16 February 2026 10:30 (UTC)
"A family-friendly fan event as we get ready for the first race of the season"
McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team and global sports company PUMA will be inviting fans to get closer to the action from Thursday, 5 March until Monday, 9 March, with Ignition Beach St Kilda - an accessible fan experience on Melbourne's iconic foreshore - as the city prepares for the opening race weekend of the 2026 Formula 1 season. Mastercard will also serve as the Official Event Partner, offering priceless surprises and experiences throughout the activation.
Located at the West Beach Pavilion, Ignition Beach marks a major moment in McLaren Racing and PUMA’s shared commitment to showing up where fans are, bringing the excitement of race week to one of Melbourne’s most iconic coastal locations. Just a 15‑minute walk from the track, the experience is designed for both long‑standing supporters and newcomers who want to soak up the exhilaration of race week.
Ignition Beach will feature a full McLaren Racing experience zone, where visitors can explore the latest PUMA x McLaren Racing replica kit and fan wear. Fans will be able to get up close to the MCL40 show car, and thanks to McLaren Racing partner Logitech G, visitors can also test their skills on racing simulators.
As the Official Event Partner, Mastercard will offer fans a range of Priceless Experiences on site, including access to a dedicated Priceless lounge within the hospitality zone and a special photo opportunity with the 2025 Constructors’ Championship trophy, giving fans a rare chance to get closer to McLaren Racing history.
Across the six days, fans can enjoy large‑screen coverage of practice, qualifying and the race, while enjoying refreshments, explore the papaya‑themed deck and take part in family‑friendly activities throughout the week.
The hospitality zone will offer fans a relaxed space to enjoy the action, with limited tables available to book and a number reserved for walk‑ins. Mastercard will provide cardholders with exclusive early access to hospitality table bookings through a dedicated pre‑sale window on priceless.com, giving fans the chance to secure their place at Ignition Beach St Kilda ahead of general availability.
The experience will be open daily from 10:00 to 23:00 with surprise appearances throughout.
"We are committed to bringing fans closer to the team and offering immersive experiences away from track, so I’m absolutely thrilled to add Ignition Beach St Kilda to the roster of free events we’ve been offering around the globe, including last year’s McLaren Racing Live experiences in London and Austin. It’s fantastic to partner with PUMA and Mastercard to create a family-friendly fan event as we get ready for the first race of the season."
"Melbourne is where the season’s energy truly comes to life, and with Ignition Beach we wanted to create a space that brings fans right into the heart of it. Together with McLaren Racing, we’re turning one of the city’s most iconic beach locations into a vibrant, open-to-all experience where people can connect with the team, discover the latest PUMA x McLaren gear, and feel the excitement of race week up close."
