The 2026 NTT INDYCAR schedule has been released, featuring 17 thrilling races across traditional and fresh venues in North America. The season will start with three consecutive weekends packed with action, including new races at Phoenix Raceway and the Streets of Arlington, promising a vibrant and competitive championship for fans and drivers alike.
A Dynamic Season Launch with Consecutive Race Weekends
The upcoming season will open on March 1 at the iconic Streets of St. Petersburg in Florida, marking the 16th time and fifth year in a row the series has launched there. This sun-soaked street circuit remains a fan favorite and a fitting backdrop for the season opener.
Following St. Petersburg, the series moves to Phoenix Raceway for a race on March 7, set to run on the newly reconfigured dogleg layout of the oval. This event will form part of an exciting weekend shared with NASCAR and broadcast by FOX Sports, adding to the overall motorsports celebration. Phoenix hosts INDYCAR racing since 1964 and has seen legendary winners such as A.J. Foyt, Mario Andretti, and Scott Dixon among others.
Just one week later, March 15, drivers will tackle the new 14-turn, 2.73-mile Streets of Arlington for the first INDYCAR Grand Prix of Arlington. This marquee event represents a novel collaboration between INDYCAR, the Dallas Cowboys, and REV Entertainment, combining racing with extensive fan activities to create a must-see experience within Texas’s rapidly growing York Region.
The March calendar concludes with a return to Barber Motorsports Park on March 29, one of the sport’s most picturesque road courses. Known for its technical challenges, Barber brings the season midway through its opening month with its demanding layout and natural terrain.
Continued Excitement Into Spring and Indianapolis Month
April 19 will see the series racing the famous Streets of Long Beach in California for the 42nd time. Known as “the 200 mph beach party,” the Grand Prix of Long Beach is a longstanding tradition popular with fans, who numbered over 200,000 in 2025, reflecting continued enthusiasm for the event.
May ushers in the classic Month of May at Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS), beginning with the road course race on May 9. Following this, attention shifts to the iconic 2.5-mile oval, where qualifying sessions on May 16-17 set the stage for the 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 24, the world‘s largest single-day sporting event.
Summer Racing and Fan-Favorite Venues Create Intense Competition
The post-Memorial Day weekend kickstarts summer with the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix taking place on May 31. Held on a 1.645-mile challenging city street circuit, Detroit’s race has become a highlight due to its dynamic racing and fan appeal, consistently delivering some of the highest on-track passing numbers on a street course.
On June 7, the season moves to World Wide Technology Raceway for the 10th annual Bommarito Automotive Group 500, a highly competitive prime-time night race. The 2025 edition set records for different leaders and passing maneuvers, enhancing the intense wheel-to-wheel action under the lights.
Later in the month, June 21’s race at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, is scheduled to return. This track has gained a reputation for close racing with numerous lead changes, contributing to its status as a beloved stop on the calendar.
The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course will follow on July 5, marking its 42nd year hosting INDYCAR racing. This event enjoys a reputation for festive atmosphere with Fourth of July celebrations as a backdrop.
Prime-Time Oval Racing Boosted by FIFA World Cup Final Lead-In
The Climax of July brings a prime-time oval race backed by the massive viewership of the FIFA World Cup 26™ Final broadcast on FOX. On July 19, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES will restart at Nashville Superspeedway for the Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix. This race will run 400 miles on the 1.33-mile concrete oval, unfolding under the lights for a dramatic spectacle. This event adds a new level of excitement with its late evening finish, combining music, racing, and fan engagement.
Championship Intensity Persists Through August and Into the Season Finale
August brings a busy stretch with four more races. The BITNILE.COM Grand Prix of Portland takes place on August 9 at Portland International Raceway, a favorite Pacific Northwest stop with 32 INDYCAR events behind it. Following this, the series makes its way to Canada on August 16, returning to the newly constructed Streets of Markham in Ontario. This 12-turn, 2.19-mile circuit features modern infrastructure including a double-sided pit lane and high-speed sections, situating it perfectly for challenging, close competition.
Markham’s race marks the 38th year the series has competed in Ontario and the 40th overall race in the province, highlighting INDYCAR’s strong Canadian connection.
The doubleheader at the historic Milwaukee Mile on August 29-30 provides pivotal championship drama. These 250-lap races are known for aggressive racing and hold the record for the most on-track passes at one of the world’s oldest operating speedways.
The season concludes on September 6 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca with the INDYCAR Grand Prix of Monterey. This track is renowned worldwide for its difficult turns, dramatic elevation changes, and the famous Corkscrew corner. Reinvigorated through investments and renovations by Friends of Laguna Seca, a dedicated local non-profit, the venue offers a fitting and challenging end to the championship battle and the awarding of the Astor Challenge Cup.
Committed Broadcast Partnership and Expanding Fan Engagement
For the second year in a row, every one of the 17 races will be televised live on FOX, with additional coverage of the Indianapolis 500 qualifying. The continued partnership with FOX Sports follows a highly successful 2025 season, which recorded a 27% increase in viewership. The average audience of 1.36 million witnessed Alex Palou become the first three-time series champion in 14 years, underscoring the growing prestige and competitiveness of the series.
Our growth is industry-leading and will only accelerate faster as we continue our powerful partnership with FOX Sports and increase investment in our events,
Penske Entertainment Corp. President and CEO Mark Miles said.
The 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES schedule provides a dynamic showcase for our sport and its stars, blending fan-favorite race weekends with incredible showcases at exciting new venues. We cannot wait for 2026.
The INDYCAR Radio Network will broadcast all sessions live via SiriusXM Channel 218 and the INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA, ensuring fans can follow the full intensity of the season even on the go.
Schedule Design Balances Variety and Challenge for Drivers
The 2026 slate balances road courses, ovals, and street circuits evenly, demanding adaptability from teams and drivers competing for the championship. This diverse lineup is designed to reveal the most complete and skilled driver over the season’s course.
Once again INDYCAR will have the most challenging schedule in all of motorsports with its nearly even mix of ovals, road courses and street circuits,
INDYCAR President J. Douglas Boles said.
This championship format and diverse schedule test driver and team adaptability and truly celebrate the most complete driver and team at the end of the season.
Start times for races will be announced later. The schedule for INDY NXT by Firestone, the developmental series of INDYCAR, is expected to be revealed soon, promising fresh talent for the future.
