The NASCAR Cup Series 2026 schedule has been officially disclosed, featuring 38 races, including 36 points races and two non-points events. The season will commence with the Clash on February 1, 2026, followed by the Daytona 500 scheduled for February 15. The season will conclude with the championship race at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 8, 2026. This schedule reflects several notable changes intended to refresh the racing calendar and venues.
Significant Venue Changes and New Race Sites
The 2026 schedule sees important shifts in location, as NASCAR will not return to Mexico City or the Chicago Street Course. Instead, a new street circuit will be introduced at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego, marking a fresh addition to the calendar. Drivers will also make a return to Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, Illinois, after a six-year absence, though NASCAR has yet to officially confirm this venue’s inclusion.
Other notable venue changes include the introduction of the All-Star Race at Dover Speedway, relocating from North Wilkesboro Speedway, which hosted the race for the past three seasons. Additionally, Iowa Speedway, previously in question, remains on the calendar with its race set for Sunday, August 9.
Adjustments to Race Dates and Playoff Scheduling
Several race dates have been realigned for 2026. The Watkins Glen event will shift from its traditional August slot to Mother’s Day weekend in May, while New Hampshire Motor Speedway has been removed from playoff contention due to the addition of Homestead as a playoff venue. The offseason will include two breaks, with weekends off planned for April 5, coinciding with Easter, and August 2. This contrasts with 2025, which only had one weekend off in April before a stretch of 28 consecutive race weekends.
The opening month of the season features a sequence of races after Daytona, including Atlanta on February 22, Circuit of the Americas (COTA) on March 1, Phoenix on March 8, Las Vegas on March 15, Darlington on March 22, and Martinsville on March 29.
New Playoff Dynamics and Schedule Highlights
Phoenix, which has previously hosted the Cup Series Championship race, will host a pivotal role as the first race in the Round of Eight playoffs, following the transfer of the championship finale to Homestead-Miami Speedway. This adjustment reflects NASCAR’s strategy to balance traditional events with fresh excitement across the schedule. The final version of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series schedule is expected to be officially announced later this week, confirming the outlined changes and dates.
