Reviewing Rolex 24 General Admission: Why This Race is Worth the Price of Admission

What You Actually Get With a GA Ticket (And What You Pay) 

Josh and Chris purchased four-day GA passes which meant access to everything happening from Thursday through Sunday.  Sure, there are options for fewer days, but they opted for the complete experience to really settle into the track and make the most of the long weekend. 

A General Admission ticket for the Rolex 24 includes way more benefits than you might expect from its name, including access to: 

• Every grandstand including the main straight and grandstands situated around the track such as along the International Horseshoe (excluding club and suite seating)
• Fan zones and merchandise areas
• Driver appearances and autograph sessions
• IMSA garages, with viewing windows and the ability to get close by while teams work
• A viewing deck above the garages
• Entry to the ROAR Before the Rolex 24, the three-day event the weekend prior

The garage access and driver appearances are what truly sets the Rolex 24 apart. Thanks to IMSA’s open-paddock model, GA ticket holders can walk through the garages, observe crews at work, and get remarkably close to the cars and drivers.

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Driver autograph sessions give fans face-to-face interaction with top drivers from Formula 1, IndyCar, NASCAR, and more. All you need to do is wait in a modest line. You can actually meet your heroes, something you wait hours for just standing in a crowd at a fan stage (if you can even do it at all) with Formula 1.

And because you have access to move about the grandstands, you can choose your own adventure for each session. “You’re not confined,” Josh explains. “You can watch from the 300 level for the start, then move to the infield at night. It’s multiple perspectives of the same race.” Come race day, you can even walk around the garage area at 4AM if you wanted to.

At roughly $160 for four days, Josh considers the experience a steal compared to premium seating at other events, especially with the limited limitations. Look no further than the average cost of a Formula 1 GA ticket, which hovers around $500. With more racing and access, the value of what the Rolex 24 offers is hard to ignore. 

Even merchandise felt reasonable. Josh spent about $75 on a limited-edition hat and an AO Racing shirt, prices he noted were far more approachable than typical F1 merchandise. Team gear is primarily sold in the fan entertainment zone behind the paddock, while Rolex 24-branded items are available in the grandstands and main merch store near the garages, making it easy to browse between sessions.

And for fans who choose not to cook every meal back at camp, food options are plentiful throughout the speedway. From pizza and burgers to beer stands and grab-and-go snacks. While Josh preferred cooking this year to cut costs, the convenience of trackside vendors makes GA accessible even for those flying in for the weekend.

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Viewing Experience: Freedom Over Formality

GA shines when it comes to perspective because the possibilities are nearly endless. The best viewing spots in Josh’s opinion include: 

• The main straight (especially the 300 level for the start) 
• Infield corners
• Two grandstands on the International Horseshoe
• Small grandstands scattered throughout the back straight

You can rotate throughout the races: starting high for panoramic views, moving lower to get closer to the action, catching night racing from the infield, and wandering during cautions. And with 24 hours on track, there’s a lot of memorable moments to hunt down.

One such lucky moment for Josh was when he sat himself near turn 1 near the end of the race. With just two laps to go, a Mercedes and Aston Martin in the GTD class almost collided when the Aston Martin attempted to take the outside line. The Mercedes driver used "NASCAR-like tricks," as Josh put it, to try and slow the Aston Martin by bumping it, backfiring and sending both cars sideways down the start/finish straight, which is the fastest section of the track. Luckily, both drivers saved their cars from crashing.

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Where Rolex 24 GA Comes Up Short 

GA isn’t perfect. Although there’s flexibility, there are drawbacks:

• No reserved seating, you must arrive early for prime spots 
• No VIP club access or amenities
• Popular areas fill quickly on race day
• You’ll wait for shuttles and even facilities at peak times 

But even with the added stress, Josh admitted that a little extra planning and time spent waiting in lines are far outweighed by all the access and the amazing views. Having his campsite within walking distance and never being in a rush also helps.

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So, is GA for the Rolex 24 Worth It? 

For Josh, the answer is clear. General admission offers a rare level of cost and access that are tipped in race fans’ favor, especially at an event as expansive as the Rolex 24. Whether you’re a first time visitor or the purveyor of your own annual tradition, GA delivers immersion without an exclusive price tag. 

It’s flexible, social, and if you do it right, it feels less like attending a race and more like living inside of one for one, two, or four days. 

Want to know more about this race? Make sure to check out all our Rolex 24 guides and ticket options!