Do I need Grandstand tickets?

[AlunR]

Hi All

Last time I travelled to Le Mans in 2019 we managed to survive quite successfully without Grandstand tickets. I was told recently though that they’ve reduced the areas you can view from a fair bit and that a Grandstand ticket is not essential but certainly recommended

What’s the general consensus? In the past I’ve found space near Dunlop bridge, Tetre Rouge and Chappellle without too much bother?

[FredericRobinson]

You’ll be fine, there’s a new grandstand just after the Dunlop bridge but otherwise the viewing areas haven’t changed much.

What has changed since 2019 is the size of the crowds, you’ll need to be earlier now to get a good spot and moving around is more difficult

[gt6]

Yes the amount of people has certainly increased but viewing areas are mostly the same. grandstand seats are are essential but if you do not have them yet you are unlikely to get then now

[Jordie Barretts sock]

Well, not sat together, but there's quote a few up for grabs on the resale thread here.

[Rhino678]

Been going for 40 years, minus the covid years. Never had a grandstand ticket. Watch from all round the circuit so never wanted one. You can always sit in them Wednesday and Thursday for free.

[Vsix and Vtec]

Need? No. The circuit is large, and folding chairs are cheap. Want? That's a different thing. My partner and I like to use T15 or T16, as it's a handy base to operate from, somewhere covered and always available if the weather turns bad. It's also close to the food and drink stalls, plus being opposite the garages gives you a front row seat on all the pitlane drama. It's worth noting however, that there is free access on the steps and hard standing in front of all grandstands, so if you're early (or really late at night) you can be quite literally inches away from the track for free. You do NOT have to pay extra to be in the best place at Le Mans.

[Truckosaurus]

Grandstand seats are good if you are a big group, then you can just come and go and be fairly certain someone will be hanging out in the stand.

Also you can roll up half an hour before the start, just in time to hear the anthems and flag waving.

[Alex_227]

My first year was '22, and went last year as well.

I had a T4 GS for '22 and felt like a dummy buying it. Given the orientation and location of my seat, the sun wasn't blocked for the start nor the finish(moved to a free seat above for that one). There were people in front of the GS with a lower, yet closer, so overall, better view. I rolled up early anyway. You could stroll around other GS's after nightfall and in the morning. We spent the 24 hrs going around the track anyway.

Come '23, and everything changed. We came early, yet, the crowd was enormous. 5 hours of waiting in a jam of people. The first row of chairs never left. There was security at all GS's all night long. It rained heavily at one point. Strolled around the track at night and in the morning, came back for the finish which was again jam packed.

So for this year, I got one at T14. The plan is to use them for start and finish, inclement weather and on occasion. It's a good base near the expo parking where we plan to doze off for a few hours in the car. Having a guaranteed seat means we can sleep late, come rested and rock up closer to start time.

[ellroy]

We’ve done 1 year without seats.

The weather was good which helped but the start finish were so rammed almost impossible to see anything.

In general though if the weather is crap/roasting a nice bit of cover is welcome. We’d not do without again.

[Koen_Chevy]

We never do grandstand tickets, I like to move around. Sure it is nice to get out of the wheater, but that is no reason to get grandstand tickets.

For me the biggest argumend to get grandstand tickets would be to be able to show up half an hour before the race.

[davidd]

We didn't have them for a few years but for the last 10 or so have had seats in Dunlop. As others say, you can get to stand 30 mins before the start and know you are going to get a decent seat with a view, same at the end. They are also a great base for the group (12 of us) to come and go.

[Aysedasi2]

I've had a grandstand seat for the last 20 years +. I'm older now and this year health is not quite what it was, so the seat is pretty essential for me.

Mention was made of GS seats on the resale site, but I've seen none other than the T03bis package. Probably because the ACO haven't enabled the resale of joint entry/GS tickets.

[Chrisgr31]

We never had grandstand seats but then got bored of having to swelter in the heat to keep our bagged spot in the general enclosure. Then got various grandstand seats, used for start and end and bits in the middle but also able to move around the general enclosure area during the race.

Last year booked too late for grandstand seats and it was a nightmare, so crowded trackside at the start, even though we thought we were early. Couldn’t move, sweltering etc. Actually watched the end from the big screen on the camp site!

So back in a grandstand this year.

[Red9zero]

ellroy said:

We’ve done 1 year without seats.

The weather was good which helped but the start finish were so rammed almost impossible to see anything.

In general though if the weather is crap/roasting a nice bit of cover is welcome. We’d not do without again.

Same here. No grandstand last year and it was horrible. We found a good spot, but it was in the sun and you daren't move as you`d lose your place. It is nice having a guaranteed place to watch the start and finish and also to go for a wander and know you can still go back to your seat.

[Max M4X WW]

I used to get them, but these days don't. If money was no object, I would, but I usually end up just using it for the start and not a lot else.

[Ben Jk]

Worth it for Start/Finish alone IMO.

Great at night too watching pit action.

We are always in T19

[GreatDaneAlSimon]

Rhino678 said:

Been going for 40 years, minus the covid years. Never had a grandstand ticket. Watch from all round the circuit so never wanted one. You can always sit in them Wednesday and Thursday for free.

Hi mate

Going for the first time this year. Is it possible to get to the Mulsanne straight during the race?
Do you have any great tips for an two endurance freaks?

[delta0]

GreatDaneAlSimon said:

Hi mate

Going for the first time this year. Is it possible to get to the Mulsanne straight during the race?
Do you have any great tips for a two endurance freaks?

Mulsanne straight is off limits. However you can go to Tetre Rouge corner to see the cars starting it or head over to Mulsanne corner (use the shuttle bus) to see the end of the straight.

[StoutBench]

I'd say no you don't need them. We bought them for my first time last year when the consensus on PH was that we'd be missing out without grandstands. Think we spent the first hour in them and then spent the whole time walking round and watching from other points. A waste of money tbh, I wouldn't again.

Race was incredible though, loved it. Enjoy!

[SimoN138]

Ben Jk said:

Worth it for Start/Finish alone IMO.

Great at night too watching pit action.

We are always in T19

also use T19 for start/end/small hours and if the sun gets too much ... but as can be seen above opinion is very divided!

the 'rock up 30 mins before start' argument is very strong though, imo