The 1974 24 Hours of Le Mans was the 42nd Grand Prix of Endurance, and took place on 15 and 16 June 1974. It was the fifth round of the 1974 World Championship for Makes. After Alfa Romeo had won the first race of the season at Monza, it had been Matra all the way and they came to Le Mans as firm favourites for a third consecutive outright victory, especially after Alfa Romeo withdrew its cars just before raceweek.

The 1974 World Sportscar Championship season was the 22nd season of FIA World Sportscar Championship motor racing. It featured the 1974 World Championship for Makes and FIA Cup for GT Cars which were contested concurrently over a ten race series from 25 April to 9 November 1974. The World Championship for Makes, which was open to Group 5 Sports Cars and Group 4 GT Cars, was won by Matra and the FIA Cup for GT Cars by Porsche.