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F1 Powerboat National Championships Returns to Pittsburgh in 2027

The championship in 2027 will coincide with Pittsburgh's Fourth of July celebration

Posted On: July 6, 2026 By : Paul Stevens

The Formula One Powerboat National Championships will return to Pittsburgh’s Three Rivers for the first time in a decade next year, headlining the city’s Fourth of July celebration in 2027 as part of a two-day land and water event.

The event will mark the beginning of a three-year partnership between SportsPITTSBURGH, a division of VisitPITTSBURGH, and the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) Powerboat Series.

By announcing a new annual Fourth of July tradition with a year to go until the first event, SportsPITTSBURGH wants to strengthen the city’s reputation as one of America’s premier sports and entertainment destinations.

“Western Pennsylvania is writing an exciting new chapter, and this event is another example of the momentum we’re building together,” said Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis. “As communities across the Commonwealth celebrate America250, bringing championship powerboat racing back to Pittsburgh creates an incredible new tradition that showcases our rivers, welcomes visitors from across the country and gives families another reason to celebrate right here in Pennsylvania.”

“Pittsburgh has earned a national reputation for hosting world-class sporting events, and this partnership represents the next evolution of that success,” said Jerad Bachar, president and CEO of VisitPITTSBURGH. “We’re not simply bringing powerboat racing back to our rivers—we’re creating a signature Fourth of July tradition that showcases one of Pittsburgh’s greatest assets, strengthens our visitor economy and gives travelers another compelling reason to choose Pittsburgh year after year.”

Competing for the National Championships on the Allegheny River, drivers in the Formula Lights and Tri-Hull classes will compete throughout the weekend, in an event that has been created to be an “action-packed racing festival.”

F1 Powerboat Championship Series

Established in 2017, the Formula One Powerboat Championship is a six-race series contested across North America from May through September. The series features weekend-long community events, as more than 20 Formula One boats compete by reaching speeds of up to 120 mph.

While U.S. Powerboat racing first began in 1903, the inaugural Formula One World Championship (motor racing on land) was staged at the Silverstone Circuit in the UK in 1950.

IHRA’s Expanding Footprint

The IHRA acquired tunnel-boat racing series F1 Powerboat Racing back in December, expanding the organization’s footprint in water-based motorsports. The acquisition brought F1 Powerboat Racing under the IHRA Powerboating umbrella as they sought to created a unified vision for the future of powerboat racing — one that would be defined by racer-first principles, enhanced safety standards and elevated fan experiences.
“We’re thrilled to bring the inaugural Formula One Powerboat National Championship to Pittsburgh for the next three years,” said Tim Seebold, IHRA’s managing director of F1. “This is such a fabulous venue for these high-powered watercrafts, and, with the other two classes, we are looking for some great racing on these tricky waters.”

SportsPITTSBURGH Milestone

The 2027 Pittsburgh Formula One Powerboat National Championship will be a milestone for SportsPITTSBURGH since it will become the first event to be owned and operated by VisitPITTSBURGH’s sports tourism division.

Although the organization has been responsible for attracting major sporting events to the region, the investment is part of a broader strategy to create signature experiences for new visitors and generate long-term economic impact throughout Allegheny County. SportsPITTSBURGH’s vision of Where Sport Forges Impact is designed to continue attracting and creating world-class sporting events throughout the region, as well as to showcase Pittsburgh’s key tourism assets.

“Tourism is one of Allegheny County’s most important economic drivers, supporting thousands of local jobs and generating opportunities for businesses and communities across our region,” said Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato. “Investments in signature events like the Pittsburgh Formula One Powerboat National Championship strengthen our visitor economy while showcasing our rivers, our neighborhoods and the energy that continues to define Allegheny County as a destination on the rise.”

As well as the racing, there will be other free and family-friendly entertainment options, such as fly-boarders, stunt dogs and a drone light show.

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