INDYCAR has released the 2026 INDY NXT schedule featuring 17 races, marking the highest number for the series since 2021. This developmental series, focused on preparing drivers and team personnel for the demands of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, will include a record-tying four races in March and three new doubleheader weekends aimed at intensifying competition and skill growth.
The 2026 INDY NXT schedule unfolds across a diverse collection of oval, road course, and street circuit events, culminating in a season finale at the celebrated WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. This lineup aims to build further momentum following an already impressive 2025 season.
Expanded Broadcast Coverage and the Arlington Debut Highlight the Season
FOX Sports will broadcast all 17 races, extending its coverage from the previous season and providing live television coverage for every event, including practice and qualifying sessions. The partnership between INDYCAR and FOX Sports, strengthened in 2025, resulted in viewership more than quintupling, a trend expected to continue in 2026.
A marquee addition to the schedule is the inaugural INDYCAR Grand Prix of Arlington on March 15, held on the new 14-turn, 2.73-mile Streets of Arlington circuit. This event, co-hosted by INDYCAR, the Dallas Cowboys, and REV Entertainment, partners with the Texas Rangers for a unique weekend combining multiple championship series into one festival-like experience.
Five Doubleheader Weekends Bring Added Intensity to the Season
The 2026 calendar features five doubleheader weekends, including established events at Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s road course and Laguna Seca. New doubleheaders at Barber Motorsports Park, Road America, and Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course add renewed excitement and challenge to the race season.
The season’s opener on March 1 takes place on the famed Streets of St. Petersburg for the 16th time, beginning what promises to be a tightly contested championship battle. Oval races at World Wide Technology Raceway, Nashville Superspeedway, and Milwaukee Mile return, sites known for their record-breaking number of on-track passes during the 2025 season.
Notable Growth and Strong Crossover with NTT INDYCAR SERIES
Since INDYCAR assumed operational control of the development series in 2023, INDY NXT has experienced significant growth, achieving the largest fields in over a decade with an average of more than 19 starters per race. The crossover impact is evident, as five of the seven winners in the 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season emerged from INDY NXT, and 20 drivers with INDY NXT experience competed in the 109th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge.
Statements from Leadership on the Upcoming Season
“Like with the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, the 2026 INDY NXT by Firestone season begins with supercharged action in March and only grows more intense from there,”
stated Mark Miles, Penske Entertainment Corp. President and CEO.
“Additional doubleheaders at fan-favorite events will add to the challenge of winning a season championship, which again will be celebrated at iconic WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.”
“Combined with the exceptional showcase of another full season of races on FS1 and FS2, we again look forward to seeing the young stars of INDY NXT challenge for the title and advancing to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.”
Broadcast and Streaming Details for Global Viewers
FOX Sports will determine network assignments and specific broadcast times for the 2026 INDY NXT events closer to the start of the season. For international audiences, INDYCAR LIVE will continue streaming all races, including every practice and qualifying session, ensuring global access to the full schedule.
Full 2026 INDY NXT by Firestone Race Schedule
1. Sunday, March 1 – Streets of St. Petersburg
2. Sunday, March 15 – Streets of Arlington
3. Saturday, March 28 – Barber Motorsports Park Race 1
4. Sunday, March 29 – Barber Motorsports Park Race 2
5. Friday, May 8 – Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course Race 1
6. Saturday, May 9 – Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course Race 2
7. Sunday, May 31 – Streets of Detroit
8. Sunday, June 7 – World Wide Technology Raceway
9. Saturday, June 20 – Road America Race 1
10. Sunday, June 21 – Road America Race 2
11. Saturday, July 4 – Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Race 1
12. Sunday, July 5 – Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Race 2
13. Sunday, July 19 – Nashville Superspeedway
14. Sunday, August 9 – Portland International Raceway
15. Sunday, August 30 – Milwaukee Mile
16. Saturday, September 5 – WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Race 1
17. Sunday, September 6 – WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Race 2
Anticipating the Growth and Future of INDY NXT
The 2026 INDY NXT schedule offers a rigorous platform designed to develop the next generation of top INDYCAR drivers by featuring a variety of racing environments and heightened competition through multiple doubleheaders and new events. With comprehensive television and streaming coverage, fans worldwide will witness this critical step for drivers and teams aspiring to reach the pinnacle of American open-wheel racing. The inclusion of high-profile partnerships and historic venues underscores the growing significance of INDY NXT on the motorsports landscape.
