Despite the volatile weather conditions, the event drew thousands of car enthusiasts to the seaside resort. The largest visitor impact occurred on Sunday with 77,566 visitors, while the strongest percentage increase compared to the reference period was recorded on Saturday with a 77.5% rise.
For the first time, visitor numbers were measured separately in the different event zones: The Gallery, The Marquee, 4x4 Village, and Green Grounds. Consequently, the figures are not directly comparable to last year's, when measurements covered the entire tourist zone of Knokke-Heist. Visitor figures for the full tourist zone are expected in early November, allowing for a one-to-one comparison with the 2025 edition. Currently, comparisons are only made against a reference period without events.
The zone around The Gallery, in particular, saw the most significant growth with over 168,300 visitors registered over the five event days. On Saturday, visitor numbers were 136% higher than during the reference day, while Sunday recorded a 127% increase. The largest peaks occurred between 3 PM and 4 PM on both Saturday and Sunday. The zones around The Marquee and Green Grounds also experienced strong growth, with visitor numbers doubling compared to the reference weekend. The 4x4 Village zone showed a more moderate, yet clear, increase of 35.34%.
A remarkable 93% of visitors came from Belgium, primarily from Knokke-Heist, Bruges, Antwerp, and Ghent. National visitors accounted for nearly half of all attendees (49%). International visitors made up 7% of the total, with representation from the Netherlands, Germany, France, Luxembourg, and the United Kingdom.
Although hotel occupancy rates and economic impact measurements for the 2026 edition are not yet available, previous editions indicate that the Zoute Grand Prix creates significant added value for the local economy, hospitality, retail, and accommodation sectors. Additional figures on stay impact, spending, and visitor flows in the entire tourist zone will be released later.
Despite the less favorable weather conditions, the Zoute Grand Prix Car Week once again confirms its status as one of Knokke-Heist's most important public events. The strong visitor growth, the appeal of the various event zones, and the proportion of international visitors demonstrate that the event attracts a broad and quality audience, contributing to Knokke-Heist's premium image and boosting economic activity in the autumn.
