Le Mans Gearing Up for 50,000 Spectators in August

The Automobile Club de l’Ouest has confirmed that this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans will be opened up to fans, with “approximately 50,000” spectators or 20 percent of the normal capacity permitted to attend the event on August 18-22.

Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. CEST (4 a.m. EST) on Monday, June 21 while ACO members can book their tickets three days in advance of the general release.

The ACO has outlined plans to hold the 2021 edition of Le Mans with limited fan numbers, in accordance with French government regulations.

It was forced to stage last year’s September edition in front of empty grandstands amid rising COVID-19 case numbers in France after the summer.

The ACO’s latest announcement for the approaching race comes after its President, Pierre Fillon, said last month that the Le Mans organizing body was “confident” of fans being able to attend with certain measures in place to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Race weekend attendees will be required to present a French government ‘health pass’ showing full vaccination status, a negative PCR test result taken within 48 hours or proof of previous COVID-19 infection between 15 days and six months.

Doors to the circuit will open to fans on Wednesday, Aug. 18 for the first Free Practice session. The ACO has said that “several campsites” and car parks will be open. The Test Day on Aug. 15 and scrutineering on Aug. 14 will go ahead behind closed doors.

The funfair and mid-race concert will not be held this year in a coronavirus control measure, but the ACO has indicated that other off-track entertainment will be available.

It has also guaranteed that all ticket holders will be entitled to a full refund in the event of the race being canceled or taken behind closed doors for the second consecutive year.