Coming to the Lake: Your Guide to the 2026 Lake Hopatcong Offshore Grand Prix
OFFICIAL EVENT GUIDE
Lake Hopatcong, NJ
September 18-20, 2026
Lake Hopatcong is the place to be September 18-20, 2026, when OPA Racing brings three days of offshore powerboat racing, live entertainment, food, drinks, and lakeside parties to New Jersey's largest lake.
This is more than a race weekend. It is a chance to see the boats and teams up close, spend time around the pits, enjoy live bands, and watch two full days of racing from two different parts of the lake. Come for the speed. Stay for the parties.
Schedule note: The official OPA schedule is tentative and subject to change. Check the event schedule before heading out.
The weekend at a glance
| Day | What is happening | Where to go |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, September 17 | Pits open, registration, and the Racer Party | Lake Hopatcong; Racer Party at Mason Street |
| Friday, September 18 | Testing, live bands, and the Welcome Party | Lake Hopatcong Offshore Grand Prix event area |
| Saturday, September 19 | JSBR heats, two OPA races, team access, food, drinks, and live bands | Lake Forest Yacht Club |
| Sunday, September 20 | Six OPA race blocks, live bands, and the awards ceremony | Main-lake viewing at The Windlass or The Jefferson House; racing between The Windlass and Bertrand Island |
Thursday: the teams arrive and the party starts
The weekend begins Thursday, September 17, when the pits open at noon and registration runs from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. As teams arrive, the lake starts to take on the energy of race weekend: boats are being prepared, crews are getting organized, and fans can begin to see the offshore racing community come together.
That evening, the Racer Party at Mason Street brings the community together with live bands, drinks, and a chance to meet the people behind the boats. If you are coming to the lake for the full experience, Thursday is the night to get settled in and join the party before the racing begins.
Friday: testing, live music, and the Welcome Party
Friday is a full preparation day on the water and around the pits. Registration and safety and technical inspections take place in two windows, from 9:00 AM to noon and from 1:00 to 5:00 PM. On-water testing runs from noon to 4:00 PM as teams work through the rules of the road and prepare for race day.
Live bands are scheduled from noon to 4:00 PM. Then, from 5:00 to 10:00 PM, the Lake Hopatcong Offshore Grand Prix Welcome Party takes over with more live music and a proper kickoff to the race weekend.
Make a night of it. Bring your friends, find a place for dinner and drinks, and enjoy the boats, teams, and crews as the lake gets ready for two days of racing. Friday is where the weekend's party atmosphere really begins.
Race teams and boats on display all weekend
The boats and race teams will be on display throughout the weekend at Lake Forest Yacht Club, giving fans the opportunity to get close to the equipment and the people who race it. The pit area is where the race weekend comes alive between heats and races. Fans can see the boats, watch crews prepare, take photos, and experience the atmosphere that makes offshore racing different from watching a race from a distance.
The team presence is part of the event. Come early, walk through the race-village area, and stay around the venue between races. The schedule includes opportunities to see the boats up close and connect with the racing community. As always, please follow posted access and safety directions around the pits.
Saturday: race day at Lake Forest Yacht Club
Saturday, September 19, is the first full day of racing and the best place to be is Lake Forest Yacht Club. It is the home of the pit area and the Saturday race program, with the boats, crews, food, drinks, and live entertainment all in one place.
The day begins with physicals at 8:00 AM and drivers' meetings at 9:00 and 9:30 AM. Crane and ramp operations begin at 10:00 AM, and race control is operational at 10:00 AM.
JSBR heats are scheduled throughout the late morning and early afternoon:
- 10:30 AM: JSBR Heat Set
- 11:00 AM: JSBR Heat Set
- 12:00 PM: JSBR Heat Set
- 1:00 PM: JSBR Heat Set
OPA racing begins in the afternoon:
- 2:00 PM: OPA Race One, Class 700 "Race One"
- 3:00 PM: OPA Race Two, Classes 600 and 500
- 3:45 PM: JSBR Award Ceremony
Saturday is also a full entertainment day. Food and drinks are available at the venue, and live bands are scheduled from 4:00 to 10:00 PM. Stay after the afternoon racing and turn race day into a night out at the lake.
Saturday's best viewing plan
For the most complete Saturday experience, arrive at Lake Forest Yacht Club early. Start with the boats and teams in the pit area, watch the heats and OPA races, then stay for the food, drinks, live bands, and post-race atmosphere.
35 Yacht Club Drive
Lake Hopatcong, NJ 07849
Sunday: main-lake racing at Nolan's Point
Sunday, September 20, moves the action onto the main lake. The race course runs between The Windlass and Bertrand Island, creating a wide-open lakeside spectacle with multiple ways to watch.
The Sunday schedule begins with physicals at 8:00 AM, the drivers' meeting at 9:00 AM, crane and ramp operations at 10:00 AM, and race control at 10:30 AM. Racing begins at 11:00 AM and continues through the afternoon:
- 11:00 AM: OPA Race Three, Class 700 "Race Two"
- 12:00 PM: OPA Race Four, Classes 600 and 500
- 1:00 PM: OPA Race Five, Classes 400, 300, and C300
- 2:00 PM: OPA Race Six, Super Vee and Modified Vee
- 3:00 PM: OPA Race Six, SuperCat, Super Stock, and Factory Stock
Live bands are scheduled from 4:00 to 10:00 PM, and the weekend concludes with the Awards Ceremony at 7:00 PM.
Sunday's best viewing locations
The Windlass
The Windlass is one of the best places to settle in for Sunday's main-lake racing. It offers waterfront dining, food, drinks, and lake views near the race course. For guests who want a comfortable race-day base, The Windlass has promoted reserved seating and race-viewing options for the 12:00-4:00 PM window. Reservations are recommended because space is limited.
The Jefferson House
The Jefferson House is another strong Sunday choice at Nolan's Point. The lakefront venue offers dining, an outdoor patio, drinks, and live entertainment. It is a natural place to spend the afternoon while watching the main-lake action, then continue into the evening's music and party atmosphere.
Both locations put you close to the Sunday course while giving you a place to eat, have a drink, and make a full day of the Grand Prix. Plan ahead, call for current availability, and remember that schedules and conditions can change.
Food, drinks, and live entertainment
The Grand Prix is designed as a complete lake weekend. At Lake Forest Yacht Club, fans can enjoy food and drinks around Saturday's racing and live bands from 4:00 to 10:00 PM. On Sunday, The Windlass and The Jefferson House offer waterfront dining and drinks near the main-lake course, while live bands continue into the evening.
The best plan is to arrive early, choose your viewing location, and build the day around the racing. Eat between race blocks, keep a drink in hand, walk through the team and boat display at Lake Forest Yacht Club, and stay for the music after the boats come off the course.
Can't Make It?
You can still follow the Lake Hopatcong Offshore Grand Prix from wherever you are. OPA Racing has provided official livestreams for both race days.
The broadcast team
If you are watching from home or following along between races, the official OPA Racing broadcast will feature announcers Brad Harrington and Brian "Hopatcong." Special guests are also expected to join the broadcast. Their identities are still being kept secret, so stay tuned for the reveal.
Day One livestream: Saturday, September 19
Watch Lake Hopatcong Offshore GP | Day One, with live coverage of the September 19 Grand Prix. The stream is scheduled to begin at 10:00 AM.
Day Two livestream: Sunday, September 20
Watch Lake Hopatcong Offshore GP | Day Two, covering the September 20 main-lake race day. The stream is scheduled to begin at 10:30 AM.
The best way to watch is still from the lake, surrounded by the boats, crews, music, food, and parties. But if you cannot make it to Lake Hopatcong, the official streams bring the racing to you, with Brad Harrington, Brian "Hopatcong," and special guests to be revealed.
Come for the racing. Stay for the party.
From the Thursday Racer Party to Friday's Welcome Party, from boats and teams on display at Lake Forest Yacht Club to two days of racing, Lake Hopatcong is built for a full weekend out.
Watch the boats at Lake Forest Yacht Club on Saturday. Find your Sunday spot at The Windlass or The Jefferson House. Enjoy the food, drinks, live bands, and awards ceremony. Whether you are standing beside the pits or watching the official stream, this is a weekend to be on the lake.
Coming to the lake? Make the 2026 Lake Hopatcong Offshore Grand Prix your weekend plan.