Can You Attend Pebble Beach Concours and The Quail in 2026?
Yes, you can get in, but Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and The Quail require different strategies. The Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance sells general admission tickets to the public, and while they sell out, a patient buyer who moves early will get one. The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering is harder: it is a capped, ticketed event with a history of selling out within hours of release, and the release window is not published in advance. Join the Pebble Beach Automotive Week mailing list now, watch for the ticket announcement, and apply as soon as the window opens, because availability can disappear in a single morning.
What You Actually Get at Pebble Beach and The Quail
The Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance takes place on the 18th fairway of Pebble Beach Golf Links, overlooking Stillwater Cove and Carmel Bay. Expect pre-war Bugattis, coachbuilt Alfa Romeos, and postwar Ferrari competition cars arranged on the grass with the Pacific behind them. The show field opens to spectators at 5:30 am; the Awards Ceremony runs 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm.1 General admission gets you onto the show field. Reserved seating and hospitality packages are the better buy if you care about proximity to the awards stage and, in some tiers, catered food and beverage service.
The Quail operates differently. Scheduled for August 14, 2026, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm,2 it is held the Friday before the Concours Sunday. The format is part car show, part food and wine festival: roughly 200 vehicles displayed on the golf course at Quail Lodge in Carmel,3 while attendees move among food stations from regional chefs and wine and spirits pours. Choose The Quail if you want smaller crowds, closer access to the cars, and a pace that allows real conversation with owners and exhibitors. For collectors and serious enthusiasts, The Quail is often the preferred day of the week because the ratio of cars to people is more favorable.
Pebble Beach Automotive Week runs across multiple days in August, with additional events including the Pebble Beach Tour d'Elegance, the Pebble Beach RetroAuto, and various manufacturer and collector previews. Attending both the Concours and The Quail means planning for at least a long weekend. Book accommodation on the Monterey Peninsula well in advance, since Carmel, Monterey, and Pacific Grove properties fill months out during Automotive Week.
Why Quail Tickets Disappear and Concours Seats Sell Out
The Concours d'Elegance draws entrants and spectators from across Europe, Japan, and the Americas. The show field is finite, it is a golf fairway, not a convention center, and demand from both domestic and international attendees has grown steadily. General admission tickets do sell out, though the timeline varies year to year. Premium hospitality packages and reserved seating sell faster than general admission, so book those first if seating or food service matters to you.
The Quail's access problem is more acute. The event is deliberately kept small to preserve the atmosphere that makes it worth attending. Tickets are sold via lottery and typically become available early in the year.3 The lottery is open to subscribers of the Quail Lodge events newsletter.4 When tickets go on sale, the combination of a loyal returning audience, collector networks, and general enthusiast demand means availability can disappear in a single morning. A waitlist exists if tickets are sold out,4 though it does not reliably convert to a ticket. Secondary market prices for The Quail reflect the scarcity.
Both events sit inside a week when the Monterey Peninsula is at its most congested. Hotel rooms, rental cars, and restaurant reservations all tighten at once, so the access problem is not just the ticket. It is the full logistics stack around it.
When Pebble Beach and Quail Tickets Go on Sale
The Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance is a Pebble Beach Company event, while The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering is run by The Peninsula Hotels through Peninsula Signature Events at Quail Lodge & Golf Club. The 2026 release dates and drop times have not been publicly announced. The organizers do not appear to maintain a fixed annual release calendar that is publicly documented.
The most reliable way to know when tickets go on sale is to register directly with the Pebble Beach Automotive Week mailing list and follow the official Pebble Beach Concours and The Quail social channels. Confirm the release schedule directly with the venue before planning around any specific date, because a wrong assumption about the drop window costs you the ticket. Digital tickets for the Concours are emailed beginning in mid-July, about four weeks prior to the event,5 so expect confirmation close to show week rather than at purchase.
Where to Buy Pebble Beach and Quail Tickets
Tickets for the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance are sold through the official Concours ticket store. The Quail tickets can be purchased via the event's website,2 with the lottery open to newsletter subscribers. Both are direct-purchase, with no Resy or Tock mechanic, no concierge allocation, and no card-program table. You buy directly or you do not buy at face price.
General admission tickets for the Concours include entrance into Pebble Beach, parking, and shuttle services to the show field.5 A separate shuttle from Carmel Plaza is also available: that service costs $40 per person.6 All ticket sales are final; tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable.1 Verify seller legitimacy carefully before purchasing secondhand, and confirm current transfer policies directly with the organizers.
Manufacturer hospitality is a parallel channel worth knowing. Several automakers and coachbuilders host private events, dinners, and preview viewings during Automotive Week that are invitation-based or accessible through brand ownership programs. If you own or are considering purchasing a vehicle from a marque with a strong Concours presence, Ferrari, Porsche, Bentley, Mercedes-Benz Classic, contact the brand's owner experience or events team well before August. These invitations do not substitute for a Concours or Quail ticket, but they add access layers that general admission does not provide.
Booking Strategy to Improve Your 2026 Odds
The single most effective action is joining the official mailing lists for both events now, before the 2026 announcement cycle begins. Entrance into The Quail lottery is available to subscribers of the Quail Lodge events newsletter,4 so being on the list is the closest thing to a reliable early-access route available to a general buyer.
For The Quail specifically, enter the lottery as soon as the application window opens. The release time is not published in advance based on available information, so confirm with the organizers as the date approaches.
On accommodation: book your Carmel or Monterey lodging before you have your tickets, not after. Properties within driving distance of Pebble Beach and Quail Lodge fill during Automotive Week, and waiting until you have confirmed tickets means paying a premium or staying far from the action. The Carmel Valley Ranch and Quail Lodge itself are the closest options to The Quail venue; the Lodge at Pebble Beach puts you on the Concours grounds. All three require booking months in advance for Automotive Week dates.
If you are attending primarily for the cars rather than the social circuit, Concours general admission on Sunday morning, before the crowds peak and while judging is still active, is the highest-value window. Seating on the competition field is limited and first-come; spectators may bring a small low chair, with a seat no more than 6 inches off the ground, or a blanket.5 Arrive early: the show field is most accessible in the first two hours after the 5:30 am gate opening,1 before crowds build toward the afternoon ceremony.
Mistakes That Cost People Access
- Waiting for a confirmed release date before getting on the mailing list. The announcement cycle for both events moves faster than most people expect. By the time a release date is widely reported, early-access windows may already be closing.
- Booking accommodation after securing tickets. Automotive Week hotel inventory moves independently of ticket sales. Waiting means paying significantly more or commuting from Salinas.
- Assuming The Quail waitlist converts reliably. A waitlist exists,4 but plan as if the primary sale is your only realistic face-price opportunity.
- Conflating the two events' logistics. The Concours is Sunday; The Quail is Friday. They are at different venues, roughly 15 minutes apart by car. Attendees who plan for one day and discover they want both often find accommodation and transport already locked up.
Cost Breakdown Across the Access Timeline
Starting August 1, 2026, general admission to the Concours increases to $650.1 Buying before that date saves money; confirm current pre-August pricing directly with the organizers. The Quail's 2026 ticket price is not yet published at time of writing, so confirm directly with the event. For context, The Quail's 2016 admission was $600,4 and pricing has not moved downward since. The full cost stack for attending both events includes Concours admission, a separate Quail ticket, accommodation for a minimum of two nights during peak Automotive Week pricing, and transport or parking. Manufacturer hospitality events, if accessible, are typically complimentary for qualifying owners but may require registration. Secondary market tickets for The Quail carry premiums that can be substantial, so confirm current face prices with the organizers before evaluating any resale offer.
Who Should Make the Trip
The Concours is worth the effort if pre-war and postwar coachbuilt cars are your actual interest, not just a backdrop for a social weekend. The show field at its best is a concentration of vehicles that rarely appear in the same place: Concours-quality restorations and survivors that spend most of their lives in private collections. If your interest runs more to modern performance cars or the social circuit, the week has plenty of manufacturer events and parties that do not require a Concours ticket.
The Quail is the better choice if you want closer access to the cars and a more manageable crowd. It is also the better choice if you are attending with a partner or guest who is interested in food and wine alongside the automotive content, because the format integrates both more naturally than the Concours does.
Both events together make sense for serious collectors, automotive journalists, and anyone for whom the Monterey Peninsula in August is an annual pilgrimage. For a first-time visitor deciding between the two, The Quail's format is more immediately accessible and social; the Concours is the more historically significant event. Children under 12 are admitted to the Concours at no charge when accompanied by a paying adult,1 which makes it the more practical choice for families. Children 12 and older require a ticket.5
Pebble Beach Automotive Week Event Comparison
| Event | Day / Date (2026) | Venue | Ticket Availability | Format | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance | Sunday; gates open 5:30 am | Pebble Beach Golf Links (18th fairway) | Public sale; sells out, but general admission typically available if purchased early. Price rises to $650 after August 1, 2026. | Judged concours, awards ceremony 1:30 to 5:00 pm, reserved seating tiers | Pre-war and coachbuilt car enthusiasts; families (under-12s free) |
| The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering | Friday, August 14, 2026; 9:00 am, 4:00 pm | Quail Lodge and Golf Club, Carmel Valley | Lottery only; open to Quail Lodge newsletter subscribers. Historically sells out within hours. Waitlist exists but does not reliably convert. | ~200 vehicles on the golf course; food and wine stations; social, smaller crowds | Collectors and enthusiasts who want car access; guests interested in food and wine alongside cars |
| Pebble Beach Tour d'Elegance | Thursday | Public roads, Monterey Peninsula | Free to watch roadside; vehicle entry by invitation only | Road rally through the peninsula; spectator-friendly | Anyone wanting a free, accessible Automotive Week experience |
| Pebble Beach RetroAuto | Multi-day | Pebble Beach | Separate ticketed marketplace | Automobilia, parts, and memorabilia market | Collectors looking to buy or sell automotive objects |
If You Miss The Quail, Do This Instead
The Concours on the Avenue, Carmel-by-the-Sea. A free, public concours held on Ocean Avenue in Carmel during Automotive Week. The quality of entrants is high, the access is immediate, and it costs nothing. It is not a substitute for The Quail's format, but it is a strong standalone event for anyone who misses the ticketed options.
Manufacturer preview events. Ferrari, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz Classic, and others host private viewings and dinners during the week. Access is through brand ownership or a dealer relationship. These often provide closer access to significant vehicles than general admission at either ticketed event.
Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance (Florida, March). The closest American equivalent to Pebble Beach in terms of field quality and prestige. Tickets are more accessible, the venue is less congested, and the event has a strong following among serious collectors. It is a realistic alternative for anyone who finds Automotive Week logistics prohibitive.
Goodwood Revival (West Sussex, UK, September). A different format, period dress, racing, and a concours component, but the concentration of significant vehicles and the access to owners and collectors is comparable to the best of Pebble Beach week. It requires transatlantic travel, but for collectors already tracking European events, it is the natural pairing.
Final Verdict: Is Pebble Beach Automotive Week Worth the Chase?
For anyone with a real interest in collector cars, yes, but the two events require separate decisions. The Concours d'Elegance is achievable with early action: subscribe to the Quail Lodge events newsletter4 and the Pebble Beach mailing list now, buy tickets when they go on sale, and book accommodation before you have confirmed tickets. The Quail is harder. The capped format and fast-moving lottery mean that missing the release window leaves you with secondary market prices or no ticket at all. The newsletter subscription is your best practical route in; there is no concierge allocation, no card-program table, and no waitlist that reliably converts.
If you are deciding between the two for a first visit, The Quail's format, smaller crowds, closer car access, and food and wine integrated into the day make it more immediately rewarding for most attendees. The Concours is the historically significant event, and the setting on the 18th fairway is rare in North America, but it is also the more crowded and logistically demanding day.
The Tour d'Elegance on Thursday is free, public, and worth your time if you are already on the peninsula. Watching the field roll through Carmel costs nothing and delivers a version of the week that most visitors overlook. For the serious collector, the full week is the point; for everyone else, pick one ticketed event, plan the logistics early, and fill the rest of the calendar with the free events that surround it. The access problem here is real, but it is solvable for anyone who plans ahead rather than reacts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance do Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance tickets go on sale?
The 2026 release timeline has not been published. The most reliable approach is to join the official Pebble Beach Automotive Week mailing list and follow the event's official channels. Confirm the sale date directly with the organizers as August approaches rather than planning around an assumed window. For ticket support, call 831-372-8026.1
Can you walk into The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering at Quail Lodge without a ticket?
No. The Quail is a ticketed, capped event and does not offer walk-up admission. Tickets must be purchased in advance through the official lottery sale, which is open to subscribers of the Quail Lodge events newsletter. Once the primary sale closes, the only remaining options are the secondary market, at a premium, or manufacturer hospitality invitations, which are not a substitute for a general ticket.
Does The Quail Motorsports Gathering have a waitlist for sold-out tickets?
A waitlist exists for The Quail if tickets are sold out.4 However, based on available information, it does not reliably convert to a ticket. Plan as if the primary lottery sale is your only face-price opportunity, and do not count on the waitlist as a fallback strategy.
What is the best free event during Pebble Beach Automotive Week 2026?
The Concours on the Avenue in Carmel-by-the-Sea is free, public, and held on Ocean Avenue during Automotive Week. The quality of entrants is high and access to the cars is immediate. The Pebble Beach Tour d'Elegance on Thursday is also free to watch roadside as the field drives through the Monterey Peninsula, both are worth building into your schedule regardless of which ticketed events you attend.
Do you need separate tickets for the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and The Quail 2026?
Yes. The Concours d'Elegance and The Quail are separate events with separate ticketing. The Quail runs Friday, August 14, 2026;2 the Concours is Sunday. They are held at different venues. Purchasing one does not grant access to the other. Budget and plan for both independently if you intend to attend the full week.
