happens on the show floor has real economic consequences for hundreds of thousands of people.
Additionally, this is not a consumer event. It is a trade-only show designed for qualified motorsports industry professionals. Every person in the building is there to do business.
Dates, Venue and Location
The 2026 show runs from Thursday, December 10, through Saturday, December 12, 2026. The venue is the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium, located in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana. Indianapolis is widely known as the Racing Capital of the World, and for three days each December, it lives up to that title more than ever.
The Indiana Convention Center is one of the largest convention facilities in the United States. It connects directly to Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Indianapolis Colts, which gives the show access to an extraordinary amount of floor space. The Indoor Trailer Exhibit Area, for example, is set up directly on the Lucas Oil Stadium field.
Getting to the venue is straightforward. Indianapolis International Airport is approximately 12 miles from downtown. The convention center is also connected to several major hotels via enclosed skywalks, making it easy to move between your room and the show floor without ever stepping outside in December weather.
Tickets and Registration
Registration for the 2026 show is open now through the official website at performanceracing.com. One significant change for this year is that qualified motorsports industry professionals can register without a PRI membership. That opens the door to a wider pool of industry professionals who may not have attended before.
Registration follows a tiered pricing structure in 2026. The early-bird rate of $45 applies through October 2. After that, the price rises to $55 through December 9. On-site registration during the show costs $65. The message is clear: the earlier you register, the more you save.
It is important to understand that this remains a trade-only event. Attendees must be qualified motorsports industry professionals. This includes manufacturers, retailers, race teams, distributors, engine builders, media, and others directly involved in the business of motorsports. The show is not open to the general public.
If you have questions about whether you qualify, the official contact for attendee registration is Nicole Harless, reachable at 949.373.9230 or tradeshow@performanceracing.com. Hotel reservation cancellations are due by October 16, 2026, to avoid penalty fees. A $50 cancellation charge applies for any reservation cancelled in full after that date.
The Exhibition Floor: Over 1,000 Brands Under One Roof
The exhibition floor is the commercial engine of the entire event. More than 920 exhibiting companies have already secured over 360,000 net square feet of exhibit space for 2026. By the time the doors open in December, that number is expected to reach well over 1,000 exhibitors.
Every form of auto racing is represented. Stock car, drag, sports car, prototype, sprint car, midget, modified, formula, dirt late model, sport compact, karting, vintage, and off-road racing all have a presence. Additionally, the show features products and services spanning every part of the motorsports ecosystem, from engine components and chassis parts to safety equipment, simulation tools, and business software.
The Featured Products Showcase is one of the most visited destinations on the floor. Each year, hundreds of products compete for recognition from a panel of motorsports industry judges. These standout products represent the technologies and trends that are actively shaping racing performance. In past years, more than 400 products have competed for these awards, with winners gaining significant commercial visibility.
For those scouting manufacturing equipment, Machinery Row in the Yellow Hall is a must-visit destination. It features live side-by-side demonstrations of CNC machining centers, welding and fabrication tools, dynamometers, and engine building technology. Seeing this equipment in action is far more informative than any product sheet.
Specialty Areas and Product Destinations
Beyond the main floor, the show organizes several specialty zones that give specific sectors their own dedicated space.
The Indoor Trailer Exhibit Area sits on the Lucas Oil Stadium field. It is the place to go for the latest haulers, motorhomes, toterhomes, and race transporters. These are large vehicles that require large display spaces, and the stadium field provides exactly that.
T.O.P.S. HQ, which stands for Tracks, Operators, Promotions, and Sanctions, is a dedicated hub for track promoters, operators, and sanctioning bodies. This area has grown significantly in recent years. It provides a centralized space for collaboration, business meetings, and targeted seminars focused on improving track operations and growing grassroots racing.
NextGen Connect is designed specifically for students and young professionals entering the motorsports industry. It serves as a bridge between education and employment, connecting the next wave of talent with the companies and professionals already shaping the sport.
PRI Paddock gives race teams a place to display their cars and equipment in a way that mirrors the real paddock environment. It is one of the more visually compelling sections of the show and draws strong foot traffic throughout all three days.
New for 2026: The Motorsports Engineering Symposium
One of the biggest additions to the 2026 program is the debut of the PRI Motorsports Engineering Symposium. This is a full-day program taking place on Thursday, December 10, at the Indiana Convention Center.
The symposium brings together race engineers, teams, manufacturers, technical leaders, and university engineering programs for a day of education and collaboration. Unlike a traditional seminar format, the program is built around real-world engineering challenges and performance solutions. Cross-discipline collaboration is central to the design.
PRI Managing Director Doug Bresnahan explained the purpose directly: the symposium was created for engineers to learn, collaborate, and network with motorsports industry professionals. PRI Show Director Karin Davidson added that at its core, motorsports is driven by engineering, and this program creates the dedicated space that technical conversation needs to grow.
The symposium is intended for race engineers, OEM engineering groups, manufacturers, performance suppliers, simulation and data companies, motorsports consultants, and university engineering programs. For anyone in the technical side of the sport, this is a brand-new and compelling reason to attend on the first day.
Show Schedule and Daily Events
The three days of the show each have their own character and rhythm.
Thursday, December 10, serves as the opening day. The PRI Motorsports Engineering Symposium runs as a full-day program. Show floor hours begin and the exhibitor move-in deadline passes, with the floor opening at 7:00 a.m. for exhibitors ahead of general attendee access.
The Grand Opening Breakfast kicks off the show in style. Doors open at 6:30 a.m. and the program begins at 7:30 a.m. The breakfast is free to all registered attendees, but seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early. The program traditionally includes the announcement of the newest PRI Hall of Fame class, celebrating individuals who have made a significant impact on the motorsports industry.
On Thursday evening
The PRI Full Throttle Social runs from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Lucas Oil Stadium concourse. This event combines the best of the show’s social networking receptions into a single high-energy gathering. It is one of the best opportunities to connect with industry leaders outside the formality of the show floor.
Friday, December 11
Continues with full show floor access and the main seminar program. More than 50 educational sessions are scheduled across topics including technical performance, marketing strategies, and business development. The T.O.P.S. BS and Brews Happy Hour also takes place on Friday, offering a relaxed setting for track operators and sanctioning body representatives to connect.
Saturday, December 12
Is the final day and features the Next-Gen Education Track. This program is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to enter the motorsports industry. Sessions cover what today’s employers are looking for, how to navigate career pathways, and how to build professional relationships. The Gear Up Girl Lunch, powered by the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network, also takes place on Saturday, celebrating and supporting women in motorsports. The show floor closes at 4:00 p.m. sharp, and no exhibitor may begin breaking down their booth before that time without penalty.
Education Beyond the Floor
The educational programming at the show extends well beyond the new Engineering Symposium. More than 50 seminars run across the three days, covering a wide range of topics for different segments of the industry.
Race team managers will find sessions on crew management and cost control. Engine builders can attend technical clinics on the latest machining and assembly techniques. Retailers and distributors gain insights into marketing, digital strategy, and inventory management. The breadth of programming means that no matter your role in the industry, there is content specifically relevant to you.
The media center provides full-service press support for credentialed media, including private interview rooms and dedicated workspaces. Several major trade and consumer media organizations attend all three days, making the show an important platform for product launches and brand announcements.
Networking: Where Business Gets Done
Many of the most important outcomes of the show happen through conversations rather than formal sessions. The show is built to facilitate these connections at every level.
Structured networking events like the Grand Opening Breakfast and the Full Throttle Social create natural meeting points. The Show Planner tool on the official website allows attendees to browse exhibitors, view events, and build a personalized schedule before they arrive. AI-assisted matchmaking tools help attendees identify the most relevant contacts and sessions for their specific goals.
With more than 40,000 motorsports professionals attending from all 50 states and 70 countries, the diversity of the room is extraordinary. However, what makes those numbers meaningful is the shared focus. Everyone in Indianapolis that week is there for the same reason: to grow the business of racing.
Exhibiting at the 2026 Show
For companies that want to exhibit, the process looks a little different in 2026. PRI has launched a new customer management system powered by Salesforce. Any company that has not already submitted the Exhibit Space Rental Application for 2026 must first activate a new account in this system.
Once registered, exhibitors can secure booth space, download invoices, complete online payments, and access free planning resources through the Exhibitor Services Manual on prishow.com. The manual covers everything from move-in and move-out procedures to shipping information, booth regulations, catering arrangements, and marketing opportunities. Exhibitors can also request trailer and rig parking, meeting rooms, audio-visual services, and internet connectivity through the manual’s vendor directory.
The show offers exhibitors unparalleled access to purchase-ready buyers. According to PRI, the brands that win at the show are the ones that act first in securing booth space and beginning their promotional planning well ahead of December.
Conclusion
The 2026 Performance Racing Industry Show is set to be one of the most significant gatherings in the history of the event. Running from December 10 to 12 at the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium in downtown Indianapolis, it will unite more than 40,000 motorsports professionals from across the globe with over 1,000 exhibiting companies covering 360,000 square feet of exhibition space. The debut of the Motorsports Engineering Symposium adds a major new dimension to the show’s educational program.
Signature events like the Grand Opening Breakfast, the Full Throttle Social, and the Next-Gen Education Track ensure that every day has a distinct energy and purpose. Registration is now open, with tiered pricing starting at $45 for those who register before October 2. Whether you are there to source products, launch a new brand, close a deal, or build the professional relationships that carry your business forward into 2027, this is the one event in motorsports you cannot afford to miss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2026 PRI Show open to the general public?
No. The show is a trade-only event for qualified motorsports industry professionals. This includes manufacturers, retailers, race teams, distributors, engine builders, media, and others directly involved in the business of motorsports. The general public is not admitted.
How much does it cost to attend and when should I register?
Registration follows a tiered pricing structure. The early rate is $45 through October 2, 2026. It increases to $55 through December 9, and rises to $65 for on-site registration during the show. Registering early saves money and guarantees your spot. You no longer need a PRI membership to register.
What is the PRI Motorsports Engineering Symposium?
The Motorsports Engineering Symposium is a brand-new full-day program debuting at the 2026 show on Thursday, December 10. It brings together race engineers, manufacturers, technical leaders, and university engineering programs for a day focused on real-world engineering challenges and performance innovation. It is designed for engineers, OEM groups, performance suppliers, simulation companies, and motorsports consultants.
What types of products and companies will be at the show?
The show features more than 1,000 exhibiting companies covering the full motorsports ecosystem. Products include engine components, chassis parts, safety equipment, fabrication tools, simulation technology, race trailers, and business solutions. Every form of racing discipline is represented, from drag and dirt late model to karting and vintage racing.
How do I book a hotel for the event?
PRI arranges an official hotel block for attendees. Hotel reservation cancellations must be submitted by October 16, 2026, to avoid a $50 cancellation fee. Hotels enforce a 72-hour cancellation policy leading up to arrival. Details and booking links are available on the official show website at performanceracing.com. Many hotels are connected to the Indiana Convention Center via enclosed skywalks.
