Miami World Powerboat Grand Prix: IHRA crowns its first champions

The Miami World Powerboat Grand Prix runs from 20 to 26 October 2026 in Miami, Florida. Announced on 4 May 2026 by the IHRA (International Hot Rod Association, based in Fairfield, Ohio), the week brings offshore, F1, drag boats and elite jet skis together in one event, with a clear aim: to crown the first IHRA world powerboating champions.

Four disciplines, one week

According to the announcements relayed by Speedsport and Boating New Zealand, the programme covers:

• offshore racing, on courses along the Miami coastline;
• F1 powerboats, the single-seaters of the water;
• drag boats, straight-line acceleration;
• elite jet skis (PWC, short for personal watercraft).

A return to Miami Marine Stadium

Racing is announced on the beaches of Miami and at Miami Marine Stadium, presented as a return to the venue. The site's recent history sets the scene: in April 2018, a round of the P1 AquaX US Series there gathered eight boats and more than 105 personal watercraft, at up to 70 mph. The head of Powerboat P1 described it as the first race at the Marine Stadium in more than 26 years, since Hurricane Andrew.

What is not yet known

The sources we consulted publish no detailed classes, no entry list, no prize fund and no session times. We therefore name no favourites and make no predictions.

Why it matters

The IHRA wants to make this week a shared showcase for four powerboating disciplines under one championship. How the titles will be awarded at the end is something the organiser did not specify in the announcements we consulted.

The editorial team