Every December, Indianapolis becomes the center of the racing world. Tens of thousands of professionals travel from across the globe to walk the show floor, discover the latest products, forge new partnerships, and do serious business. If you work in motorsports in any capacity, this is the one event you simply cannot afford to miss. This complete guide covers everything you need to know before you arrive, from dates and ticket prices to the floorplan, schedule, and travel tips.
What Is the PRI Show?
The Performance Racing Industry Trade Show, commonly known as the PRI Show, is the world’s largest gathering of motorsports professionals. It brings together more than 1,100 exhibiting companies with 70,000 attendees from all 50 states and 70 countries, every December, in the heart of the racing industry in Indianapolis.
The show covers every form of motorsport you can think of. All forms of auto racing are showcased under one roof, including stock car, drag, sports car, prototype, sprint car, midget, modified, formula, dirt late model, sport compact, karting, vintage, and more. Additionally, the event functions as a business platform as much as a product showcase. It is where deals get done, product lines get launched, and the future of the industry takes shape.
Dates: When Is PRI 2026?
The 2026 PRI Trade Show will be held Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, December 10 through 12, 2026, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The show runs across three full days. Thursday, December 10, runs from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Friday, December 11, runs from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Saturday, December 12, is the final day, with the show closing at 4:00 pm sharp. Any exhibitor that begins breaking down their booth prior to 4:00 pm on Saturday will incur a penalty from PRI Management.
These three days represent the biggest business window in all of motorsports. Therefore, planning your schedule in advance is strongly recommended. The show floor is enormous, and three days can go by faster than you expect.
Venue: Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium
The 2026 PRI Show is set for December 10 through 12 at the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium in downtown Indianapolis. These two connected facilities create one of the most impressive trade show environments in the United States.
The Indiana Convention Center is a vast, modern facility in the heart of downtown. It connects directly to Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts. Together, they provide an enormous, climate-controlled exhibition space that can comfortably accommodate the scale of the PRI Show.
One of the most practical advantages of this venue is its connectivity. The Convention Center, downtown hotels, and parking garages are connected by a network of closed walkways to facilitate city access even on the coldest days. In December, when temperatures in Indianapolis can drop significantly, this indoor walkway system is a genuine comfort for attendees moving between sessions, hotels, and the show floor.
The venue address is located at 100 South Capitol Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana 46225.
Tickets and Registration: How to Attend
The PRI Show remains a trade-only event for qualified industry professionals. This is not a consumer show open to the general public. To attend, you must work in the motorsports industry in a professional capacity. However, the good news for 2026 is that the process has become more accessible than ever before.
Qualified motorsports industry professionals can now register for the PRI Show without a PRI membership. This change makes the event more open to a wider range of professionals who may not have previously held a membership.
Pricing follows a tiered structure. New for 2026, attendee registration follows a tiered pricing structure, starting at $45 through October 2, increasing to $55 through December 9, and $65 during the Show. Registering early is therefore the smartest move both financially and logistically. Early registration allows attendees to receive their credentials in advance beginning in October, helping them save time and get straight to business when they arrive in Indianapolis.
To register, visit PRI2026.com/Attend. For questions about registration, contact PRI Show Manager Nicole Harless at nicoleh@performanceracing.com or by calling 949-373-9230.
The Floorplan: What to Expect on the Show Floor
More than 920 exhibiting companies have already secured more than 360,000 net square feet of exhibit space, creating a show floor packed with the latest racing technology, performance products, manufacturing equipment, simulation tools, trailers, and business solutions.
The floorplan for the 2026 edition is already live at prishow.com/floorplan. It is worth studying before you arrive. The show floor is divided into color-coded halls, each with its own character and product focus. Knowing where the exhibitors you care about are located will save you significant time.
Several specialty zones make navigating the floor more intuitive. Here is a breakdown of the key areas:
- Machinery Row: Located in the Yellow Hall, this zone features live demonstrations of CNC machining centers, welding tools, fabrication equipment, dynamometers, and engine building technology.
- T.O.P.S. HQ: This stands for Tracks, Operators, Promotions, and Sanctions. It serves as the meeting hub for track officials, sanctioning body representatives, and event promoters.
- PRI Paddock: A destination for race car displays, full-build showcases, and rolling exhibits that bring the competition side of the industry to life.
- Trailer and Motorcoach Exhibits: A dedicated zone for the transport and support side of racing, featuring full-size trailers, motorcoaches, and related equipment.
- Hammer town: One of the show’s most popular areas, particularly for off-road and performance enthusiasts.
- NextGen Connect: A space focused on emerging technology and the next generation of motorsports professionals.
Additionally, the show floor is where major product launches happen. Brands from around the world time their biggest announcements to coincide with the event. Walking the floor with the official PRI Show App allows you to build your own schedule, navigate by hall, and track exhibitors you want to revisit.
Exhibitors: Who Will Be There
Join 40,000 or more motorsports professionals and 1,000 or more exhibitors for three days of dynamic engagement, collaboration, and innovation. The exhibitor roster at the 2026 show spans the full breadth of the industry.
You will find engine component manufacturers, chassis builders, fuel system specialists, data acquisition companies, safety equipment brands, tire suppliers, and much more. Attendees include more than 1,100 exhibitors from the motorsport industry, with attendees from over 70 countries.
Each year, a significant number of first-time exhibitors join the show. In 2025, for example, 161 companies exhibited at the PRI Show for the very first time. This constant influx of new brands ensures that the show floor always has something genuinely new to discover.
For those looking to source products, compare suppliers, or identify new technology partners, the exhibitor directory on prishow.com is an essential pre-show tool. You can search by product category, company name, or hall location.
Schedule Highlights: Education and Special Events
The show is far more than an exhibition floor. The 2026 edition includes a rich program of educational sessions, networking events, and special activations.
PRI Motorsports Engineering Symposium
New for the 2026 PRI Show is the PRI Motorsports Engineering Symposium, which will bring together race engineers, manufacturers, technical leaders, and university engineering programs for a full day of education and collaboration focused on advancing motorsports technology and performance. This is a landmark addition to the show’s programming and a must-attend for anyone working in the technical side of racing.
Grand Opening Breakfast
The Grand Opening Breakfast on Thursday morning is one of the most popular social events of the week. It brings together thousands of industry professionals before the show floor opens, setting the tone for three days of business and connection. Registration for the breakfast is separate from general show registration and tends to fill up quickly.
PRI Full Throttle Social
The Full Throttle Social is an after-hours networking event designed to extend the conversations that start on the show floor. It takes place in the evening on one of the show days and is a favorite among attendees for its relaxed atmosphere and high-quality networking.
Education Sessions and Seminars
Seminars are aimed at racers, retailers, engineers, and others within the ecosystem, catered for ongoing education. Topics typically cover business development, technical innovation, marketing strategies, data-driven performance, and industry trends. These sessions are led by practitioners with real-world experience, not just theorists.
The PRI Show Planner at prishow.com is the best tool for building your personal schedule across all show days. The mobile app version makes it easy to navigate while you are on-site.
Travel Guide: Getting to Indianapolis
Indianapolis is a well-connected city and one of the easiest convention destinations in the United States to reach.
Flying In
Indianapolis International Airport (IND) is approximately 15 miles from downtown. It serves direct flights from dozens of major US cities. Taxis, rideshare services, and rental cars are all readily available at the airport. The drive from the airport to downtown typically takes 20 to 25 minutes, depending on traffic.
Driving
Indianapolis sits at the crossroads of several major interstate highways, including I-65, I-70, I-74, and I-69. This makes it highly accessible by road from much of the Midwest and Southeast. Parking garages near the Indiana Convention Center fill up quickly during the show, so arriving early each day is advisable.
Hotels
Reservation cancellations and guest room updates are due by October 16, 2026. A $50 cancellation fee will be charged for each reservation cancelled in its entirety after this date. Hotels in downtown Indianapolis fill up rapidly during the show. PRI maintains an official hotel booking program linked through PRI2026.com/Attend, which offers negotiated rates at properties near the venue.
Because the Convention Center connects to many downtown hotels via the enclosed walkway system, staying in the immediate downtown area is highly recommended. You will avoid the cold December weather and save time every morning and evening.
For International Visitors
Visas are required for all international travel into the United States. If your country requires a Visa letter, please contact the PRI office at +1 (949) 499-5413 for assistance. Once you have registered for the Show, a Visa letter may be issued on your behalf.
The average temperature in Indianapolis in December is 37°F to 46°F. Pack warm layers, waterproof footwear, and a good coat. However, once you are inside the Convention Center and connected walkways, the indoor climate is comfortable and controlled.
Tips for Making the Most of PRI 2026
Attending the show without a plan means missing out. Here are a few practical tips to help you get maximum value from your three days:
- Register early to lock in the lowest ticket price and receive your credentials in advance.
- Download the PRI Show App before you arrive and build your schedule in advance.
- Study the floorplan and identify your top priority exhibitors and zones before day one.
- Book your hotel through the official PRI booking program as soon as registration opens.
- Attend the Grand Opening Breakfast to start the week with energy and new connections.
- Bring business cards and a clear pitch for who you are and what you do.
- Allow time for discovery. Some of the best finds at the show are brands you had not planned to visit.
Conclusion
PRI 2026 Indianapolis is set to be the most significant three days in the motorsports calendar this year. Taking place December 10 through 12 at the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium in downtown Indianapolis, the event will bring together more than 1,000 exhibitors and tens of thousands of professionals from every discipline in racing. The floorplan spans over 360,000 net square feet of exhibit space, with specialty zones including Machinery Row, T.O.P.S. HQ, PRI Paddock, NextGen Connect, and more. New for 2026, the PRI Motorsports Engineering Symposium adds a full day of technical education to the already rich program. Ticket prices start at $45 for early registrants, rising to $65 at the door, with registration open at PRI2026.com/Attend. Whether you are flying in from overseas or driving from the next state, Indianapolis in December is the place to be for anyone serious about the future of racing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the PRI Show open to the public?
No. The PRI Show is a trade-only event. To attend, you must be a qualified motorsports industry professional, such as a manufacturer, retailer, race team member, engine builder, fabricator, distributor, media representative, or sanctioning body official. Members of the general public without industry credentials are not permitted to attend.
How much does it cost to attend PRI 2026?
Registration for the 2026 PRI Show follows a tiered pricing structure. Early bird registration is $45 through October 2, 2026. The price increases to $55 from October 3 through December 9, and rises to $65 for on-site registration during the show itself. Registering early saves money and allows you to receive your credentials before you arrive.
Where exactly is the PRI Show held?
The show takes place at the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana. The two venues are directly connected and share a common show floor. The address is 100 South Capitol Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana 46225.
What are the show floor hours for PRI 2026?
The show runs Thursday, December 10, and Friday, December 11, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Saturday, December 12, the final day, runs from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Exhibitors are not permitted to begin breaking down their booths before the 4:00 pm closing on Saturday.
Do international visitors need a visa to attend?
Yes. Visas are required for all international visitors entering the United States. If your country requires a Visa invitation letter for your application, you can request one from PRI after completing your show registration. Contact the PRI office at +1 (949) 499-5413 for assistance. PRI recommends applying for your visa well in advance of the December show dates.
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