Arizona Car Week Kicking Off
Arizona Car Week 2026 opens in the most refined way possible: with the Arizona Concours d’Elegance on Sunday, January 18, 2026, on the manicured lawns of the Scottsdale Civic Center. Positioned as the week’s signature opening event, the Concours sets the tone for eight days of auctions, driving tours, and high‑end automotive experiences across the greater Scottsdale and Phoenix area.
For collectors, market watchers, and enthusiasts, the Arizona Concours has quickly become an anchor event – part rolling art gallery, part cultural happening, and part bellwether for where the collector car world is headed each new year.
Sculpture in Motion at Scottsdale Civic Center
For 2026, the Arizona Concours returns with the theme “Sculpture in Motion,” presenting about 100 carefully curated automobiles as kinetic works of art. Set on the parklike lawns of the newly renovated Scottsdale Civic Center, the setting blends modern urban landscaping with a garden‑party atmosphere right in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale.
The venue gives the event a distinctive urban‑resort character: walking paths, public art, and surrounding galleries frame rows of classics, sports cars, and racing icons, all within steps of Scottsdale’s restaurants and nightlife. For out‑of‑town visitors, that central location makes the Concours an easy hub around which to plan the rest of Arizona Car Week.
Classes, Feature Themes, and Judging Excellence
The eighth edition of the Arizona Concours d’Elegance will showcase a wide range of judged classes, from pre‑war greats to modern supercars. Special 2026 classes include a celebration of the 140th anniversary of Mercedes‑Benz, a class for dune buggies and beach cruisers, a 125 years of Indian motorcycles tribute, mid‑century station wagons, post‑war European sports and racing cars, and exotic supercars built from 2000–2025.
Each vehicle on the field is invited and vetted, with entries coming from leading collections across the United States, Canada, Europe, and South America. A team of experienced judges from multiple countries applies strict concours standards as cars compete for class awards and the coveted Best of Show trophy – a distinction that can meaningfully enhance a car’s visibility and long‑term provenance.
Tickets, Schedule, and What to Expect on January 18
The 2026 Arizona Concours runs during the day on Sunday, January 18, with gates opening at 9:00 AM and awards presentations scheduled in the afternoon on the main stage at Scottsdale Civic Center. Concours Plus early‑access options typically allow dedicated enthusiasts to get on the field earlier for unobstructed photography and closer conversations with owners and restorers.
Tickets are available through ArizonaConcours.org and Scottsdale Arts, with general admission and upgraded experiences, plus discounted pricing for students; children under a certain age are often admitted free with an adult. Attendance is intentionally capped to preserve an intimate feel on the lawns, giving spectators space to study details, hear engines start, and talk directly with owners about restorations and histories.
Philanthropy, Community, and the Start of Arizona Car Week
Beyond the metal and the manicured grass, the Arizona Concours is structured as a non‑profit event that benefits Make‑A‑Wish Arizona, local artists, and the broader arts community through its partnership with Scottsdale Arts. The organizers not only raise funds but also involve Make‑A‑Wish children in the experience, inviting them to participate in judging and present a special award to their favorite vehicle.
Crucially for market‑focused readers, the Concours functions as the formal opening of Arizona Car Week 2026, which then rolls into a packed schedule of auctions from Barrett‑Jackson, RM Sotheby’s, and Bonhams along with other great automotive events across the Valley. Many consignors, bidders, and analysts use the Concours as both a networking ground and an early read on themes that may influence the week’s bidding – whether renewed enthusiasm for certain eras, rising interest in youngtimer supercars, or fresh attention on overlooked segments like wagons and beach cars.