Montreal tourism gets a boost after Canadian Grand Prix rescheduled from June to May

McLaren driver Lando Norris of the United Kingdom leads the pack at the start of Formula One auto racing Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal on Sunday, May 24, 2026. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes)

The decision to move the Canadian Grand Prix from June to May was a “resounding success for Montreal’s tourism industry,” according to Tourisme Montréal.

“The results show that we made the right decision in supporting the move of the Grand Prix to May,” said Yves Lalumière, president and CEO of Tourisme Montréal. “This change in the calendar allows us to attract more visitors at the very start of the season, while also freeing up space in June to host major conventions and other large-scale events.”

• READ MORE: Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal: 19-year-old Italian sensation wins

Numbers show that in May, hotel demand surged by 12.9 percent compared with June 2025, when the Grand Prix was held.

Additionally, in Laval, hotel stays rose by 10 per cent during the 2026 race weekend compared with the same period in 2025.

On the South Shore, accommodations were up by five per cent.

“The results recorded during the Grand Prix confirm how strategically important this event is for our industry,” said Dominique Villeneuve, president and CEO of the Greater Montreal Hotel Association (AHGM). “With a hotel occupancy rate of 94.8 per cent across the Island of Montreal and significant demand growth both downtown and near the airport, hotels enjoyed an exceptional level of activity.”

Tourisme Montréal pointed out that May’s strong performance, also linked to the Montreal Canadiens’ playoff run, didn’t hurt the numbers in June.

• READ MORE: Hurricanes take Eastern Conference final with 6-1 win over Canadiens

“Even without the Grand Prix, hotel demand for June 2026 is tracking at the same level as June 2025, when the event was still part of the calendar,” it pointed out.

Other events scheduled in Montreal for the summer include Les Francos de Montréal, the Montreal Jazz Festival, the Festival International Nuits d’Afrique de Montréal, Just for Laughs, and a wide array of cultural, culinary and sporting events.